What is Low Stress Training (LST) and how can I implement it in my cannabis grow?
One answer “LST for Cannabis Plants”
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What is Low Stress Training (LST) and how can I implement it in my cannabis grow?
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Low Stress Training (LST) is a type of pruning technique used by cannabis growers to manipulate the shape of the plant while it is still in its vegetative stage. The main aims of Low Stress Training (LST) is to encourage the plant to produce more buds and a higher yield, and to enhance the overall quality of the flowers.
Low Stress Training (LST) helps to alter the shape of the cannabis plants by training it in a specific way by using string, stakes, or small metal wires to manipulate the shape of the branches, stems, and leaves. The technique is ‘low stress’ for the cannabis plants as it does not involve detaching the stems or branches from the plant, as is the case with pruning or topping. Instead of cutting the branches or stems off, LST involves manipulating and ‘bending’ them into a desired shape.
The main benefits of Low Stress Training (LST) include greater yields, better air circulation, shorter flowering times, improved canopy management and eventually bigger buds. The manipulation of the cannabis plants by using LST can help to spread the canopy of the plant, meaning more light will be able to reach all parts of the cannabis plant. This in turn means a more even distribution of light, resulting in an even growth pattern, improved growth rate, and eventually a higher yield.
Implementing Low Stress Training (LST) in your cannabis grow is actually quite a simple process that can be done over the course of one or two days. The first step is to carefully choose the branches or stems that you would like to train or manipulate. The branches and stems you choose should have at least 4 nodes, as these branches and stems are more likely to be able to cope with the manipulation required for LST. Once you have chosen the branches and stems that you would like to manipulate, you need to create supports that can hold the branches/stems in place. You can do this with string, stakes or small metal wires, depending on the size of your plants and the amount of manipulation required.
Once the supports are in place, you need to slowly and carefully bend and manipulate the branches and stems into the desired shape. The main aim of the LST is to spread out the cannabis plants canopy and encourage the cannabis to produce more of what are known as ‘nodal sites’. These nodal sites can help to produce more buds and encourage a higher yield.
It is important to know that LST is not a one off job, in fact, the job is never actually finished. LST creates stress on the cannabis plants and therefore needs to be monitored and maintained, and adjusted according to the progress of the cannabis plants.
In conclusion, Low Stress Training (LST) is an effective and low-stress technique that can help any cannabis grower to increase their overall yield and improve the quality of their plants. Although it is a simple process to implement, it needs to be monitored and maintained according to the development of the cannabis plants, and the overall shape of the canopy. LST can help to improve the light flow, and therefore benefit the plant by providing an even growth pattern, better air circulation and eventually larger and more vibrant buds.