Low Stress Training ~ LST'ing with hardware and wieghts

jangel · 06-24-2008, 02:06 PM

Hi Folks. I have been working on this for a while and thought I would make it more readily available to those interested.

My theory is to make the main cola bend over as in traditional LST'ing but without tying strings or drilling holes, etc. In my opinion this is much easier to do this way. This is to make the side branches as tall as the main cola and therefore have those bushy plants with all colas we all strive for. From what I have read, it is better to leave the main cola growing and get the others to reach for the sky as well, (although there are many opinions on this) so essentially you have several "main colas" on all your branches.

In traditonal LST'ing you bend the main stem around gradually, from 12 oclock, then 3, then six on the clock, etc. I have done the same here, but it is hard to see that. What I have found is that you can easily do this IF you do it gently and DO NOT put the full wieght of what you are using on the stalk of the plant. If you put the wieght, on the dirt inside the plant, or on the table, with JUST enough wieght to keep the stem in the position you wish, that you can place it in with your hands, then your plant will do the rest. It is a process, slowly taking the main stem in a circle and will give you a bushy plant.

For this I have used chains, thin and thick, of all sizes. I have used wire with bolts tied to it. I have used the cover off wiring from our electrical upgrade. It does not matter what you use, the limit is your imagination. It is the balance that is held by the wieght and the plant, that does the job. The trick is to have JUST enough wieght to keep that branch or stem where you want it and NOT to break the branch. You can feel this once you have done it a bit. I have broken a few so don't panic if it happens! IF it is not broken right off, you can fix it and it will heal. I will do that part last.

Okay. I hope you like pictures 'cause I got a ton!

jangel · 06-24-2008, 02:09 PM

PLEASE any one have any comments or questions please post 'em!

jangel · 06-24-2008, 02:12 PM

Now we will follow plants through this process. Here is the first one.

This is 12 from a to j.

jangel · 06-24-2008, 02:16 PM

Here is 13.

jangel · 06-24-2008, 02:19 PM

More 13.

jangel · 06-24-2008, 02:23 PM

Here is 14.

jangel · 06-24-2008, 02:26 PM

More 14.

jangel · 06-24-2008, 02:30 PM

Here is a pair of plants I did together with a long chain. The wieght of the chain keeps the branch down, but resting the extra chain on the table takes all the extra wieght off the stem and only adds enough wieght to hold the branch as you want it.

jangel · 06-24-2008, 02:36 PM

Here are more shots of 15.

jangel · 06-24-2008, 02:51 PM

If you happen to crack or split a stem first off DO NOT PANIC! This can even have a good affect on the growth, so no worries! I keep a roll of electrical tape with me, even when planting outside as it is perfect for this use. It does not stick to the stem of the plant, only sticks to itself and is not difficult to remove once the plant has healed.

BUT REMEMBER YOU MUST REMOVE IT. IT CAN KILL THE GROWING AND EXPANDING STEM ABOVE IF IT IS NOT REMOVED.

Here we go. I have included a pic of a tree that had string on it and died. This is what happens if the tape is not removed.

Low Stress Training ~ LST'ing with hardware and wieghts

Advanced growing techniques