How-To : LST (Low Stress Training)

[toastybiz]

Originally Posted by tn88

can LST be done with a hydroponic setup?

Yes .

[dankenstein]

Originally Posted by tn88

This may be a stupid question but what the heck - can LST be done with a hydroponic setup?

I am doing hydro and LST and it wasn't too hard, although it is not quite as efficient as other methods. I am using a 5gal bucket and lid with a net pot in it, but I am sure this method would work with a lot of hydro setups. All I did was go and buy some small eye screws, the ones with the closed circle on the end and a threaded point on the other end, about 3cm long. All you do is screw these into the lid of your rubbermaid or bucket and tie your restraints to these. I have about a dozen of these in a circle around the top of the lid, it is really easy to do and costs very little to implement. The nice thing is that you are tying the branches to the lid so when you have to take off the lid for flushing etc you dont have to worry about keeping another piece of equipment aligned with it or whatever. how are you doing hydro anyways?

[djb1z]

great tutorial bro

[MattC]

Hey I have a small plant thats been alive 47 days. It's starting to flower. Can I still LST or is it too late? If I still can how long do I have untill I shouldn't try it?

Thanks,
Matt

[MattC]

Originally Posted by MattC

Hey I have a small plant thats been alive 47 days. It's starting to flower. Can I still LST or is it too late? If I still can how long do I have untill I shouldn't try it?

Thanks,
Matt

Anyone out there?

[tn88]

Would LST be done the same way if using a hydro setup? I'm using 4" pots and I'm not sure there will be room.

Thanks!

[Coca-Cola]

Dierwolf, thanks for the guide man, it really helped me a lot.
I have a question about it though, for example if i tied down a plant and untie it a month later would it still be bent?

[EuphoricNoni]

This is an excellent tutorial. I'm thinking of doing this exactly with my upcoming first grow. I have a question though, by using metal hooks and digging them into the dirt, couldn't that be risky in that the hook can puncture or hit a root?

Also, why is it recommended to start on on the third leaf set and not the second or first? In other words, why not earlier...

[toastybiz]

That should be fine, but there are alternate methods that work just as well. I pre-drilled holes all around the rim of my pot and then use pipe cleaners, they're easy to adjust as the plant grows.

[Mork]

The way I've been doing it so far has been difficult to manage as time went on, but easy on the wallet and not too hard to work with, as long as you are sure-handed and patient. Just duct tape (after first using masking tape, which loses adhesivity at higher temps) over string, looped over branches.

An example from early-mid December (of my now starting-to-flower plant):


Around the time I changed it to 12/12, I installed a chicken fence screen cut in the middle to allow for placement around the main stem and lower vegetative growth. With this, I started using zip ties.

An example:


I also used zip ties tied at the cross point (the X) of two terminal branches that were growing too fast on their own, so they would start to grow away from each other and more spread out. (Also because they were too high to zip tie alone, forcing me to resort to string again, of which I am currently out of stock.)

I plan on cutting my zip ties/strings in perhaps 2 weeks- I think I may use more light space if I keep them on as they stretch and spurt right now, hopefully it will do more good than bad to keep them trained that long.

nanu nanu

[Mork]

I think the balance is to be struck between getting it trained early enough so that its not too hard to make the main stem parallel, etc. and not too early so that it uproots, breaks the stem or hinders growth. Those are the only obstacles that keep you from training as soon as your seed pops. Handle it!

Look at it this way- if you had a kid (don't know whether you do or not), I'd imagine that for his health you would want to keep him active and getting exercise as appropriate for the age - not too early, when he's/she's still developing bone strength and coordination, but not too late, once he's/she's become sedentary, lazy, unhealthy and/or obese. Bingo.

nanu nanu

[Mr.E-Blunts]

Kickass tutorial, DierWolf. I'll definitely be giving LST a try once I start my grow... Thanks for sharing.

Peace.

[bapro]

I have been perfecting my LST method ....... low lying main stems just above the surface of the soil .......then when they bloom , think out the underbrush ...

The plant tells you what it needs and when .....

These are only two plants ...... but they should bust out what i count as high as 22 colas EACH !!!! we will see how big they are

[jezlton]

Hi DierWolf, Can you help me, another bl$*dy begginer! can't seem to find anyone who can tell me what EC readings plants like at which stage?
I think it's related to P.H (5.7-6.3?). Please help as much as you can!!
Jez.

[DierWolf]

Originally Posted by Coca-Cola

Dierwolf, thanks for the guide man, it really helped me a lot.
I have a question about it though, for example if i tied down a plant and untie it a month later would it still be bent?

Yes it will stay bent.