Low Stress Training (LST) for your plants: Simply explained!
The older your "special" plants get, the more they change - the leaves become thicker and bushier. The shape is often reminiscent of a Christmas tree that tapers towards the top. But this thickening also has its disadvantages: less light reaches the lower leaves and growth can be inhibited. This is where Low Stress Training (LST) comes into play! In this blog post, you will learn how to use LST to optimally control the growth of your plants.
What is Low Stress Training (LST)?
LST is a method that allows you to optimize the growth of your plants by gently shaping them into the desired shape. It does not place a lot of stress on the plant, but rather manipulates it to make the best use of the available light and space. LST is particularly popular in indoor growing as it allows you to achieve maximum yield in a limited space.
How does low stress training work for plants?
To start with, you should slightly bend the main stem of the plant to reduce the natural tip control. This will allow the side branches to grow better and absorb more light. You can use thick rubber bands or soft wires to gently support the plant. The advantage: the plant will receive more light from all sides, and this will encourage the growth of the lower branches. This not only leads to better light distribution, but also to a higher harvest.
LST for all plants – even outside the grow room!
LST is not only suitable for herbs or vegetables, but also for many other types of plants. You can apply this technique to houseplants or use it in horticulture. It helps to control growth, use space efficiently and increase harvest.
When should you start low stress training?
The sooner you start LST, the better! As soon as your plant enters the growth phase, you can make the first adjustments. Make sure that your plant is still young and healthy so that it can adapt well to the change. As soon as growth has largely stopped, you can stop LST.
Materials for LST
You don't need a lot of special equipment for low stress training. You may already have many of the materials at home. You can use rubber bands, scissors, support sticks and adhesive tape. However, plant clips are particularly useful as they help you to support your plants gently and effectively to promote optimal growth.
Our plant clips are ideal for LST as they ensure an even distribution of pressure on the plant and are easy to handle.Discover our plant clips in the shop .
What are the benefits of training for the plant?
The goal of low stress training is to increase plant growth without causing great stress to the plant. This is achieved by bending the upper branches so that the plant has more control over growth. If done correctly, this technique can even more than double the yield.
What to do if a branch breaks off?
It can always happen that a branch breaks. But don't worry, you can usually repair a broken branch without any problems. Use some duct tape to fix the break. This causes minimal stress to the plant and the injury usually heals quickly. If you want to give your plant an extra helping hand, you can treat the break with some aloe vera to promote healing.
At what stage should LST be started?
The ideal time to use LST is once the plant enters the growth phase. You can start training while it is still young and its structure is flexible. Once the plant has mostly finished growing, you should stop training. LST has the greatest effect when applied in the early growth phases.
Where can the wire be attached?
When you bend your plants, you need to attach the wire or thread to a stable point. Usually, the pot is used for this. Alternatively, you can stick a thicker wire into the soil to support the plant. However, the easiest way to do this is to attach the wire to the sides of the pot by drilling small holes and fixing the wire there.
Other techniques that are commonly used
Besides LST, there are other methods to optimize the growth of your plants. Here are two popular techniques:
- Topping: This method involves cutting off the top of the plant to break apical dominance. This encourages the growth of side shoots and creates a bushier plant.
- Netting: Netting involves stretching a net horizontally over the plants to create a flatter growth. This optimizes light absorption and the plant grows wider instead of taller.
Conclusion: Get the best out of your plants
Low stress training is an effective way to shape your plants and encourage growth without stressing them. With the right technique and the right materials like our plant clips, you can take your plants to the next level and increase your harvest. Try it out and see how your plants thrive!
