I am not very active on the forum at this time but I continue to see many folks with questions and concerns regarding SCROG (Screen of Green) and LST (Low Stress Training).
There are nearly as many ways to successfully use SCROG and LST growing techniques as there are growers using them. Each of us, that use these techniques, have used the knowledge of those that came before us as a starting point for our custom solutions.
Everyone should post their SCROG and LST designs and solutions here so that folks with questions can look at a wide variety of solutions to find one that fits their needs.
These are a few ways I do it LST and the one time I tired scrog. LST clips for bending branches and electrical wire to tie down branches and if you don’t have any holes in your pot you can use binder clips
Here is mine. The second layer removable if I don’t need it. I got this idea from another member.
I use Autopot’s so I made pvc bump outs to hold the handles. Have to look close to see. That way I can remove the plant from the tent along with the scrog of course
First real try at a scrog, but it seems to be working pretty well for my needs.
3/4" EMT w/connectors over 1/2" tent poles. Hangar ratchets in each corner. Fully adjustable.
3.5" sq cheap netting pulled tight with front bar, or loosened and slid back to close.
And in large part thanks to merlin, his LST training tips help me to overcome much of my hesitation to begin training my plants. For one, bending the main – they don’t need to be bent waaaaaay over in order to produce lots of benefits.
So, mostly basic stuff: Ensure that the main is softened by gently squeezing and working it between your fingers. And also first secure the main’s base, before bending it over and securing it, somewhat like this:
I like using LST clips, a couple different styles. The varying sizes/styles can be good for different situations branches/situations:
I grow autoflowers and I don’t scrog. So, at this point, this is what I have been doing and have been pleased with.
I do top my autos. I have been doing so at the 5th node/above the 4th node. I cut off the first set of branches, so it usually gives me eight decent colas. Do I think that topping has stunted my autos, a common concern? I don’t know, lol. But I’ve been happy with the results. Before I do any cutting, I thoroughly clean my thin, sharp scissors with isopropyl alcohol.
Autoflowers have a mind of their own and a short veg period, so there’s only so much training that can be done. On my last plant, I experiment by not topping, but only LST. Her main cola remained quite dominant, and the other colas didn’t grow much before she went into flower. But, at least the light penetration was very good, and so even the short colas had meaty, dense buds … good light penetration and resulting dense buds is the goal. I nicknamed this plant “Turtle”:
