Hi All,
These autos (both Epsilon F1s) are 3.5 weeks old now. Do folks with experience performing LST (on this cultivar or just in general) recommend I start doing that? And if so, how? By looping some twine over the top bit (what’s that called, soz, I’m a newbie) and tying it down using the eyelets in the grow bag? They are super squat and quite dense looking to me. The cultivar does not grow tall, but it’s already looking pretty congested with foliage. Thank you!
M
I LST all my plants, esp autos. It’s esp important with autos since they grow fast and mature early. My employing LST you’re maximizing the plants potential.
Without LST most autos grow like a Christmas tree. One big main bud, and a bunch of smaller ones below. But LST gets light down inside the canopy. By doing that, and if done properly, all your lower buds really increase in size.
An average auto without LST might only produce 1.5oz. With proper LST, it’s not unheard of an auto producing over 4oz.
Thanks Beard-O. So would you (or others) recommend I start doing this now? And do I do this by tying some twine to the main stem and bending that downwards? The space between nodes is so compact, I’m worried I’ll damage something or break the stem, it being so squat. I appreciate the advice!
I noticed your plants are squat. Perhaps give them a few more days to stretch, then begin tying them down.
You want to pull the main cola way down, so it’s almost sideways, without breaking it. It will look awful at first. But trust me, in 48 it’s will be fighting to straighten itself.
The you’ll need to tie down the other buds as they will begin to grow with the added light.
There loads of videos online demonstrating LST.
One more thing.
You want to apply LST while the plant is still on the young side, say not past three weeks. The plants stem and branches are still supple and flexible enough to withstand being bent or manipulated.
Once the seedling gets older, it becomes woody, and might snap rather than bend. As I said, there’s loads of videos about it. I was nervous at first. BTW, soft garden wire is perfect for this. You can guy it at Lowe’s or Home Depot for short $$$.
@MK1000 Can you move her further away from the light to see if she’ll stretch a tad. Definitely do LST early around the 3rd-4th node.
I had a short and stocky girl that i had to LST. I waited hoping she’d stretch but didn’t. I started around week 3 and only got 2 LST sessions before she started to flower so i can only do a couple more.
I use tent stakes, binder clips clipped to the side of pot and garden wire.
You want to start LST early just bend the plant over gently like this and secure it down
Oh, wow, that’s such excellent help Kimcj, thank you! Thanks so much for the pictures, that makes the process so much clearer for me!
Oh, thanks so much, Smokesdaily! That’s so helpful to see how this works IRL!
This is the ideal…
Be sure to anchor her base at the stem on the opposite side of where you intend to bend.
Also with her being stocky you may have a fan leaf or 2 you may need to remove so they don’t sit in the soil.
I do it about 30 minutes after i water/ feed to soften the stem. She’ll be more pliable. Then apply a little squeeze and roll the stem in between your fingers. You will start to feel her loosen up.
@MK1000 Here are the 2 girls i posted above yesterday. They’ve had 3 LST sessions. I’ll be able to do only a couple more as they started showing a few pistils.
I started LST Sept 25th… that may give you an idea of how long you have.
@MK1000
I’ve only been growing a few months but i have done a lot of LST.
I have 2 photos that are 100 days into veg. They are being moved today because they will double in size when they flower. I have been doing LST since early on. I can’t imagine how big these girls would be without it 
I was very nervous too!
Wow! That looks awesome. 
