Low stress training, or LST, simply means bending and tying the plants to train them in a form that grows more efficiently. Typical highly stressful techniques such as topping, fimming and supercropping all fall under the category of circumcision to increase yield and are not part of LST. All three are discussed in detail with a special attachment guide. Our focus here is more on training cannabis plants than cutting off parts. LST can of course also be combined with the techniques for maximum yields, especially with topping and the ScrOG method. In this guide to cannabis growing, we will simply explain the LST for you, but also how to combine LST with other techniques for maximum yields.
It is always best to start the LST on flexible plants that are still growing. The stem and shoots tend to become harder and develop a thicker bark as the flowering progresses. That makes the LST risky. However, hopeless situations sometimes require the most determined way out. LST is the preferred last resort. It is better to bend the thickest flowers away from the grow lamp than to risk being burned by the light in late bloom. But be careful, because LST after the first three weeks of flowering can often end in a break, because it ends in a bend. But don't panic if you actually break a branch. Bandage the wound with tape. Most growers who plan to use LST to increase yields start early. US growers prefer the 4-way LST method. This requires cutting off the top of young plants and then tying down the 2 new and the 2 lower side shoots until the whole ultimately forms a cannabis bush. This is a mixture of topping and LST, which can later be woven into a ScrOG. However, an extended growth phase is required to enable this mix of methods.
The more European LST style is pure LST without snapping off. European growers prefer to allow the plants at least 2-3 weeks of undisturbed growth before putting their hand on the cannabis plants. No cutting off of the tips and no topping with scissors. Instead, the main stem is treated the same as the side shoots by tying them down to fill the remaining side space with branches. Some additional time in the growth phase could be necessary for this. However, the plants will recover faster than if they are pruned. This type of LST is preferred by growers who grow autoflowering cannabis and want to increase their yields without long recovery times.
To successfully use LST on your marijuana, you need a few simple tools, a steady hand and patience. Let's start with the tools necessary for LST. You will need some soft garden wire or a pack of plant ties or a roll of hemp twine. Yes, you really don't need much for cannabis LST. Cable ties and cords are quite old school and can cut into the stems if they are tied too tight. We therefore recommend soft plant binders or soft garden wire, especially for beginners. If you are particularly clumsy, support your cannabis with bamboo and tie the tied-down parts to the post with soft wire. Before you start with the LST, you also have to prepare your pots. Drill a few holes in the top of the pots or containers. Next, bend the still flexible fresh shoots with the soft wire. Finally, run the wire through a hole in the pot to hold the tied-down shoot in place - your LST is ready. Do the same with the surrounding shoots. Continue with the LST until you are satisfied with the size of your grass bush. By attaching all of the tied branches to the pot, the grower can still pick up and move his cannabis plants without having to undo the LST. Autoflowering growers don't have that much time to mess around. Although early LST on larger super cars can do wonders in just a few weeks. Further care is necessary in the development of the plants. More specifically, the additional new growth also wants to be tied down and tied down. LST cannabis growers want to be carefully monitored. The grower must control vertical growth and promote lateral growth in order to promote a dense plant roof of the cannabis bushes.