Limited Stress Training(LST) - horticultural

Limited Stress Training

note: this like my other one still needs some stuff i just post them here so i know where too find them plus i can see what the BBcodes come out like etc should have both finished by tomorrow.

Introduction
The idea of Limited Stress Training(LST) is to limit the height that your plants grow. There are many reasons too do this in all aspects of horticulture. The methods vary from snipping the tip of the plant through typing it down all the way too the “pinch and roll” method also SCRoG will be covered later.. I will try too cover all of these methods in this guide.


Snipping (Tipping) plants
This method is a good way too encourage several of the smaller lower stems too get more nutrients and light and perform better as well as too shoot 2-3 more stems out where you cut. This method is pretty basic all you will need is a Stanley blade of some sort(sterilised if possibly). I like too cut just above one of the nodes(about 2-3 from the top is good) as close as i can too the fan leaves/stems growing from this node without damaging them. I would then prepare this piece as a clone and plant it too pre-sex the plant. See the cloning tut in my sig

Tying down
Again a very simple method requiring string(i prefer too use rubber coated wire of some sort its softer on the plants) and a hook or nail. You want too hook the wire around one the node BELOW the level you want the plant too come back too. Wrap the string around the nail and start pulling it down slowly until the plant is at approximately a 45degree angle let it sit for a bit then gently pull it down too around 90degrees. Tie off the string and put back outside/under lights. You will want too adjust it the next day or day after that so that your string is at the next node out too keep the plant lower. The overall idea of this is that you want too move the main top away so that the stems under it can grow through too the light.
I do this about 1 week before flower on all my plants.

Pinch and roll
This method is one most people wouldn’t want too try coz they think they are hurting their plants. But requires no materials. You pinch the stem between your thumb and pointer then twist it about 45degrees, the stem looses its strength as the tough hemp fibres are split but can still carry water/nutes up. Then just bend it down too sideways, it will spring back up after a day or so but just lightly pinch it again and bend it over again.
This method was recently showed too me by a friend and at first i was a bit iffy but after he showed me how too do it and what the effects were i started doing it with the stems i CBF tying down.

SCRoG
This is self explanatory ill just post a picture, you build the mesh canopy then just weave the stems around under it letting the tops through at nicely spread locations

 

Here is a pic of my SCRoG screen, tucking the branches under it means the plant only gets to a certain height, yet there is maximum light coverage to the appropriate areas everything under the screen is cut off