Low Stress Training, or LST for short, is a gentle method to guide the shape of a plant without cutting it. Shoots are carefully bent down and secured to create a wide, flat canopy. Because no plant material is removed, LST causes minimal stress to the plant – hence the name.
How LST Works
Instead of growing upwards, the shoots are bent sideways with soft ties, wire, or clips and held in position. This results in more shoot tips being at the same height, rather than a single main shoot towering over everything. It is important to work slowly and gently to avoid breaking the shoots. Young, pliable plants in the vegetative phase are easiest to shape.
Benefits of LST
The greatest benefit is uniform light exposure: Under a fixed lamp, the rays reach many shoot tips instead of just one. This can lead to more balanced development. Unlike topping, there is no cutting and therefore no recovery period due to a wound. LST can be well combined with a SCROG net.
Frequently Asked Questions About LST
What is the difference to topping?
Topping involves cutting (high stress), while LST only involves bending (low stress). LST is gentler, while topping has a stronger effect on the shape.
When do you start with LST?
Early in the growth phase, while the shoots are young and pliable. Later, they become stiffer and break more easily.
What do I use to tie the shoots?
With soft plant ties, coated wire, or clips – nothing that cuts into the shoot.
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