Low Stress Training (LST): Marijuana Growing Techniques

In this post, we are going to explain the LST- Loss Stress Training marijuana growing technique. This method consists of changing the shape and reducing the structure of the marijuana plant and it offers great results. Contrary to what happens with other techniques, this one doesn’t require cutting or pruning branches, therefore, plant stress is reduced to the bare minimums.

What is Low Stress Training (LST) and how is it done?

LST or Low Stress Training consists of bending the tip or main stem of the plant and tying it to force it to stay at the same height as secondary branches. This promotes all branches to grow at the same rate and to receive the same amount of light. It also provides great height control. 

As the plant grows, the tip of the plant will get straight again, trying to grow upwards, therefore, the process will need to be repeated. It’s handy to make a hole in the pots (if used) to tie the previously bent plant with a plastic clamp. Repeat the process on the other side of the pot as the plant keeps growing. The plant will eventually surround the pot, developing tons of secondary branches that will grow abundant buds and will look just like a tulips bouquet. 

You can also use stakes held by the substrate and tie the branches to give the plant the shape we want. Or you can use strings with weight on, to tie the main stem to it in order for it to remain bent. This process needs to take place as many times as necessary to keep the plant at an even height. 

What are the benefits of LST?

If done properly, the LST technique will maximize the yield producing medium size buds all over as all the branches will receive the same amount of light. Another great advantage of this system is that all the flowers will be equally ripe at the same time, which will make it possible to harvest the entire yield on the same day, rather than having to harvest on different days due to all the flowers not being ready yet.

It is best to start the Low Stress Training technique during the early growth stages, when the stems are still soft and easy to bend.

This method is perfect for guerrilla grows as you can keep the plants at the same height as the surrounding plants, making it very difficult to detect them. Marijuana plants are thought to have a Christmas tree-like appearance, therefore, hard to spot if they have a different shape. 

What to take into account when using the LST technique?

It is best to use plastic clamps and special gardening strings because if you use fishing line, thin string or something similar, you could end up strangling the stems and the results could be counterproductive. The ties have to be loose, not with tight knots that can harm the plant. Checking on the strings often is a must because as the stem and the branches grow, the ties will become tighter.

As we have mentioned previously, this technique should be done when the plant is still very young. Doing it to adult plants will likely break a branch. If you still want to perform this technique on grown plants, do it slowly over the course of a few days, progressively and not forcing the plant too much. For example, if the stem needs to bend at 70º, you can start by bending it 10º and repeat the process every few days until the stem reaches the desired level without breaking.

Is Low Stress Training an indoor or an outdoor technique?

Just like most marijuana growing techniques, this method is ideal for indoors and outdoors. When done indoors, keep in mind that less plants will take up more space than usual and that they’ll need to stay growing a bit longer.

LST is perfect to grow very vigorous strains in areas with limited height. This is the case for sativas, which tend to stretch a lot during the flowering period.

This technique is also suitable to shape mother plants to optimize space and obtain lots of flower buds, from which to obtain great cuttings using only one plant. 

Outdoors, LST is a great method to keep grows within discrete height ranges in balconies or terraces, just like it happens with guerrilla grows.

Low Stress Training promotes even crops. It also reduces fungal infestations and bud rotting by avoiding excessively big flowers, which are the ones that tend to show these problems. 

There is no considerable contraindication in carrying out LST outdoors.

Strains that adapt better to LST

LST is suitable for all sorts of strains, including autoflowering. However, the ones that do better with this method are the ones that grow plenty of lateral branches. Strains without abundant lateral branches perform better with other cultivation methods, such as S.O.G.

The following strains are perfect for LST:

• Miracle Alien Cookies (MAC), by GB Strains. This sativa dominant hybrid is very vigorous, it grows plenty of side branches and it’s very bushy in general.

• Kali Mist, by Serious Seeds, is a mythical sativa that would be otherwise impossible to grow indoors and with LST, it becomes very easy to grow and provides amazing results.

• Cum Laude, by Positronics. One of Antonio Escotado’s favorite strains. A sativa’s mixture that grows uncontrollably if left alone and that it’s very easy to control with LST. 

In conclusion, the Low Stress Training technique is easy to do and only offers advantages if done properly. I hope this article was helpful explaining what LST is, how it works and what are its benefits.