Help: LST?!

[flipwonder]

well, ive just started growing, my goal im tryin to achieve is to have a small plant and still grow buds.. ive seen people do it before, in pictures, they explained to me that their using a method called LST...


can anyone explain me in elementary terms on how to use the method?


any help will do

thanks

[JoHimself]

ok you need string of some description. you need to get the string, tie it into a loop (for best results i would suggest some kind of adjustable loop).

next hook the loop round the branch of the plant and tighten loop if required

the loose end of the string then needs to be attached in some way to the plant pot.if you are using a plastic pot then you can poke a hole in the pot then thread the string through the hole.if the pot is not plastic then you will need to be a bit more creative (i used duck tape which seems to have worked well)

make sure the string is tight and pulling the branch down to like horizontal.after a few hours you will see the plant has already started to grow back upwards towards the light and should eventually be almost a right angle.i have had best results from this by tying the bottom branches down first then waiting for them to grow upwards then moving up to higher branches.

annother way i have found of training the plant where tying it down is not appropriate is to fold a paper clip into a shape like this >-------< and putting that down low on the branch with one end pushing adainst the main stem and the other pushing against the branch.this is not the ultimate idea for the whole plant but it would work on the top few branches.

hope this helps.i shall go and look on my other computer to see f i have any pics illustrating this....

[JoHimself]

ummmm no...
sorry...
i'll take some more specific pictures when i can...

[professer evil]

any pics of training the plants?id like to see

[JoHimself]

Right....
here we go...

1 - the close up of how the string loops around the lower branches. observe the angle at which the lower branches come out of the main stem. being careful not to snap it off, aim for this angle lower down...

2 - then try to reduce that angle as you get higher up so that the branch is getting closer to vertical...

3 - to give a kind of layered effect.

4 - the overall effect after 3 separate sessions of training higher and higher up the plant... and some duck tape.

5 - the paperclip which i so poorly described above. the crook at each end should be gently pushed against the main stem and the branch which you are training.only really use this on the higher up bits where string would bend the whole plant.if you have difficulty getting it to stay in place just tie it on with string.

hope this helps

[HARDDON]

Johimself...

Thats a really awesom plant pic there with the buds.

Man did you grow that? That is super nice. Thats exactly what I am aiming for.

What was the yeild off of that plant or is it still growing?

NICE!

[JoHimself]

yes i grew it.

the trick is to wait until the branch is quite long before training it and going for that layered effect.picture the overall effect of each tie down rather than just focusing on each individual branch.training can be done all the way through the plants life and i found that a session of tying down, after the flowers have got established at the top, greatly increases the growth rate of those flowers.

truth is that this is my first grow so i have no clue whatsoever how much the plant will yield.if anyone can suggest any educated guess then that would be interesting to hear.

i used miracle grow for the veg stage and this (http://www.hydroponic-shop.com/product_info.php?cPath=28_30&products_id=752&osCsid=46c6a690f75c5a3436e3989374f29572) for the flowering stage. it didnt like the miracle grow half as much as it did the proper organic nutrients so i would suggest to others to use this (http://www.hydroponic-shop.com/product_info.php?cPath=28_30&products_id=750&osCsid=6ee683ac77efc5695bb38ef03bbdf89d) for the veg. i think basementlighting.com does these same nutes for cheaper but find out for yourself. i personaly bought it from a shop.

will keep everyone updated about pics and yields and things in about a month when i think she should be ready for the ole harvest.