Looking for LST Advice

I'm not completely new to this and have pulled in some good auto harvests, but I have had some questionable results when using LST to the same degree as most others do. I've found I've had the best success when just holding down the top for a couple days and then letting it go back to its original shape, but with enhances side branching.

I believe I am doing something wrong when I do the regular LST methods, because instead of ending up with several large main colas, I end up with 1 stunted main cola and a whole bunch of worthless popcorn buds. Basically every one of the bottom nodes that level with the main never quite develop enough to establish large colas and instead they stretch with only the very top producing a small nug.

The result is usually a much lowered yield as all the lower nodes which are now 'tops' are producing 1 or 2 grams.

It just seems like the lower nodes, even when level with the main cola, just never get thick and bulky, and remain as these now tall, but thin, fragile stems with just a popcorn bud at the top. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[AJrexxx]

I am by no means an expert, but have done well with LST when it is consistant. I adjust every few days and then which ever cola is bigger I make sure it is lower than the others(no science behind why I do this just what I do). Constantly tweaking it till i get to near chop then level it out. I do this more for the finished look of the plant. I get more side branches to a bigger size. Most of them never look like main colas though. I also trim Everything on the bottom third of the plant. If you have to many branches your not going to get the big colas unless your doing photos and veg them forever.

Genetics has some effect but below is typical of what I end up with. I prefer this method as at one time I had a low ceiling grow room and it keeps them short and wide. Even canopy is the goal.

Now if you want monster colas Trim it down to like 8-10 branches and you will get this.

Just make sure your humidity is right or this could be a mold nightmare.
I hope I in some way helped you some with all that rambling. This is just what I have learned with trial and error.
One other method I have used and unfortunately can't find the pics is to plant on one side of the pot and pull the top down and keep it horizontal until it hits the other side of the pot then let it grow up. Your branches will get bigger and the buds turn out very nice. Just remember to be selective and trim some down or you are going to end up with a lot of tiny buds.

 

[elunex]

I am by no means an expert, but have done well with LST when it is consistant. I adjust every few days and then which ever cola is bigger I make sure it is lower than the others(no science behind why I do this just what I do). Constantly tweaking it till i get to near chop then level it out. I do this more for the finished look of the plant. I get more side branches to a bigger size. Most of them never look like main colas though. I also trim Everything on the bottom third of the plant. If you have to many branches your not going to get the big colas unless your doing photos and veg them forever.

Genetics has some effect but below is typical of what I end up with. I prefer this method as at one time I had a low ceiling grow room and it keeps them short and wide. Even canopy is the goal.
View attachment 1016396
Now if you want monster colas Trim it down to like 8-10 branches and you will get this.
View attachment 1016397
Just make sure your humidity is right or this could be a mold nightmare.
I hope I in some way helped you some with all that rambling. This is just what I have learned with trial and error.
One other method I have used and unfortunately can't find the pics is to plant on one side of the pot and pull the top down and keep it horizontal until it hits the other side of the pot then let it grow up. Your branches will get bigger and the buds turn out very nice. Just remember to be selective and trim some down or you are going to end up with a lot of tiny buds.

Thanks man, that's definitely helpful. I've never removed any lower branches on my grows out of fear of stress induced stunting, but I'd definitely give it a go. At what stage do you remove the lower branches? I'm about a week into flower now and they're stretching nicely

 

[elunex]

Sorry for the double post. Here's an example of where mine are now. They're definitely quite bushy, will cleaning them up with some defoloation increase the yield?

 

[AJrexxx]

I would start removing some now. You can look and see what is really not ever going to get light and go from there. I only do a few every other day and shape it as I go. I go with the theory of not taking to much at one time. I also take off the top four giant fan leaves as well. People will tell you you need them, but you dont. Especially if your feeding nutrients regularly. the goal is to get the light as deep as you can. If you cannot get light on the buds on the lower branches they are wasting energy. So any new branches that grow in I would cut those off and work my way from the bottom up( for branches you cant get light on) on that plant. Just remember your going for wide and flat. Just don't over do it at one time. I have found certain genetics (narrow leaves, lanky plants work best) make this easier.

 

[Arthur]

@AJrexxx is spot on, even when I don't tie them over and let them go natural, I'm constantly cleaning the lowers and inners to improve penetration and get rid of the larf, little here, little there.

Bottom set of branches go early on mine, (especially shorties) helps with the watering.