Cannabis cultivation techniques: Pot vs. hydroponics, Sea of ​​Green (SOG), Screen of Green (ScrOG)

Cannabis cultivation offers a variety of techniques and methods for achieving optimal harvests. In this article, we'll take a closer look at four popular cultivation techniques: pot cultivation, hydroponics, Sea of ​​Green (SOG), and Screen of Green (ScrOG).

1. Pot cultivation:

Advantages:

• Simplicity: Growing in pots is easy and requires only basic equipment.
• Mobility: Pots can be easily moved to protect plants from adverse weather conditions or to move them to a sunnier location.
• Control: Pots allow for more precise control over the soil and nutrient supply.

Disadvantages:

• Limited root growth: The limited size of the pot can restrict root growth and limit the size of the plant.
• Watering: Pots require regular watering as they tend to dry out faster than larger soil areas.

2. Hydroponics:

Advantages:

• Faster growth: Plants grown in hydroponics often grow faster than those grown in soil because they have direct access to nutrients.
• Efficiency: Hydroponic systems recycle water and reduce water consumption compared to traditional soil cultivation.
• Control: Nutrient supply can be precisely controlled to optimize plant growth and development.

Disadvantages:

• Complexity: Setting up a hydroponic system can be complex and may require advanced knowledge and skills.
• Susceptibility to failure: Hydroponic systems are more prone to failures such as pump failures or pH fluctuations, which can negatively impact the plants.

3. Sea of ​​Green (SOG):

A Sea of ​​Green is a cannabis cultivation technique in which many small plants are planted closely together per square meter of space. The advantage of this method is that the plants spend less time in the vegetative phase while still producing the same number of buds per square meter. With SOG grows, the buds are ready sooner, which can lead to an additional harvest per year.

A SOG is usually done from cuttings. This ensures that all plants exhibit the same characteristics (growth rate, height, etc.), resulting in a beautifully uniform flower canopy. You can also grow from seeds, but it's important to use seeds of the same strain. Ideally, you should avoid tall and lanky sativas. You should keep your plants at the same height under your grow light to achieve even growth.

Advantages:

• High yield: SOG systems maximize space and light output to grow a high number of plants in a small space.
• Fast turnaround: Because the plants are brought into flowering early, the growing time is shortened and allows for multiple harvests per year.

Disadvantages:

• Space requirements: SOG systems require a large number of plants and can appear crowded in smaller spaces.
• Less control: The close arrangement of plants can make air circulation and access to individual plants difficult.

4. Screen of Green (ScrOG):

A Screen of Green is a plant training method with the same goal as a SOG: to increase yield per square meter at harvest time. However, this method involves growing far fewer plants and using larger pots to achieve a larger root zone, which in turn results in larger plants. The even distribution of light across a proverbial net of green helps produce an abundance of even-sized flowers from just a few plants.

Advantages:

• Even light distribution: The ScrOG system allows for even light distribution to all parts of the plants, which can lead to improved development and higher yields.
• Control: By training the plants under the net, their growth direction can be controlled to ensure even coverage and optimal light output.

Disadvantages:

• Labor-intensive: Setting up and maintaining a ScrOG system requires regular training and pruning of the plants, which can be time-consuming.
• Experience required: ScrOG requires some experience and knowledge of plant growth and cultivation techniques.

Overall, the various cultivation techniques used in cannabis cultivation offer a variety of options for growers with different needs and preferences. By weighing the pros and cons of each technique and considering your individual cultivation requirements, you can choose the best method for your specific growing goals.