Hey everyone, I’m working on a SCROG concept that’s basically a simple modular frame plus built in LST guidance, and I’d love some feedback before I start prototyping.

What annoys me about normal SCROG nets:

I always end up hating the usual string/elastic nets. They’re fiddly, they sag, spacing is fixed, branches get stuck when you need access, and adjusting anything later is just annoying. So I’m trying to build a rigid, adjustable “grid” that still works like SCROG, but is easier to use during the whole grow.

Core idea:

Mount a rigid SCROG frame directly to the tent side poles. The frame uses aluminum round rods. Instead of a string net, it uses two layers of sliding rods so you can start with tight spacing early on and gradually widen spacing as the plant grows.

How it works:

Tent has 4 corner poles: A1 front left, A2 back left, B1 front right, B2 back right

Lower layer: a left rail between A1 and A2 and a right rail between B1 and B2

On these rails, multiple rods run left to right and can slide forward or backward (to position and guide branches early)

Upper layer (slightly higher): a front rail between A1 and B1 and a back rail between A2 and B2

On these rails, multiple rods run front to back and can slide left or right

Since the two layers sit at slightly different heights, both sets can slide without interfering

Why I think it’s useful:

Early veg: rods close together to guide small branches into “lanes” immediately (LST style)

Later: you slide rods apart to open spacing without rebuilding the SCROG

It’s basically SCROG structure plus LST anchor points in one system

Build plan:

	•	Aluminum round rods for rails and cross rods

	•	All connectors (corner pole clamps + sliding end clips) will be 3D printed (likely PETG)

Note:

I also have a couple AI generated concept images to communicate the idea, but they’re not perfectly accurate (just for visualizing the concept).

Questions:

	1.	Would you actually use something like this, or is it overkill vs a normal net?

	2.	Any obvious issues (stability, branch damage risk, access for watering, cleaning, etc.)?

	3.	What rod diameters would you recommend (rails vs sliding rods)?

	4.	If you’ve used rigid frames before: what was the most annoying part, so I can design around it?

Modular SCROG + LST hybrid (sliding rods) with 3D printed connectors – feedback?