LST (Low Stress Training)

Hiya everyone. I have a few questions about LST. I read DierWolf's guide over at GrassCity's Forums and was told to start at 3 to the 5th node. I'm currently at my 3rd node, but I was wondering if there was a way to do it without circling the plant around the pot. Is there a way to just pull the leaves out into the light? Any good guides on how to do this?

I feel that I'd like a normal grow but I don't like the idea of one cola, also I don't want to top my plant, I'd like to just pull the leaves to the side.

you dont have to circle the plant around the pot, you can just tie down branches if you want them to get more light or make your plant bushier

Oh hey - here's a nice thread to check out International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - LST training in detail. Why bushes are better



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Really it doesn't matter when you do it as long as the stem is still soft enough to bend. Make sure you start with a counter tie in the opposite direction your gonna bend it otherwise it might get uprooted. With shape you are actually rather free to experiment. If you just want it to be a slight bush you may only bend it once in its whole life. If you want a shorter and fat plant then continue to train it on its side as the main stem grows. You can also top it and train the tops all out to the side of the pot for a crazy bush. Remember though the harder it is for the plant to support its own weight the harder it will be for it to continue growing.

What you need to do is get the tip of the main shoot--its apical meristem-- below the tops of the lower branching growth. This induces the redistribution of auxins into the axial growth and results in rapid and vigorous branching. Training in a circle is just a recommended practice as it helps to ensure that all of the new branch shoots that will begin to spread and grow upwards have a little room to work with. I like to use a gentle upwards spiral myself.

If you're going to train to the side at all and not just pull the top over make sure you use a counter-tie at the base (and anywhere else the main stem is going to be recurved, if you want to be really meticulous.)

Using a silicate supplement or a growing medium with a high silicate content can be very helpful when doing LST as it aids in the production of stronger stems. I use Higromite in my soilless mixes and my hydro net pots with great results.

My flowering closet looks kind of like a SCROG, but it's all done with LST for now.

this one has 2 main ties. one at the stem to prevent up-rooting and another one near the cola pulling the opposite way. then right at flower the other 'main branches' were pulled off to the side and you get this. 9 main "cola's"

the many different main colas you get, would they all be the size of the main cola if you didn't LST or would they be a bit smaller. Is this done to increase yields or for space reasons?

cookin said:

the many different main colas you get, would they all be the size of the main cola if you didn't LST or would they be a bit smaller. Is this done to increase yields or for space reasons?

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i would think they will be a little smaller but with many true ?

this is my first try so I'm not 100% sure of what im doing, plus there was a lot of stress on the plant for the first month of veg..anyways I should have done this a bit earlier when it was vegging I think. But at the same time I should see a lot of nice size buds along with the big, fat main cola. It will be cool to see what happens with her when she is done though.

weedyoo said:

i would think they will be a little smaller but with many true ?

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yeah your probably right, but still want to know if this increases yields. Also does this work well with every strain or do some not like it?