Low stress training is one of the methods used by cannabis growers in order to attain a higher number and quality yields. This is a much safer method than the high-risk, high reward method of high-stress training for cannabis plants. This LST method can be performed even by newbies as they begin their journey in experimenting with their plants.
This particular method is not only created for the purpose of cannabis; if you are very into plants, then you may also apply this technique in order to regulate the shape and height of the cannabis plant.
LST at a Glance
This training process is basically aimed to increase the number of yields of the marijuana plant, but not only that, but it is also being used to utilize the space allotted for the plant and to also allow the plant to receive ample lighting. LST is the process of manipulating the stems and stalks of the plant to let them grow at a certain height and direction by bending, trimming, and tying the plant itself. This process is commonly known to be done to Bonsai plants. By conducting LST, the plant allows all the stems and stalks an equal amount of nutrients, which in return will provide better yield, growth, and consistent potency levels across every bud.
Also, LST is done for a specific purpose as well; this is to take advantage of the space and the lighting system that is dedicated to the plant alone. As the plant is being tied down and evenly leveled, the plant will have the opportunity to receive light; this will increase the plant’s chance of having a lot of buds and leaves. Also, this is the best method that can be used by indoor growers as it will not require any modifications to the growing area that is currently existing.
Things Needed for LST
In order for you to effectively perform the process of low stress training, the tools listed below must be prepared.
- Cable ties, thin wire or soft plant tie-downs
- Thin wooden sticks or bamboo sticks
- Drill
- Strong Duct tape
This process may have some tools and materials involved, but this is a worthwhile sacrifice and effort in order for you to achieve your goal of having better quality yields. I strongly advise you not to use ordinary string, strong fishing line, or even a tough steel wire in tying down the plant as it may wound the stem that will cause the plant to die.
Set up your Container
As mentioned earlier, the cannabis plant needs its stems, stalks, and branches to be tied down. This can be accomplished by preparing the container or the plastic pot of your cannabis plant; you have to drill several holes to the pot where the plant can be tied to retain the direction you would like it to face and grow. By doing so, you will safely secure the plant without doing any damage to it and your grow area.
If you overdo the bending of the stalks and it causes it to break, the duct tape will be your friend and will act as the band-aid of the plant, and the wooden sticks are the main support of the plant’s base.
Low Stress Training Guide
Breaking the Dominant Stem
To begin with the whole process of LST training, the first step is bending the most dominant stem of the plant, meaning the tallest of the bunch. Naturally, the cannabis plant is similar to the Christmas tree when it comes to the shape; this is what we are avoiding because this will cause the plant to not receive a balanced amount of light all over it. When bending the dominant stem, use a thin, soft wire and tie it down to one of the holes that you have drilled. In this way, you will level out the plant and create a leveled canopy.
Maintaining the Shape of the Plant
Once you have done the first step, the plant will now grow horizontally, but the surrounding stems will surely force their way upwards. To maintain the shape of the plant, tie down the upward stems to the drill holes and ideally away from the dominant stem, this will give it a good outward shape.
As mentioned earlier, you may encounter an untimely instance of breaking the stem, as long as it does not completely fall off, you can still fix the problem by using duct tape; usually, the plant takes one to two weeks to regenerate, one that time elapses you are good to go.
The low stress training method is something that must be done religiously once it has begun; this is due to the fact that the plant never stops from growing, which is why continuous maintenance must be implemented. This will ensure the high quality yield you are dreaming of.
The Truth About Low Stress Training
Many people think low stress training is for cannabis plants only; practically, this can be done to the majority of flowering plants as well as fruit-bearing plants. After all, this is a method to manipulate the shape of the plant into the desired width and height. However, low stress training is not only for indoor growers as well; this can be applied to any type of growth methods. The truth is, all plant training came from outdoor plantations and have just been adapted by indoor growers. The low stress training method is one of the cheapest and safest ways to train a plant in order to have better and higher yields compared to high-stress training that has a huge possibility of severely damaging the plants.
Summary
Low stress training is one of the convenient methods to have a productive yield that can be conducted even by beginners. This is also a great way to gain more knowledge about that plant, the changes it undergoes, and also the behavior and reaction of the plant towards stress. By mastering this skill, this can become a beneficial attribute towards your whole cannabis cultivation journey.
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