The low stress training It is a useful, economical and intuitive method to ensure that each of your cannabis plants performs at its best. It is a non-invasive cultivation technique that allows the plant to grow leaves and flowers in every direction, simply by using a game of ties in its growth phase.

What is LST and what varieties is it suitable for?

Low stress training is a technique that can be used on any plant, even on cannabis and without distinction between photoperiodic and autoflowering. In our previous article on how growing autoflowering plants we said that this type of hemp is simple to grow and that the growth of the flowers is based only on its level of maturation: it is true however that using the Autoflowering LST training we can maximize this growth, because we stimulate the plant to produce more secondary branches.

The low stress training autoflower consists of using gardening wire to gently bend the main stem of the plant in a horizontal direction, so that it grows parallel to the ground rather than vertically upwards. This helps to distribute light evenly and to promote more robust and productive growth. Once new secondary branches have emerged on the side most exposed to the sun, another tie can be made in the opposite direction to have a full and uniform result. The cannabis plant subjected to low stress training autoflowering will produce more buds usable for consumption.

When can LST be applied?

Why the low stress training outdoors or indoor really works it is important to apply it at the right times. In fact the seedling must be young enough to bend easily, but not too thin to avoid the risk of damage.

Cannabis to be subjected to LST outdoor must be in its elastic phase, i.e. in vegetative growth. The same goes for indoor. Basically there are no big differences except that when you are indoors you can change the position of the lamp instead of tying the plant. If this is possible there is no point in doing LST indoors, but if for any reason the lamp is fixed and cannot be moved, apply the same steps.

You can start with a very young plant that has developed at least one internode. It is advisable to bend it gently and use a rubberized wire to avoid damaging the thin stem. As the hemp grows, it is bent with other wires, always in correspondence with the most “solid” points of the stem.

Low stress training step by step tutorial

Let's now see in practice how to perform the low stress training technique on cannabis.

1. Make sure the plant is ready, that is, in the vegetative stage and in good health. Get rubberized tape and scissors. Work with gloves.
2. Identify the main branches of your cannabis seedling, as these will be the key points to focus on during the LST process.
3. Very delicately, bend the main branches downwards and laterally.Avoid bending the branches too sharply to avoid damaging the plant: LST aims to stimulate lateral growth, so try to maintain a rather wide angle. Repeat this process for each branch you wish to train or even just the stem if your hemp is very young.
4. Check your plants regularly to make sure that the trained branches have not straightened. Make sure that the ties do not tighten the branches too much and that they do not hinder their growth. If everything is ok at this point you can remove the ties and let the plant develop freely, thus taking light also in new points.
5. In the LST process it may be necessary, in some cases, to proceed with a selective pruning: this involves cutting some leaves or branches with scissors to promote the penetration of light and the growth of lateral buds.

By following this tutorial, you should be able to successfully apply the LST growing technique to your marijuana plants. Remember to be patient and gentle during the process to avoid damaging your plants and maximize your yields. Good luck with your grow!