LST: Low Stress Training for Cannabis

Hey guys, have you ever heard of Low Stress Training (LST)? If not, stay tuned because it could completely change your cannabis growing game. LST is a super gentle and mega effective way to get the best out of your plants - without stressing or damaging them. Especially if you're growing indoors and maybe don't have a lot of space, you'll love this technique. Here's everything you need to know about LST and how to get off to a flying start.

Low Stress Training (LST) for cannabis

What is low stress training?

Low Stress Training, or LST for short, is a technique in which you carefully bend and fix the branches and stems of your cannabis plants in order to steer their growth in the desired direction. Unlike High Stress Training (HST), where the plants are pruned or even injured, LST is very gentle. The aim is to minimise stress for the plants while optimising light distribution. The result? Stronger plants with more buds and higher yields overall. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Benefits of LST for cannabis

Increased yields: Probably the biggest advantage of LST is the increase in yield. By distributing light evenly to all parts of the plant, more buds can grow. No bud remains in the shade, so that each Flower is optimally supplied with light and nutrients. This leads to a significantly higher overall yield.

Optimum use of space: If you grow indoors and space is at a premium, then LST is just the thing for you. By bending and fixing your plants, they grow horizontally rather than vertically. This allows you to maximise the available space and accommodate more plants in a smaller area.

Improved air circulation: Another advantage of LST is the improved air circulation. Opening the plant canopy creates a more open structure that is better ventilated. This significantly reduces the risk of disease and mould growth, as the air can circulate better and moisture dries out more quickly.

Diskretion: Shallow plants are less conspicuous and easier to hide. So if you live in an area where discretion is important, then LST is ideal. Your plants will remain compact and inconspicuous, avoiding unwanted attention.

Low stress training is not only gentle, but also extremely efficient. With a little patience and the right techniques, you can achieve impressive results. So why not give it a try and see how your plants react? You'll be surprised how much potential your plants have!

LST for cannabis

Step-by-step guide to LST for cannabis

Vorbereitung

Before you start low stress training, it is important to prepare your plants and equipment. Choose young, flexible plants, as older plants are less bendable and more prone to breaking. You will need soft wires, cable ties or special plant training clips to hold the branches in place. Support poles or trellises can also be helpful to stabilise the plants during training.

Bending the plants

The first step in the LST process is to carefully bend the main stems and side branches. Make sure that you do not bend the plants too much to avoid breakage. Start slowly and feel your way forward step by step. The aim is to bend the stems so that they grow horizontally instead of vertically. This way, all parts of the plant will receive light more evenly.

Fastening the branches

Once you have bent the branches into the desired position, you need to fix them in place. Use soft wires or plant training clips to carefully attach the branches to the sides of the planter or to support poles. Make sure that the fixings are not too tight so as not to damage the plants. The fixings should hold the branches in their new position, but at the same time leave enough room for further growth.

Adjusting the fixings

Check the fixings regularly and adjust them if necessary. As the plants grow, you will notice that some branches become stronger and could become detached from the fixings. In such cases, you should loosen or reposition the fixings to further support growth. Make sure that the plants always have enough space to develop naturally.

Have patience

LST requires patience. The plants need time to get used to their new shape and adapt their growth accordingly. Give them this time and be patient. Within a few days, you will notice that new shoots appear and the plants become bushier and healthier. In the long run, you will reap the rewards of your patience by getting bigger and more potent buds.

With these step-by-step instructions, you are well equipped to successfully apply low stress training to your cannabis plants. Good luck and happy growing!

Increased yields with LST

Low Stress Training (LST) is a technique specifically designed to maximise the yields of your cannabis plants. By specifically manipulating the plant structure, you can ensure that each plant develops to its full potential. Here are the three main benefits of LST that lead to higher yields:

Uniform light distribution

One of the biggest challenges in cannabis cultivation is ensuring that all parts of the plant receive sufficient light. When growing naturally, cannabis plants tend to grow upwards, often leaving the lower branches and leaves in the shade. This leads to uneven development and reduced bud production in the lower areas.

With LST, you carefully bend the main stems and side branches downwards so that the plant grows horizontally rather than vertically. This method ensures that the light is evenly distributed to all parts of the plant. The even distribution of light allows the plants to photosynthesise more, resulting in uniform and vigorous bud development. No bud remains in the shade, so that every Flower is optimally supplied with light and nutrients.

Optimum use of space

Space is often a scarce commodity, especially when growing indoors. With LST, you can utilise the available space efficiently by growing the plants flat and wide instead of tall. This is particularly useful in grow tents or small growing areas where vertical space is limited.

By training the plants horizontally, you can accommodate more plants in the same space without them taking light away from each other. This results in a higher number of plants per square metre and therefore a higher overall harvest. The compact and flat growth form also makes it easier to care for and harvest the plants, as all parts of the plant are easily accessible.

Improved air circulation

Good air circulation is crucial to prevent disease and mould growth. Dense and bushy plants tend to accumulate moisture in the inner areas, creating an ideal environment for mould and pests. With LST, you open up the plant canopy and create a more open structure that is better ventilated.

By spreading the branches horizontally, you ensure that the air can circulate better through the plant. This significantly reduces the risk of mould and other moisture problems. Improved air circulation also helps to better regulate the temperature and humidity in the grow room, which promotes overall plant growth and health.

Effective methods for cannabis cultivation

Low Stress Training (LST) is just one of many effective methods to maximise the yield and health of your cannabis plants. In this section, we look at how LST can be applied to both indoor and outdoor growing, which accessories are helpful and which common mistakes you should avoid.

LST indoors vs. outdoors

LST in indoor installation: LST offers particular advantages in indoor cultivation, as vertical space is often limited. With LST, you can train your plants to grow flat and wide, allowing the light source (e.g. LED or HPS lamps) to hit all parts of the plant evenly. This maximises the use of light and promotes even growth.

• Control over the environment: Indoor growers have full control over light, temperature and humidity, which makes LST even more effective. You can shape and direct the plants in exactly the way that suits your growing space best.
• Diskretion: Flatter plants are less conspicuous, which is particularly advantageous in discreet cultivation situations.

LST in outdoor extension: LST is also a valuable technique in outdoor cultivation to increase yield and keep plants healthy. Outdoors, the plants can usually grow taller, and LST helps to control the height of the plants and make them grow wider.

• Maximum solar radiation: By training horizontally, you ensure that all parts of the plant receive an equal amount of sunlight, which promotes growth and bud formation.
• Improved air circulation: Especially outdoors, good air circulation can significantly reduce the risk of mould and disease.

Use of LST clips and other accessories

LST clips and other accessories are extremely useful to make training plants easier. Here are some tools you should consider:

• LST-Clips: These clips are specially designed to bring the branches into the desired position without damaging them. They are easy to use and reusable.
• Soft wires: You can use soft wires to fix the branches flexibly without damaging the plants. These wires are easy to adjust and hold the branches securely in position.
• Kabelbinder: Cable ties are an inexpensive alternative for securing the branches. Be careful not to tighten them too tightly to avoid damaging them.
• Support poles and nets: Support poles and nets can be particularly helpful in indoor cultivation to keep the plants stable and support training.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistakes can also be made during low stress training that can affect the growth and yield of your plants. Here are some common mistakes and tips on how to avoid them:

• Excessive bending: Be careful not to bend the plants too much, as this can break the stems. Bend the branches slowly and carefully.
• Fixations that are too tight: Fixings should not be tightened too tightly as this can damage the plants. Leave enough room for growth.
• Irregular control: Check the fixings regularly and adjust them if necessary. Neglect can lead to the plants not growing optimally.
• Ungeduld: LST requires patience. Give the plants time to get used to the new shape and grow regularly with the method.

Fazit

Low Stress Training (LST) is an impressive method that can help any cannabis grower achieve healthier plants and higher yields. Whether you're growing in a small indoor grow tent or outdoors, LST gives you the flexibility to control and maximise the growth of your plants.

Summary of benefits

• Increased yields: Due to the even light distribution, more and larger buds develop, which leads to a higher overall harvest.
• Optimum use of space: In indoor cultivation in particular, the limited space can be utilised more efficiently by growing the plants horizontally.
• Improved air circulation: An open plant structure improves ventilation, reduces the risk of mould and promotes the overall health of the plants.
• Diskretion: Flatter plants are less conspicuous and easier to hide, which is particularly advantageous in discreet cultivation situations.

Important aspects and techniques

• Indoor vs. outdoor cultivation: LST is effective both indoors and outdoors and helps to get the best out of any environment.
• Zubehör: LST clips, soft wires and support bars are practical tools that make training easier and more efficient.
• Avoid mistakes: Take care not to bend the plants too much, do not overtighten the fixings and check and adjust them regularly.

By combining LST with other growing methods such as ScrOG, SOG, supercropping and topping, you can further refine your growing strategy and realise the full potential of your cannabis plants. Each technique has its own advantages, and with the right combination you can achieve impressive results.

Patience and care are the keys to success with LST. With the right application, you can not only increase the yield of your plants, but also improve their health and quality. Try it out, experiment and find out which methods work best for your specific growing situation. Good luck and happy growing!