The Sea of Green (SoG) Method for growing marijuana helps reduce cultivating times. Growers may also enjoy higher yields with this growing method. It trains your plants to start their flowering stages at an early period. In doing so, the strains will use their canopy with greater efficiency as compared to using traditional cannabis cultivation techniques.
This method for growing marijuana is useful for grow areas with small spaces. Growers may expect to see large yields, faster flowering times, and an efficient way of using lighting in the area. The final output may also be ideal sources of trimmings and future clones.
What is the SoG Method?
The idea of using the SoG Technique is to plant many small cannabis strains in a small area instead of a few larger plants. The main advantage here is to make full use of what little space you may have for your grow area. Also, lighting doesn’t become an issue as each plant will take in a sufficient amount of heat and light from your lighting fixtures. If you require each plant to only grow half as tall as intended, then it’ll take less time to harvest with this method.
“Sea of Green” refers to the thought of planting many marijuana strains together. The view may seem like a bed of color green in your grow area. Each plant won’t get very large when you’re using this technique. Harvest times will shorten by a few weeks in return. Since you’re making use of the space that you have to fill the area of your preferred marijuana strains, you get the same or even greater amount of yield from cultivating larger plants.
The Pros and Cons of the SoG Method
Pros
Cons
The same or greater yields as compared to planting larger strains. Little effort to spend during training. Faster harvest times. An option to grow different strains in one area at once.
Needs more time for preparation and maintenance. Not an ideal choice for growers with plant limitations. Mold and mildew growth increases because of higher humidity due to plants crammed together.
How to Make Use of the SoG Method
The SoG Method for growing marijuana is ideal for any grower regardless of skill level. Beginners and veteran cannabis cultivators can start using this technique at any time. Perhaps the most important aspect to begin using this process is to understand the concept.
Start by buying some fast-growing Cannabis Seeds. Do your research first and see which marijuana strain grows faster than others. Germinate the seeds until they’re strong enough to handle transplanting. Aside from using seeds, some growers may choose to create the bed of marijuana plants using clones. If you plan to opt for this path, ensure all clones have similar sizes. In doing so, you can treat all the plants in your garden in similar fashions.
Once your strains are strong enough, transplant your baby plants to separate pots. You may also wish to put all your buds into one large container. Remember to have at least 1 square foot allotted per plant. Next, place the garden under your preferred grow lights. Leave your strains there for about 18 to 24 hours. This photoperiod should continue for approximately two to three weeks. Growers may also wait until your plants become 10 to 12 inches tall.
By the time your plants reach this height, you need to switch their photoperiods. It’s now time to give your strains 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. This new lighting regimen will force your marijuana plants to their flowering stages.
Your marijuana plants will soon show signs of their genders. Separate your strains as soon as you know which are males and females. You don’t have much use for the male plants unless you want a constant supply of seeds at the ready. The females, on the other hand, will form a thick canopy of buds. Some lower branches on the female strains may not give you much use at this point. Carefully take away these lower branches to help save effort during harvest time.
It’s not a recommended option to throw those branches. Only separate these parts to help you grow some clones. If the branches have a minimum of three nodes, then there’s a better chance of your clone turning into a female plant.
Wait for your marijuana plants to fully bloom so you can harvest them. Remember, different marijuana strains call for some differences in maintenance procedures. Once again, it’s important to do your research as not all cannabis plants require the same maintenance procedures. For example, some plants may require more trimming than others while there are strains that may need more light.
There are also some plants that make it possible to transplant them when they still have six inches in height. Other plants may require more room to grow before the transfer. Each garden is unique so you should adjust some steps of the SoG method to fit your requirements. Even though you might make some changes, the technique is still one of the easiest and simplest procedures to grow marijuana.
Ideal Strains for the SoG Method
Some cannabis strains thrive more when you use the SoG Method as compared to other marijuana plants. Here are seven strains that may tickle your interests if you’re planning to use SoG for your next marijuana garden.
Many cannabis connoisseurs know of the Northern Light strain. This bud is a classic as it’s widely known in many marijuana communities. The spicy flavor may surprise first-time users but the taste will soon soothe the tongue with subtle earth tones.
The heritage of this strain traces back to powerful landraces of Afghanistan and Thailand. Its effects are both euphoric and relaxing when they hit. This combination of effects can help deliver potent soothing effects to calm both the body and mind. Consumption of this bud can help soothe depression, treat insomnia, and relax the muscles to properly deal with a range of physical pains.
Perhaps the most endearing quality of the Northern Light strain is its powerful highs. The plant is also easy to cultivate as it has a quick flowering time. Growers who wish to use the SoG method for this strain may shorten its development stages by a few weeks without compromising quality.
Critical is another great strain for the SoG Method thanks to its short flowering time of 7 to 8 weeks. Its heritage brings an Indica-dominant bud able to soothe and relax the bodies and minds of its users. The combination of Afghan and Skunk strains will yield Critical.
Growers can expect large yields but do be wary of its strong skunky aroma. There are, however, some traces of blueberries and chocolates mixed with its pungent scent. While it’s relatively easy to grow, Critical doesn’t like warm and humid climates. Some grow areas may require more than adequate spacing between plants if you opt to cultivate this strain.
3. Bubblegum XL
A highly recommended strain for users with sweet teeth is Bubblegum XL. This plant has a highly appealing aroma of berries, flowers, and candies. The sweet scent makes its highs an even more relaxing treat than other similar strains.
This balanced hybrid can adapt to different growing conditions which makes it an ideal choice when you want to use SoG. Consumption of Bubblegum XL hits both the body and mind to relax and uplift moods. Users looking for creativity or fun during and after smoking sessions may seek out Bubblegum XL seeds for their indoor grow areas.
The plant is manageable but it’s not fond of too much humidity and dampness. As stated in an earlier section, the SoG method may bring unnecessary humidity because of the spacing in between plants. Make sure there’s plenty of air to circulate around the area when deciding to grow Bubblegum XL.
4. Haze Berry
Haze Berry is an Indica-dominant strain to help ease and treat physical pains and mental stress. Its original breeders combined the Afghan, Thai, and Purple strains together to form a relaxing bud. The plant even has antioxidant properties thanks to its Purple heritage.
Growers who take advantage of the SoG method to cultivate Haze Berry needs a cool indoor climate for the plant to thrive. Fans may be a requirement for indoor grow areas if you want better-than-average yields from this strain.
Another iconic strain known throughout many cannabis communities is the White Widow. It’s famous for its strong mental highs that begin with tingling sensations to the face. Once the strong potency of its effects kicks in, uplifting feelings of happiness and joy easily banishes traces of anxiety and stress.
Consumption of the White Widow strain will fill mouths with an earthy taste. There are also faint hints of citrus in its flavor. This bud is even quite famous in cafes located around Amsterdam. If you’re looking for a truly green cannabis plant for your sea of green, then the White Widow may be one of your top choices.
6. U2 Kush
U2 Kush is an Indica-dominant cannabis strain that flowers in about 8 to 9 weeks when grown indoors. Cannabis cultivators who make use of the SoG method may shorten its flowering time by a few weeks. Enter a room filled with plants of this strain will envelop the area with sweet earth scents.
Consumers of the U2 Kush strain will enjoy potent and blissful mental highs. Its effects will then move to the body as users may move to a relaxing surface like a couch thanks to the bud’s highly sedative effects. Consuming this strain is useful for treating a range of symptoms like body pains, physical tensions, and inabilities to sleep.
7. Royal Dwarf
Crossing a Skunk strain and a ruderalis bud will yield Royal Dwarf. This hybrid cannabis strain has Indica-dominant properties. Users who consume this weed will plow through any social conversation with ease. Introverts who have trouble conversing with other people may want to use this strain to help ease away tensions before talking.
Aside from adding a talkative element to its consumption, the Royal Dwarf cannabis strain also has some medical applications. Consuming it will help treat symptoms like headaches and spinal cord injuries. This plant grows within a 6- to 7-week period but may shorten thanks to the SoG method.
Tips to Enhance Productivity When Using the SoG Method
Like any other cannabis cultivation method out there, there are ways to enhance yields and productivity with the help of certain factors. For one thing, remember to use small pots for small plants when taking advantage of SoG.
Remember, floor space and air circulation are vital components of this cannabis cultivation technique. A balance between plant is a necessity so as not to produce unwanted moisture. Proper distance between pots may also help circulate light better as compared to having a constricted garden. For example, most 7-liter pots will have a 19-centimeter diameter. These pots can snugly fit 4×4 plants in one square meter.
Aside from using the right spacing, some growers who take advantage of the SoG technique may think there are some special procedures to germinate seeds. In truth, there are none; just germinate the seeds as you would do with traditional marijuana growing methods. Make sure to always give your young plants the same care and attention as you would do with industry standard techniques. Remember, the healthier your plants are at the beginning, the higher the chances of larger yields come harvest time.
Also, bear in mind that SoG is a light and air manipulation procedure. There’s little training required for your plants. Most cannabis strains don’t even require any training at all with the help of SoG. Make sure to allow 1.5 to 2 weeks for your plants to establish a strong canopy before you do any transplanting.
Many marijuana growers already know the effectiveness and power of using the Sea of Green method. It allows you to enjoy and maximize yields without compromising the quality of your crops. We hope our guide helped you in gaining a better understanding of this cannabis cultivation technique.
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