Scrog ?

LST is how you get SCROG or SOG. I always do it and fill my tent without to much height. Take a look at my diaries. You don't have to use a net. I don't like them because I can't rotate the pots or remove them to defoliate

It depends on what you're doing and your tent size etc... If you want to grow multiple plants in a small space, I would just go with a short veg cycle (3-4 weeks) and use LST (clips or ties) to get an even canopy. If you want to grow one or two plants and get max yield, again in a small space, then I would scrog with topping and LST, and then veg for 6+ weeks. You could also explore main lining if you had the time. Best of luck!

Many ways to accomplish this, but in general it's a good idea to stay away from very stretchy strains. I definitely recommend SoG, I don't think I ever have the lights that high above the top of the pots & you get photoperiod power at autoflower speed :) You can check my diaries for an easy SoG technique that works well in tight spaces.

So Growing sideways as soon as its over the edge of the pot is the only option and good practice. Have the pots ins the middle so then grown outwards and that should give you higher sides and shorter middle if tackled properly.. good luck

I can comment though wahahaha just to give the other more context "High. I cannot reply to ur answer. I forget to write it down in the question, I have 4 autoflowes. The cabinet is 200 cm tall, but once the carbon filter, lights, and 20L pots are all in, that vertical space gets eaten up really fast, leaving me with limited headroom. So you reckon I should take the risk and go with a ScrOG? I’ve been searching all over the internet for videos and tutorials on how to actually do it step-by-step, but nobody seems to break down the exact mechanics of how to execute it properly on an auto."

Indoors scrog is the way! I am starting to get tiered of saying the word though lol. kind of like living soil. even though i use it think it needs a better name. that's the only problem with it. just kinda of a weird word to say. other than that great cannabis technique. idk when ever is see liek the lst green tie downs i feel like its torturing the plant like some sort of cruel punishment lol

both can accomplish the same thing.. if this 'total' is including space between canopy and lights, it's incredibly tight. You only have about 2' above the pot to work with. might want to sog it.. many plants, and 12/12 from seed... they won't get more than 2' tall without any extra effort to control it.

I would scrog it. It will help keep the plant down. Lst would work too, but would be more work imo. I agree to top it first as another said. Then if scrog is done properly, you can keep the plants low before switching to flower. If the stretch gets away from ya in early flower, you can always super crop it to bring it back down. Either way, its gonna get a bit tricky in the space you have but definitely doable. Just my thoughts, Best of luck! Happy Growing!

Want at least 58 inches, you are trying to do it in 38, not impossible but the final weeks will be very difficult without a reasonable burn zone, make sure your intake and exhaust are tickety boo or such a small space can go wrong fast, I wouldn't scrog as your first attempt indoor. To pull off 38" indoor without running out of headroom, you need lst with some fundamentals. Top your plants above the 4th or 5th node during early vegetative growth to split the main stalk into multiple dominant pathways, immediately keeping the profile short and bushy. Use rubber-coated garden wire or BudTrainer LST Clips to train the branches flat and outward toward the edges of the pot. Think of making the plant look like a wide steering wheel rather than a Christmas tree. Do not let the veg growth exceed 25–30 cm in height. Cannabis can double (or triple) in size during the initial 2-3 week flowering stretch. Depending on strain. Prune away the lowest 20-30% of shaded growth right before you trigger the flowering cycle. This improves airflow under your dense canopy and prevents wasted energy on tiny "larf" buds. Best of luck.

Use a SCROG net. That way, you’ll be on the safe side. Once the stretch really kicks in, it can sometimes become quite difficult to keep tying the branches down properly without putting too much tension on them. In my opinion, using a SCROG is gentler and easier to control. Good luck, my friend! 🤝🌱💚