How to LST without stunting

Hi everyone,

I am starting this thread so I can gather info on how you LST without stressing autos. I have had a lot of success with LSTing autos, but lately I have stunted at least 3 autos that were growing vigorously and suddenly remained the same size forever after I LSTed. The way I do it is I wait until there are 4 nodes and then add a hook to the main stem and bend the top until 90 degrees. I am using fabric pots so I do not know whether that makes it more stressful.
How do you guys do it? I wonder how sometimes I get great results and others it completely kills the growth. I was guessing it was strain related but since it happened on strains that others have LSTed with success in the past, I think it probably something else...

Thanks for the advice!

 

[BII]

It seems plausible, including no reason not to assume, that the same plant either subjected to LST or none would grow the same, in terms of total biomass (plant total mass/weight. particularly the leaves and buds) and comparable cumulative height gain (with short growth of multiple branches equaling that of one single main stem); etc. Also, such LST in later veg/early bloom may not be noticed, as stem/branch growth comes to halt. I've never seen/associated LST with stunting, but it could seem that way, yet still be very successful in terms of resulting in more and better buds.

For me, the goal with LST is:
1) more buds. Give early-forming buds, no matter where on main stem or branches, more light exposure and better chances of growing into a meaty bud
2) spread out the plant/capture more light: Spread the plant horizontally, allowing more light exposure to more branches/buds and leaves.

 

[Groff]

"At the 4th node, autos begin to switch into flowering."
Rather extreme generalization. Not to mention wrong. No offense. Just had an auto go 50 days b4 pre-flower. Was 19" tall and 30" wide. Could not even count the secondary branches much less the tertiary branches. IME the more I "LST" the more vigorous the growth. I highly doubt slowed growth has anything to do with LST. I'd look elsewhere for a cause. Perhaps a hormonal change gearing up for flower not that I've seen that either. Sometimes IME a little slow period b4 stretch once it has transitioned to flower.

Fully agree
_

 

[Capt.Quirk]

It seems a combination of factors are keeping your plants from reaching full potential. Less than effective lighting being top of the list, and the foil isn't going to improve that one iota. Your lst technique may have a slight contribution, but is not the major cause.

 

[MrOldBoy]

Very interesting technique. This seems very low stress

Peppers show signs of stress real easy and they to be fine - no doubt it works with weed and super easy to do - it really is elementary Watson!

 

[McDee]

"At the 4th node, autos begin to switch into flowering."
Rather extreme generalization. Not to mention wrong. No offense. Just had an auto go 50 days b4 pre-flower. Was 19" tall and 30" wide. Could not even count the secondary branches much less the tertiary branches. IME the more I "LST" the more vigorous the growth. I highly doubt slowed growth has anything to do with LST. I'd look elsewhere for a cause. Perhaps a hormonal change gearing up for flower not that I've seen that either. Sometimes IME a little slow period b4 stretch once it has transitioned to flower.

Nailed it! I believe i was around day 43 so 4th node is wrong. The truth is each plant will tell you when theyre ready, dont get caught up on days. Use them as general references not fact. I lst the hell out of mine and just makes them grow more. I would look at PH 1ST! If that is in check look at your environment. Temp, rh, over/under watering, airflow, etc... Go over it and at the end of the day some strains aren't big, sometimes nothing but genetics to blame. Most of the time it's the grower making a mistake, but we all make mistakes just learn from them lol.

 

[Builder0101]

I left 6 or 8 colas on this plant and put her back in the tent to finish.

 

[Odissey]

It seems a combination of factors are keeping your plants from reaching full potential. Less than effective lighting being top of the list, and the foil isn't going to improve that one iota. Your lst technique may have a slight contribution, but is not the major cause.

I am pretty sure the lighting is not the issue since I have a qb 125 w for a slightly less than 2 foot square space putting me at more than 62.5 w of high quality light per square foot. If anything, the light is too powerful (which maybe is the problem)

 

[Odissey]

It seems plausible, including no reason not to assume, that the same plant either subjected to LST or none would grow the same, in terms of total biomass (plant total mass/weight. particularly the leaves and buds) and comparable cumulative height gain (with short growth of multiple branches equaling that of one single main stem); etc. Also, such LST in later veg/early bloom may not be noticed, as stem/branch growth comes to halt. I've never seen/associated LST with stunting, but it could seem that way, yet still be very successful in terms of resulting in more and better buds.

For me, the goal with LST is:
1) more buds. Give early-forming buds, no matter where on main stem or branches, more light exposure and better chances of growing into a meaty bud
2) spread out the plant/capture more light: Spread the plant horizontally, allowing more light exposure to more branches/buds and leaves.

Well I totally agree check out this plant that was growing in this box just 4 days ago

The reason I brought this up is the other plants I stunted were growing vigorously and looked extremely healthy just before the LST

 

[Odissey]

I should also mention that I start the plants in a very small seedling pot and then transplant into larger pots. They dont seem to notice it so I never thought this could be the issue

 

[Autobeast]

I been pushing the auto limits for 2017.for best results of lsting and auto without stunting and for best plant growth.is top her first before lst.gives u the perfect frame of plant to lst.here a link my current grows shows exactly what to do and when ,to achive a big beautiful auto with no stunting of growth.done many grows here.so not the first time to prove this.hope this helps

https://www.autoflower.org/threads/killer-kush-auto-topping-and-lst-grow.76689/

Happy growing every1