Screen of Green
Some plants need advanced methods to maximize their potential; One of these is the Screen of Green (ScrOG) technique. The idea is to get the branches to grow sideways instead of upwards so that the flowers are better able to get light. This technique is usually used indoors, but also works outside. There are five steps to the Screen of Green Technique:
Step One:
Make sure to use proper screen material
It needs to be robust and able to handle the load of your plant’s branches when they are fully developed. There are many choices for this material, including plastic trellis netting, rope, and metal, it all depends on your setup. It must be strong, with two-inch square holes.
Step Two:
Put the screen in place
Installing the screen should happen when your plants are vegging. Lower the screen as uniformly as you can, while feeding the branches through the holes. Try to get the branches halfway through the squares, then attach them permanently. Double-check the branches, if any got shoved down, make sure to feed them through, so that they go directly up.
You can alternatively put the screen above the plant and let it grow up into the screen, where you arrange the branches when they reach the screen. This style minimizes the stress on the branches.
Step Three:
Interlace the branches
The idea is to get the most light to the branch limbs. There should be 10-20 branches through your screen. Start on the outside, moving the branches outwards, weaving them as you go, enlarging the area exposed to the light. Weave over then under, stabilizing the branch. This allows for better airflow to the lower sections of the plants. Don’t worry about the ends of the branches not facing up, they will adjust to the light. Towards the middle of the branches, you might run out of screen. Now it’s time to top off that area. Cut off the top nodes at a 45° angle. You are looking for an even canopy, be patient and continue manipulating until you are satisfied.
Step Four:
Trimming
Trim all the branches that won’t receive light, under the screen. They will sap energy away from the productive areas of the plant, and be crappy, not producing good buds. Also trim downward growing branches, for the same reason.
Step Five:
Observe and adjust
Keep a close eye on your plant’s growth, and adjust and weave where necessary. Cannabis grows very fast in the first three weeks, so it’s imperative to monitor your ScrOG to keep it copacetic.
Good Luck!
The Screen of Green Technique is used to maximize your growing area by placing your plants together, creating a canopy to maximize lighting and airflow coverage in limited space, and to train tall plants to grow more horizontally, saving headspace and increasing light exposure. Using ScrOG has been known to double, and sometimes even triple, yields.
Some great candidates for the Screen of Green Technique below:
| Strains | That Thrive | Using ScrOG |
|---|---|---|
 Gold Leaf Feminized |  Sour Diesel Feminized |  Purple Kush Feminized |
 White Widow Feminized |  Pineapple Haze Feminized |
