Grow GuideLow Stress Training (LST) for Cannabis: Beginner’s Guide to Bigger Yields
Jan
LST (Low-stress training) is a simple yet effective way to get huge yields from your cannabis plants with minimal input. If you want to stop chasing those tiny “popcorn” buds and start harvesting massive colas, pay close attention.
What is the LST Training Method
The LST method involves bending and tying down the main stems and branches of your cannabis plant.
What Does Low Stress Training Do
Cannabis growers do this for various reasons.
Does LST Increase Yield
Every cannabis plant has what’s called apical dominance. This means the plant’s energy is mainly focused on making the very top bud, or cola, the biggest. The lower branches often get less light and less power. This explains why lower buds are small and usually wispy.
By breaking that top-heavy dominance, LST forces the plant to send energy to every side branch. This, in turn, increases the number of primary bud sites. Growers often report yield increases of 10% to over 50%.
The Flat Canopy
Low-Stress Training (LST) helps you create a flat, even canopy. This new functional structure is smartly countering the plant’s built-in survival program for improved airflow and light penetration.
With that top shoot pulled down and secured, the hidden growth beneath finally steps into the spotlight. Lower branches reach up into the open, claiming their share of the light. What you get is a levelled, open canopy where each bud site gets treated like a main cola.
With this even structure, light touches every leaf tip and air flows smoothly through the center. This will help you brush off heat and moisture-related problems with microclimates before they ever become a problem. Moreover, the plant develops stronger branches evenly to support heavy buds without breaking.
Ideal for Limited Spaces
If you’re an indoor cultivator with strains that may exceed the limits of your closet or tent, LST is a necessary design tool to manage excessive stretch. This technique allows you to bend and tie down the fastest-growing points continually.
By preventing the plant from stretching upward and encouraging a wide, dense bush, you can maintain a low profile. You will then not only fit your grow in a limited space but also avoid the catastrophic risk of light burn.
LST vs. High-Stress Training (HST)
Now that you understand low-stress training, how about high-stress training (HST)?
Unlike the more aggressive HST methods, low-stress training doesn’t involve cutting or breaking the plant tissue. Because of this, the plant never stops growing, making it the safest and best technique for autoflowers.
When to Start and Stop LST
Timing is everything when it comes to LST. Start too early, and the plant may not have enough structure to work with. Wait too long, and stems thicken, making them harder to bend without snapping.
When Should I Start LST?
The secret to easy LST is starting early; you must work with new, flexible growth. Let us look at some of the indicators you need to mark before beginning your training.
When stems are flexible and green.
Stiff, woody stems will snap rather than bend, defeating the purpose of “low stress.” Always confirm that the growth is still soft and flexible before applying pressure.
When the plant has at least five nodes (leaf sets).
Starting at this point ensures the plant is actively growing and strong enough to handle manipulation stress without stunting its growth. Additionally, the presence of multiple nodes gives you enough lateral branching to start manipulating the canopy effectively.
The plant is typically 1–4 inches tall.
Working with the plant while it is this short gives you full control over the plant’s future shape. The young stems are also easily bendable up to 90 degrees.
About 2–3 weeks after sowing a seed.
For growers who like to track time, this window ensures you catch the rapid vegetative growth phase. This timing is beneficial for autoflowers, which have a limited window for training.
When to Stop LST Training?
You should make your final Low-Stress Training (LST) adjustments just before flipping the plants into the flowering stage.
For new growths that may follow, LST should typically stop by the end of the first month of flowering. Any continued bending after this point can cause stress that reduces your cannabis yield.
Pro Grow Tip : Best time to start LST is when the plant has 4 to 6 nodes. Plants will adapt faster.
The only exception is bud support. As colas fatten and gain weight, you can still use ties or soft plant wire to secure branches gently. This keeps them from snapping under the pressure of heavy, resin-packed buds.
How to Do Low Stress Training (LST): The Core Tie-Down Method
Preparations and Equipment
Before you start bending, gather your tools and prepare your pots.
Essential LST Materials
- Soft Ties: You need something gentle like rubber-coated garden wire. It’s easy to bend but soft enough not to cut into the stem. Never use thin, plain wire or string, which will act like a knife as the stem thickens (this is called girdling).
- Anchoring Points: The easiest method is to drill or poke several small anchor holes around the top rim of your pot. Bamboo or plastic stakes pushed into the soil also work the magic.
- Repair Kit: Accidents happen! Keep duct tape and small splints (like toothpicks) handy for emergency repairs.
What are the stages of LST
A complete low-stress training process involves three stages. Understanding what each stage entails will also help you grasp how to LST step by step.
Stage 1: Main Stalk Bending
- Identify the Tallest Stem: This is usually the central stalk you will bend first.
- The 90-Degree Bend: Gently, very slowly, and carefully bend the main stem downward until it’s nearly horizontal (parallel to the soil).
- Secure It: Use a soft tie to secure the bent stem to an anchor hole on the opposite side of the pot rim. You’ve just successfully broken apical dominance!
Stage 2: Branch Bending (Training the Laterals)
- Wait and Watch: Over the next few days, the small side branches (laterals) that were likely shaded will explode with growth. From their lateral position, they will shoot straight up toward the light.
- Repeat the Bend: Once these laterals are long enough, treat them just like the main stem—bend them outward and downward.
- Regular Adjustments: Check your plant weekly, tying down branches to maintain a flat top surface.
Stage 3: Bud Support
When the plant flowers heavily, the colas get much heavier. At this point, use more ties to secure these heavy branches to strong stakes or a SCROG net.
This final step in low-stress training prevents branches from drooping or snapping under their own weight.
Tips for a successful LST
Avoiding Common LST Mistakes
To get the best results, avoid these pitfalls:
- Starting too late when the stems have already become stiff and woody.
- Tying too tightly; remember to leave a little slack so the stem has room to thicken without being choked.
- Not checking your ties as the plant grows. They need to be loosened and adjusted regularly.
- Bending or training during flowering after the first month causes stress that is hard to recover from, as the plant is no longer growing. This is likely to hurt your yield.
Bending Stiff Branches (The Gentle Trick)
If a stem feels like it’s going to snap, just gently rub it between your thumb and forefinger for about 10 seconds. That little bit of pressure and warmth helps loosen up the inner fibers, making the stem more flexible and way easier to bend without breaking.
Troubleshooting Snapped Branches
When a branch breaks, immediately use duct tape and a small splint to bind the two broken parts back together. If the break is clean and the plant is healthy, it will often heal completely within a few weeks.
Reaping the Rewards
LST is a tool of patience and observation, not force. The commitment to those regular, gentle adjustments is what transforms a standard plant into a high-yielding monster.
Remember to keep your canopy flat, your ties loose, and your plants healthy. Your reward for this minimal effort will be a bumper crop of fat, uniform colas.
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