Level up your indoor cannabis garden with the Sea of Green (SOG) method. Get the biggest yields by growing many small cannabis plants and triggering the flowering phase early for a fast harvest.
Here, we’ll show you how you can set up your SOG garden.
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The Sea of Green (SOG) method is a low-stress training (LST) technique that involves growing several small plants simultaneously in a tight space instead of a few larger plants.
Growing that many plants in a limited area creates the appearance of a “sea of green.”
The SOG method requires shortening every part of the plant’s two stages of life: the vegetative and flowering stages. Shortening the vegetative cycle speeds up the time to flower and triggers the plants to flower early for a faster harvest and a large yield.
The continuous and fast harvests are one of the best parts of growing the SOG method. With a bit of experience, you can run your grow like a well-oiled machine.
Here are some of the benefits of the SOG method:
The SOG method may not be for everyone, but it can provide growers with a steady and sizeable supply of cannabis buds throughout the year.
Here are some drawbacks of the SOG method:
On average, the yield is higher per square foot than traditional growing techniques. The SOG plant yield depends on various factors, including the plant’s genetics, duration of vegetative and flowering stages, grow light efficiency, and more.
Under optimal growing conditions, you can yield about half an ounce per plant or up to an ounce. If you’re growing 10 plants per square meter, you may have a yield of about 10 ounces. You may be able to harvest every 45 days and have several harvests per year.
We recommend growing one plant per square foot or two at most. Growing more than this amount can create a crowded environment, increase the risk of pest infestations and disease, and reduce the amount of light each plant gets.
Here’s what you need for a complete SOG set-up:
You will use one pot throughout the growing cycle for a SOG grow, from clone to harvest. We recommend using a 2-3 gallon pot. This size is ideal for growing a plant 12 inches tall, the height when you can trigger the flowering stage.
The Sea of Green method can be done with seeds and clones, although clones work better in this environment because they are at the same growth stage and grow the same size.
Start with at least 4 plants for this method since it won’t work with fewer plants. Ensure your grow lights are evenly lighting the entire canopy.
Set one plant per square foot throughout your grow space and give them 18 hours of light until your clones are 10-12 inches tall. The duration of the vegetative stage depends on your growing needs. Some growers may end the vegetative stage when young plants are barely six inches tall or about 4-6 weeks old.
You decide when you want to trigger the flowering stage, which involves switching the light cycle from 18/6 to 12/12. Twelve hours of light and 12 hours of darkness make plants start growing buds. Plants are ready for harvest when most trichomes have turned from white to amber.
The success of your crop depends on many factors, including your plants’ genetics. We recommend growing indica strains, which have a fast flowering stage, have a single cola, and grow short.
Sativas, on the other hand, tend to grow taller and at a slower pace than indicas. If growing sativas using the SOG method, consider topping the plants a few days before triggering them to the flowering cycle.
Cannabis clones are the best option for the SOG method. Clones should be the same size (about 3-6 inches is ideal) and from the same mother plant. This ensures they grow at the same pace and height as they go through the same growth stage.
Seeds are usually not recommended for SOG since you must care for them during the germination and seedling phase. Clones have already been germinated. In addition, seeds may grow at different heights, forcing shorter plants below larger ones that get all the light.
Here are a few tips to level up your SOG grow:
While the SCROG approach comprises fewer plants that are trained to grow through a screen, the SOG method emphasizes a high density of small plants with low vegetative development. On the other hand, the SCROG method encourages a broader spread and more even canopy.
It is advised that one plant be grown for every square foot of space; however, this proportion can change based on the size of the pots and the particular strain that is being cultivated. Certain cultivators may install as many as four tiny plants in each square foot of space.
Because of their compact growth pattern and faster flowering durations, indica or indica-dominant hybrid strains are typically recommended for single-located growers (SOG) setups. Indica strains naturally grow shorter and bushier than other types of strains.
The vegetative stage of a SOG grow is often brief, typically lasting between two and three weeks. This is because the objective is to shift to the flowering stage as soon as the plants have formed a strong root system from which they can grow.
When it comes to the essential equipment for a SOG grow, it is comparable to that of other indoor grows. This includes high-quality lighting, fans for air movement, and possibly a carbon filter for odor containment. The number of pots and how they are arranged to make the most of the available space is the primary distinction.
Although individual plants in a SOG arrangement might provide lower yields, the overall yield per square foot might be quite high due to the large number of plants that are contained within the space. By using this method of cultivation, the potency of the buds is not impacted in any way.
The answer is yes, autoflowering strains can be utilized in a SOG setup. In many cases, these strains are great because of their smaller size and shorter flowering time. On the other hand, as compared to photoperiod strains, the overall yield can be lower per plant.
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