1. What is LST? The revolutionary cultivation method for your grow box explained
LST, or Low Stress Training, is an innovative technique that is making waves in the world of cannabis cultivation. This method allows you to gently shape your plants and optimize their growth without putting them under stress. The goal? Maximum yields with minimal effort!
The principle behind LST
At its core, LST is about changing the natural growth habit of your cannabis plant. Instead of simply letting it grow upwards, you gently bend the branches to the side. This breaks apical dominance - a botanical phenomenon in which the topmost bud inhibits the growth of the lower branches.
By gently bending you achieve the following:
- More even light distribution to all parts of the plant
- Better air circulation between the branches
- More flowering points and therefore potentially higher yields
- More efficient use of the limited space in your grow box
Why LST is particularly suitable for grow boxes
In a grow tent, space is often limited. LST helps you make the most of this space. You can grow your plants flatter and wider instead of tall and narrow. This is especially important when you have to work with limited height.
| aspect | Without LST | With LST |
|---|---|---|
| Growth form | High and narrow | Flat and wide |
| Use of light | Uneven | Optimized |
| Earnings potential | standard | Increased |
LST is not only effective, but also gentle on your plants. Unlike more aggressive techniques such as topping or supercropping, which damage or remove parts of the plant, LST relies on gentle manipulation. This means less stress for your cannabis plants and a shorter recovery time.
The science behind LST
When you bend a cannabis plant, it responds by pumping more growth hormones into the now higher-positioned side branches. These then begin to orient themselves and grow more upwards. The result is a bushier plant with several evenly spaced main branches instead of one dominant central stem.
This redistribution of growth hormones leads to a more efficient use of the available energy and nutrients. Each branch now has the chance to develop into a strong, productive branch. In the flowering phase, this means more and more evenly distributed flowers - exactly what you need for a rich harvest!
With LST, you give your cannabis plants the opportunity to reach their full potential in the confined environment of a grow tent. It is a technique that cleverly combines science and nature to take your growing results to a new level.
2. Step-by-step guide: How to use LST in your cannabis grow box
Low stress training may seem complicated at first, but with the right approach it quickly becomes routine. Here you will learn how to use LST step by step in your cannabis grow box.
Preparation: What you need
Before you start, make sure you have the following on hand:
- Soft plant ties or garden twine
- Small holes on the edge of your plant pot (if not already present, drill them carefully)
- Scissors for any adjustments
- Clean hands and a steady hand
Step 1: Choose the right time
Start LST when your plant is about 3-4 weeks old or has reached a height of 15-20 cm. At this stage, it is flexible enough to be bent without breaking.
Step 2: Bend the main trunk
1. Choose a point about 10-15 cm above the ground.
2. Carefully bend the main trunk to the side until it is almost horizontal.
3. Fix it with a plant tie to one of the prepared holes in the pot.
Step 3: Training the side shoots
Once the main stem is bent, the side shoots will grow upwards. Let them grow about 5-7 cm, then:
- Carefully bend these to the side, away from the center of the plant.
- Fix them with ties as well.
- The aim is to create a fan-like structure.
Step 4: Regular adjustments
LST is not a one-time process. Check your plant every 2-3 days and adjust the bindings:
- Loosen bindings that are too tight to avoid constrictions.
- Bend new shoots that grow too tall.
- Remove ties from branches that have "learned" their position.
Tips for advanced LST
Once you have mastered the basics, you can try the following techniques:
| Technology | Description | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Spiral LST | Bend the main stem in a spiral around the pot | Maximum use of space |
| LST + Topping | Combine LST with careful tip trimming | Even bushier growth |
| Selective LST | Focus only on the most promising branches | Focused energy management |
Avoid common mistakes
When using LST, beginners can make some typical mistakes:
- Bending too much: Be careful to avoid breakage.
- Neglect: Regular monitoring and adjustment are important.
- Starting too late: Start early enough to shape the plant in its growth phase.
With a little practice and patience, you will quickly become an LST pro. Remember: every plant is unique and reacts differently. Watch your cannabis plants closely and adjust your technique accordingly. Over time, you will develop a feeling for how much training your plants can tolerate and how to achieve the best results.
LST is an art that requires practice. But don't worry - you'll get better with each round and your yields will thank you. Good luck training your green athletes in the grow box!
3. The 3 most common LST mistakes and how to avoid them
Low stress training is an effective way to increase your cannabis yields. But as with any technique, there are pitfalls. Let's look at the three most common LST mistakes and learn how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Bending too aggressively
The most common beginner mistake is bending the plants too much or too abruptly. Cannabis plants are amazingly flexible, but don't overdo it.
Symptoms:
- Broken or cracked trunks
- Plant shows stress symptoms such as wilted or discolored leaves
Solution:
Be gentle. Bend the plant slowly and gradually over several days. If you feel resistance, stop and wait a day before continuing. Remember: it's called low stress training for a reason!
Mistake 2: Uneven training
Another common mistake is to focus too much on individual branches and neglect others. This leads to unbalanced growth.
Symptoms:
- Some branches grow significantly stronger than others
- Uneven light distribution in the plant
Solution:
Look at your plant as a whole. The goal is to create an even "canopy". Train all the main branches equally, making sure that no area is neglected. Use this simple scheme:
| Week | focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bending the main trunk |
| 2-3 | Forming the first side shoots |
| 4+ | Fine-tuning and balancing |
Mistake 3: Neglecting the plant binders
LST is not a "one and done" process. Many growers forget to check and adjust their bindings regularly.
Symptoms:
- Constrictions on the trunk or branches
- Dead or discolored areas at binding sites
- Plant "overgrows" the bonds
Solution:
Make it a habit to check the ties every 2-3 days. Loosen them if they become too tight and adjust their position as the plant grows. Use soft, stretchy materials such as special plant ties or wide fabric bands to minimize injuries.
Bonus tip: The importance of observation
The key to success with LST is careful observation. Every plant is unique and reacts differently to training. Keep a grow diary and note:
- When you bent which branches
- How the plant reacts
- Changes in growth and health
Over time, you will develop a feeling for what your plants need and how you can optimally adapt the LST to their individual growth.
Always remember: LST is a gentle method. Your plant should never show signs of excessive stress. If you notice that something is wrong, take a step back and give your plant time to recover. With patience and attention, you will soon be a master of this technique and can enjoy magnificent, evenly grown cannabis plants in your grow box.
4. LST vs. other training methods: Why low stress training is the insider tip for beginners
As a beginner, it's easy to lose track in the jungle of cannabis cultivation techniques. But don't worry, we'll take a comparative look at LST and other popular methods to show why low stress training is so attractive, especially for beginners.
LST vs. Topping
Topping, or cutting off the main shoot tip, is a popular technique for encouraging bush growth, but how does LST compare?
| aspect | LST | Topping |
|---|---|---|
| Stress level for the plant | Low | Medium to High |
| Recovery time | Minimal | Several days |
| Risk for beginners | Small amount | Medium |
While topping can be effective, it carries a higher risk for beginners. LST, on the other hand, allows you to gently shape your plant without traumatizing it.
LST vs. Supercropping
Supercropping, the controlled crushing of the stems, is an advanced technique. How does it compare to LST?
- LST: Gentle bending without damaging the plant tissue
- Supercropping: Intentionally "injuring" the stem for stronger growth
For beginners, LST is the safer choice. It requires less tact and minimizes the risk of accidentally damaging the plant.
LST vs ScrOG (Screen of Green)
ScrOG uses a net to train the plant horizontally. It is in some ways an extension of LST.
Benefits of LST for beginners:
- Less equipment needed
- More flexible in application
- Easier to learn and use
ScrOG can be very effective, but requires more experience and planning. LST is the ideal starting point and can easily be expanded to ScrOG later.
Why LST is the insider tip for beginners
LST combines several advantages that make it the ideal entry-level method:
- Low risk: The chance of seriously damaging your plant is minimal.
- Flexibility: You can make adjustments at any time without irreversible interventions.
- Learning effect: You develop a feeling for the growth behavior of your plants.
- Gradual process: You can proceed slowly and carefully, perfect for beginners.
- Cost-effective: No expensive tools or equipment required.
The gentle path to success
As a beginner cannabis grower, you face many challenges. LST offers you a method to increase yields without overtaxing yourself or your plants. It's like having a gentle conversation with your plant, where you learn to understand its needs and guide its growth.
Remember, every growing method has its place. As you gain experience, you may want to try other techniques. But to start, there is hardly a better choice than LST. It allows you to build your skills step by step and achieve impressive results.
Start with LST, observe your plants closely and enjoy the learning process. Over time, you will become an expert in the growth behavior of your cannabis plants and can make informed decisions about which other techniques you want to add to your repertoire. LST is not just a cultivation method - it is the beginning of your journey to becoming a master grower!
5. Yield explosion: How to increase your harvest by up to 30% with LST
Low Stress Training (LST) is not just a technique for hobbyists – it is a powerful tool to significantly increase your cannabis yields. In this section, you will learn how to use LST to increase your harvest by up to 30%.
The science behind increasing yield
LST works by changing the natural growth habit of the plant. Here are the main reasons why LST leads to higher yields:
- Improved light utilization: Horizontal growth allows more light to reach the lower branches.
- Increased number of main shoots: Every bent branch becomes a potential main shoot.
- Optimized nutrient distribution: The plant distributes resources more evenly across all shoots.
- Reduced stress: Compared to more aggressive methods, the plant recovers faster and can put more energy into growth.
LST optimization for maximum yields
To exploit the full potential of LST, consider the following tips:
| Tip | Implementation | Expected benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Early start | Start LST when the plant has 3-4 nodes | 5-10% more yield |
| Regular adjustments | Check and adjust every 2-3 days | 10-15% more yield |
| Combination with lollipopping | Remove lower, shady shoots | Additional 5-10% yield increase |
Case Study: LST in Action
An experienced grower, let's call him Tom, experimented with LST in his grow box. He compared two identical plants of the same variety:
- Plant A: Without LST
- Plant B: With LST
The results were impressive:
- Plant A produced 80 grams of dried flowers
- Plant B produced 104 grams – an increase of 30%!
Tom also reported improved flower quality on the LST plant as they were more uniform in shape.
Frequently asked questions about increasing yields with LST
Q: Can LST be used on all cannabis strains?
A: Yes, LST works on all strains. Indica-dominant plants often respond particularly well to it.
Q: How long does it take until I see results?
A: The first effects on growth are visible after 1-2 weeks. The full effect is seen in the flowering phase.
Q: Can I use LST during the flowering phase?
A: Careful LST is possible during the first few weeks of flowering. After that, you should leave the plant alone to avoid stress.
Final thoughts
LST is a powerful but gentle method to significantly increase your cannabis yields. With practice and patience, you can achieve a yield increase of up to 30%. Remember: consistency is key. Regular, gentle adjustments will produce better results than sporadic, aggressive interventions.
Start small, observe carefully and continually adapt your technique. Every plant is unique and over time you will develop a feeling for how to optimize LST for maximum yields. Document your progress and compare the results of different runs. With this scientific approach you will soon be a master of low stress training and can look forward to magnificent, high-yielding harvests.
Always remember: Good growth takes time and patience. But with LST you give your plants the best conditions to develop their full potential. Good luck with your next harvest!
