I know, there are probably alot of LST guides posted here already...but I did do a search and could't seem to find any with actual pictures. I have tried several ways of LSTing, some worked well, some didn't. The only way I do it now is this way...
You'll need to gather up some materials first. If you have a McGyver drawer it would come in handy right now
Look for some rubber bands, paperclips (I use the coated kind), and a few screws.
Take those screws and screw em into the top ring of your pot(s) Now bend a paperclip around it, leaving one of the hooks free. Next take a rubberband and put it into that free hook, close the opening of the hook. Now take another paperclip and attach it to the other end of your rubberband, again leaving 1 hook open.
Now this is where it actually happens, but I need to mention this first...when you first LST your plants you should always have a counter ties at the first bend. Now that I've said it, take that open hook you have and place it wherever you want you're bend...remembering of course to also attach your counter tie. So for example if you want to bend the stem at a 90 degree angle you will need ties on both sides of the plant like so...(notice the paperclips, rubberbands, and screw hooks)
Now you've done the first, most important bend. It just gets easier from here on out...
The next step, and I suppose the last step is simply maintenance. What you'll want to do is basically keep the top of the plant level with the rest of the potential budsites, like so...
As your plants get bigger you can redirect their growth any way you want to, just remember that you want to bend the newer growth and try to stay away from risking breaking the harded, older growth. You'll be amazed how easy it really is, I've found this method quite a bit easier (less work involved) than actually tieing them down. It's very easy to adjust the ties simply by bending the paperclips, or finding a longer rubberband. I've also found that the 'give' in the rubberbands makes for fewer adjustments, and the paperclips are not detrimental to the stems at all as long as you open the hook up accordingly.
So like I said, from here on out it's just maintenance...
My plants turned out to both be male, but I think you get the idea anyway. The advantage is clear, there are alot of potential budsites growing at the same level and getting the full potential of my lights...
Good Luck, and Happy Growing
You'll need to gather up some materials first. If you have a McGyver drawer it would come in handy right now
Look for some rubber bands, paperclips (I use the coated kind), and a few screws.Take those screws and screw em into the top ring of your pot(s) Now bend a paperclip around it, leaving one of the hooks free. Next take a rubberband and put it into that free hook, close the opening of the hook. Now take another paperclip and attach it to the other end of your rubberband, again leaving 1 hook open.
Now this is where it actually happens, but I need to mention this first...when you first LST your plants you should always have a counter ties at the first bend. Now that I've said it, take that open hook you have and place it wherever you want you're bend...remembering of course to also attach your counter tie. So for example if you want to bend the stem at a 90 degree angle you will need ties on both sides of the plant like so...(notice the paperclips, rubberbands, and screw hooks)
Now you've done the first, most important bend. It just gets easier from here on out...
The next step, and I suppose the last step is simply maintenance. What you'll want to do is basically keep the top of the plant level with the rest of the potential budsites, like so...
As your plants get bigger you can redirect their growth any way you want to, just remember that you want to bend the newer growth and try to stay away from risking breaking the harded, older growth. You'll be amazed how easy it really is, I've found this method quite a bit easier (less work involved) than actually tieing them down. It's very easy to adjust the ties simply by bending the paperclips, or finding a longer rubberband. I've also found that the 'give' in the rubberbands makes for fewer adjustments, and the paperclips are not detrimental to the stems at all as long as you open the hook up accordingly.
So like I said, from here on out it's just maintenance...
My plants turned out to both be male, but I think you get the idea anyway. The advantage is clear, there are alot of potential budsites growing at the same level and getting the full potential of my lights...
Good Luck, and Happy Growing
