When do you start LST

[Jerry Garcia 2007]

Greetings,

I am currently debating between toping or LST.

I am knowledgable about toping, but not LST.

When do you start LST?
I have 15 plants in a 4x4 space. They are 4.5" to 3" tall on there 4th or 5th node, 2.5 weeks old, and extreamly healthy.

Any advice will be very helpful. Plus any links to a diagram of how to perform LST will help.

[blink_inc]

This might help..
It taught me a few things.

How To LST (Low Stress Training) - Marijuana Growing (http://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/6834-how-lst-low-stress-training.html)

[Storm Crow]

I wait until there is about 1 1/2 inches after the 4th node. I top and start the cuttings under 12/12. This forces them to sex and if they root, Hurrah! A free plant! I kill the males and repot the females to one gallon pots. The "sexing" clones fill in the spots left by the males in 32 ounce paper cups to be transplanted when they get big enough.

As soon as I top the plant, I start LSTing them. I use bamboo skewers and twist ties and also bolts attached to twist ties (like Xmas ornaments). The ties on the skewers are made into an upside down "U" and hold the stems so they are horizontal. This combined with topping makes the plant put out side shoots. This is GOOD! Each side shoot will develop a cola. :D

As the plant grows, I move the stakes out so the plant keeps growing horizontally. When they are about 12 inches across, they go to 12/12. My plant are short (6 to 10 inches high) but they cover the 18 x 24 tubs I grow in-- and it's all budded! :thumbsup:

Anyway, that how I do it! - Granny

[Jerry Garcia 2007]

Thank you very much!!!

That link was exactly what I was looking for.
seemed to be the easiest way to do it was with bending a piece of coat hanger and works very well.
Storm Crow why do you top just for clones and sexing?
I was to nervous to try it at this time. I would like to hear more opinions on that before doing it.

I have completed the first step and did it just in time as the stems were still soft. I did leave all the fan leaves except the very bottom one's that were pointing directly into the soil.
Is ok to leave the fan leaves and let them respond by turning to the light then only remove when called for?
Also will this add to my veg time?

[Storm Crow]

Well, I like to know if my plants are males or females BEFORE I go to the bother of transplanting. Males don't make it out of the 32 oz cups! I'm going to top anyway, to promote side shoots, so I have more buds. Why not let it go a week or two longer and get a "freebie" plant and be able to sex the plant at the same time? It just makes sense to me.

If I get a real "winner" from my seedlings, I end up with a revegging clone to be a mom, while the original seedling finishes up and gives me bud! If not, well, it's just more bud next harvest! Seems like a win-win situation to me! - Granny:hippy: