Sea of Green, usually abbreviated “SOG,” is a method of growing marijuana that forces flowering at a young age.
The plants will have only been in a vegetative state for about two weeks. This method allows you to harvest much earlier than growing your plants normally.
Information about Sea of Green (SOG) growing
Benefits of Sea of Green (SOG)
So, what are the benefits of the SOG technique? It’s really used when space is limited in a grow room. It allows you to maximize your space without sacrificing yield.
When you put the plants into flowering stage with a 12/12 light regimen, you can fit more flowering plants into more space.
The yield of a single plant might be smaller, but the Sea of Green yield you get cumulatively will be larger.
Better harvests and more marijuana
SOG growers generally have time constraints, as well. Certain marijuana varieties take longer than 10 weeks to complete their vegetative cycle. With the SOG method, you get more harvests and more marijuana. This is a method employed by larger operations where a consistent supply is required.
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Growing cannabis under artificial light means that you need to make use of that light more efficiently. This is because you’re paying the electricity bill, but also because you want to get the most out of your plants.
Many grow rooms are set up to light plants from above. With this system, the upper leaves and branches cast a shadow on the lower sections, meaning that there is always part of the plant that’s not receiving as much light.
When you pack the plants in close proximity, you create a canopy of buds that makes the most out of your light. One big HPS light will only give you one option for lighting, but multiple HPS grow lights will give you greater light coverage across your entire crop.
The SOG technique is especially useful with large quantities of cuttings from a cloned marijuana plant.
It saves you from having to buy seeds and also ensures that your plants will be female and of high quality.
Also read How To Make Marijuana Clones
SOG grows typically don’t require pruning, but some growers like to tidy up the lower branches below the canopy.
This helps the plant put its focus on the main bud and improve the overall flow of air underneath the canopy. You can also clone these cuttings and provide another bunch of SOG plants to keep the system on repeat.
How to use the Sea of Green method
You don’t need to have any special skills for the SOG method to be effective. All you really have to do is understand the concept. The lack of a need for training and pruning makes SOG one of the easiest methods for growing weed.
Step-by-step guide to SOG
Time needed: 45 days, 12 hours and 5 minutes.
Below you’ll find a simple step-by-step guide to the Scrog method:
- Germinate
Germinate seeds or take cuttings to create clones
- Grow
Grow them using 18 to 24 hours of light until they reach around 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) in height
- Spacing
Space the plants out at about 1 or 2 plants per square foot (30cm by 30 cm) and change the lighting regimen to 12/12 to force flowering.
- Fimming
Once a dense canopy of buds forms, trim the branches beneath and use them for clones.
- Harvest!
Harvest when you’re ready.
Some growers start a 12/12 lighting regimen when the marijuana plants are only about 6 inches tall. Likewise, some growers may pack the plants more or less densely depending on their preference.
‘You can pack short plants tightly together in a “sea of green” (SOG) or a “screen of green” (SCROG) to maximize yield.’ ~ Jorge Cervantes
Requirements will change depending on the variety and the grow room. Use this guide as a base, but make adjustments as necessary for your particular situation.
SOG systems generally work better with indica varieties because of their short stature and single primary cola. Sativas can work, but they are typically too “leggy” for the SOG system to work well. Best is to top sativa strains a few days before changing the light cycle to 12/12.
Sea of Green grow guide
SoG Grow Guide | Propagation (Early-Stage) | Vegetative Growth | Flowering |
---|---|---|---|
Avg. Light Intensity | 150-200 | 200 increasing gradually to 450-500 | 450-550 Increasing to 700-800 |
Photoperiod | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Ambient Room Temp (Day) | 70-72 0F 21-23 0C | 80-85 0F 26-29 0C | 80-85 0F 26-29 0C |
Ambient Room Temp (Night) | 60-20 0F 16-21 0C | 70-75 0F 21-24 0C | 70-75 0F 21-24 0C |
Ambient Relative Humidity (Day) | 100% until rooted, within 4-7 days, then vent to 80% | 75-80% (early) 55-67% (mid/late veg) | 55-67% (early) 60-62% (mid/late veg) |
Ambient Relative Humidity (Night) | Same as daytime, see Propagation section below fro more information. | 75-80% (early) 55-67% (mid/late veg) | 55-67% (early) 42-57% (mid/late veg) |
Vapor Pressure Deficit (Day) | 0 | .67-1.00 (early) 1.11-1.80 (late) | 1.11-1.80 (early) 1.28-2.00 (late) |
Vapor Pressure Deficit (Night) | 0 | .50-.75 (day) .82-1.34 (night) | .82-1.34 (night) 1.07-1.73 (late) |
CO2 Enrichment | – | 1200-1500 | 1200-1500 |
Strains for SOG growing
Indicas that are good for Sea of Green method
Sativas that are also good options when topped
Have you tried the Sea of Green technique? Please feel free to share your experience in the comments!
Happy growing!
Robert
Other Pruning Methods
Besides Sea of Green (SOG), there are more techniques to prune your plants for more yield. Find a short explanation in my pruning article, or head directly to a technique below:
- Manifolding
- Monstercropping
- Supercropping
- Defoliation
- Sea of Green
- Screen of Green
- Topping
- Fimming
- Schwazzing
- High Stress Training
- Low Stress Training
- Mainlining
FAQs about the Sea of Green (SOG) method
Sativas can work, but Indicas are generally more fitting.
SOG allows you to maximize your space without sacrificing on yield. It is very well suited for commercial growers.
Combining Indica and Sativa varieties is tricky. Pests and diseases can spread rapidly, and it takes more time to tend the plants (large number of plants).