Training cannabis plants for higher yields doesn’t need to be complicated. One of the most effective techniques is the Screen of Green (Scrog) method, which uses a mesh screen to guide branches into an even, horizontal canopy. This approach increases light exposure across all bud sites, improves airflow, and encourages the development of multiple large colas instead of a single dominant top.
Although Scrog is commonly used with photoperiod plants, it can also be highly effective with autoflowers when applied correctly. Since autoflowers have a shorter vegetative phase, timing and gentle training are essential. With the right setup, growers can maximize limited space and boost overall productivity.
In this guide, you’ll learn how the Scrog method works, why it suits autoflowers, how to set up your grow space, train your plants effectively, and maintain a healthy canopy for optimal results.
What is the scrog (screen of green) method?
The first time I ever saw a cannabis Scrog, I was blown away at how many colas were growing at once. The Scrog is one of the easiest ways to take your yield to a whole other level. When using photoperiods, growers will grow one massive plant that has been trained over a long vegetative phase. The following explains why the Scrog method works well for autos and highlights the potential disadvantages of using autos for a Screen of Green setup.
Why should you scrog autoflowers?
Autos are fast, resilient and easy to grow, but if you're cultivating autoflower seeds, Scrog is one of the best ways to maximize your grow space and encourage an even canopy. Well, if you want to make the most out of your grow space and produce an even and uniform canopy of big, frosty colas, then Scrog is the way forward!
- Autos will benefit from greater light spread and penetration
- The plant will produce many large primary and secondary colas
- Ideal for growers who only want 1-2 plants at home
- You increase your chances of a maximum yield
What are the disadvantages to scrog with autoflowers?
I am a big fan of the Screen of Green technique for growing photoperiods; however, there are some disadvantages with autos and the Scrog method.
- Plants may not grow tall enough to make it worth it
- The grow space may be efficiently used
- Some strains may not be suitable for Scrog
Preparing your grow space for a screen of green
Preparing your grow space properly to accommodate a Screen of Green set-up will make a huge impact on how well your plants grow and yield. This means selecting the right pot, determining the most suitable net type, and deciding how much space to keep between the net and the canopy, as covered below.
Selecting the right pots to scrog
The pot size should be large enough to produce a large-sized autoflowering plant. Growers who prefer growing only 1-2 large plants will prefer the Scrog method. The bigger the pot, the easier it will be to train the plant through the net. I would recommend using 30-50L pots and avoiding repotting autos.
What type of scrog net should you choose?
There are many different nets you can use for your Scrog grow. The most important thing is that the net can be easily removed in an emergency and raised as and when needed. Below are the different options you have:
- Metal chicken wire 3 inches in size with a wooden frame
- 20mm diameter bamboo cane tied into a grid formation
- Fabric trellis net with 4-inch squares
- Growth shoots will need to easily pass through the net
Appropriate spacing for the optimum scrog grow
The goal of a successful Scrog is to carefully manipulate the plant's structure and guide the branches through the screen. By the time your autoflowers begin flowering, most of the screen should be filled with developing primary and secondary bud sites.
- Make sure the gaps in the screen are at least 3 inches wide
- Avoid chicken wire with small-sized gaps
How to grow autoflowers using scrog
Once you feel your grow space is set up and ready to go, the next step is to get the plants inside the tent, place the screen over, and then maintain them during the vegetative and flowering stages. In the following, we explain what to consider at each step.
Setting up your scrog net
First, secure the Scrog net in an area where it can be placed above the plant or plants. Building a wooden frame to house chicken wire is highly recommended, and securing the frame to the tent poles with cable ties makes it easy to raise or lower the screen. If you are using a fabric trellis, then you can also tie these securely to the tent poles.
For the first 5 weeks, your goal will be to fill as many of the squares in the net as possible. After this point, your autos will begin to flower, stretching, increasing in size, and then focusing solely on flower production.
- Make sure the growth shoots can pass through the net without being squashed
- Metal wire can cut and sever side branches and stems if the holes are too small
- The net should always be adjustable and easy to lift up and lower when necessary
Training your plants to create an even canopy
Using plant training techniques on your autos at the right time will produce a much bushier structure and canopy. Scrog works especially well alongside low-stress training (LST) for autoflowers, as both methods rely on gently spreading branches to improve light exposure.
- An even canopy produces consistently sized buds
- Light spread and penetration are fully efficient
- An even canopy keeps airflow consistent
Maintaining your scrog grow during the vegetative stage
From the day you germinate your autoflowering seeds until your plants begin flowering, your job is to train them and carefully feed the growth sites through the screen. If the canopy becomes too dense, understanding when to defoliate autoflowers can help improve airflow without slowing growth. When done correctly, from above, your screen will be full of green leaves and shoots, and underneath the screen will be only stems and side branches.
Maintaining your scrog grow during flowering
Most of the hard work is done during the vegetative stage; however, once your autos begin flowering from day 35 onwards, they will stretch and grow as tall as possible. At this point, you can prune away leaves or shoots beneath the screen that receive little to no light. This is similar to lollipopping autoflowers, where lower growth is removed so the plant can focus its energy on the upper canopy.. Maintaining proper airflow and ventilation is key to preventing mold and high humidity around the buds.
- Keep the temperature at 24 degrees Celsius
- Keep the humidity levels between 45% and 50%
- Use oscillating fans to create air currents
Autoflower scrog best practices & risk management
Using the Scrog method can pay off big time when done right; however, there are a few practices to keep in mind. This means low-stress training for enhanced light penetration, sustained airflow and ventilation, and, when the time to stop screen training and focus on flower production is near, to prevent overtraining.
What LST methods can I use to make scrog more effective?
The low-stress technique involves tying cannabis plants down to effectively open up their shape and produce a significantly higher number of colas. Tying your autos down early can improve light spread, strengthen side branches, and help create an even canopy. Some experienced growers may also use supercropping autoflowers, although this should only be done on healthy, vigorous plants.
Sustaining airflow, ventilation and light penetration
Whilst the upside of the Scrog method is producing a massive harvest in a small space, the downside is that the abundance of colas may be susceptible to mould if airflow and ventilation are not on point. As long as you have correctly trained your auto through the net, then you will not need to worry about light penetration.
- Poor ventilation will result in temperature fluctuations or hot grow rooms
- Oscillating fans will create air currents and produce fresh air around the buds
- Below the screen, there should be no signs of foliage or growth
- The screen should not have any empty spaces with light
When to stop using scrog to prevent overtraining
I recommend you have the plants spread open and growing through the Scrog net by day 30. Trying to manoeuvre and bend older plants through the net may result in a broken or snapped side branch. You should never remove the screen once your autoflowers are well established in flowering, do not disturb the plants, or continue to train them through the net.
Frequently asked questions
Can you Scrog any autoflower strain?
Yes, although some autoflower strains are better suited to Scrog than others. Medium to large-growing sativa-dominant and hybrid varieties typically produce longer branches that are easier to train through the screen, making it easier to create an even canopy.
When should I install a Scrog net for autoflowers?
Install the Scrog net before the branches reach the canopy, usually around weeks 2–3 of growth. Positioning the screen early allows you to begin guiding branches through the net as the plant develops without causing unnecessary stress.
Does Scrog increase the yield of autoflowers?
Scrog can help increase yields by creating a flat, even canopy that exposes more flowering sites to direct light. While results depend on genetics and growing conditions, properly trained autoflowers often produce more uniform buds and make better use of the available grow space.
When should I stop training autoflowers through the Scrog net?
Continue tucking and guiding branches through the screen during the early growth and stretching phase. Once the plant has finished stretching and flowering is well established, stop training and allow the colas to develop naturally.
What size Scrog net is best for autoflowers?
The ideal Scrog net size depends on your grow space and the number of plants you're growing. For a single large autoflower, an 80 × 80 cm (32 × 32 inch) screen works well, while larger grow tents may require a bigger screen or multiple sections to support additional plants.
