LST questions; Grow advice/help needed

[cauqazn]

Hey fellas, just a few questions regarding my current grow. This is my first grow, so I'm hoping that I'll end up with a decent yield and will not have wasted my money and time. Any tips, advice, help would be appreciated.

Basic info:
-Outdoor grow, southern US
-Mandala Speedqueen, Safari Mix
-AK97

Don't you use LST techniques to provoke more growth tips?
Two Questions

LST question
I have started LST for a week now, the plants have been bending upwards toward the sun, however I have not noticed any new grow tips. Do I just need to give the plants more time? I have just been tying the tip down running the stem along the outside of my pots... is this the correct way to LST?

Light-exposure question
Also, I do believe that light exposure is a problem with my grow at the moment, can anyone confirm or deny this for me? I have to grow outside and because it is a stealth grow, my plants are surrounded by other vegetation, which does block some sunlight. My plants have been vegging for about 6 weeks yet my plants still look quite small. Are they moving too slowly generally speaking?

[karmaxul]

If you over list them you will have alot of light popcorn nugs. I would let them grow naturally and you will produce much more. When I would tie plants down I would only put pieces of tshirts around the stems as the dental floss will start to cut off circulation in a couple of days. Are you growing in bark?

[cauqazn]

Originally Posted by karmaxul

If you over list them you will have alot of light popcorn nugs. I would let them grow naturally and you will produce much more. When I would tie plants down I would only put pieces of tshirts around the stems as the dental floss will start to cut off circulation in a couple of days. Are you growing in bark?

The string I used is actually thread, with a noose at the end to accommodate for any increase in stem size. I think they will be fine, I would hate to see them get cut :\

[Hottbody]

You need more time...... I don't even think about LST my plants until they are about 3 feet tall! I went out and started LST 3 days ago and finished today. (78 plants takes a bit of time and LOTS of garden twine and my hands hurt from all the knots I had to tie) BUT ---> The plants I did on the first day are already bending up towards the sun and sending up new leader growth! Here are a couple of photos of the last plants I did today....










I will give them a few days and then update with some new photos so you can see how they do after LST growth is underway.....

Kisses -
Hott