Results of first LST attempt(pics), thus far.

[Moots]

So after having a box busted, and then getting robbed. A friend(same seeds, same eq, we set up together), due to moving gave me a small plant (3-5 weeks from seed) so I wouldn't have to start from scratch. He topped it just before giving it to me, one branch grew in nicely, the other is slow moving.

It's been about 2 weeks, and I LST'd the first day I got the plant to my place. I have been pretty happy with the results, and I was surprised how extreme the plant let me bend it. Here's some pics! (only 2, but I didn't realize how bushy it was and how hard it would be to get a good shot of the stems without foliage in the way)

General shot of the lil one.

And here is an under shot so you can see the LST effects;

You will notice, one of the early branches, growing out the top, with the small twine loop, has been trained backwards, which really helped level out the branching.

I use a pretty high tech method ha, hemp twine that tucks into a group of elastic bands around the body of the pot. It's nice because it stops the twine from cutting into branches as it can pull a little slack if need be, and easy to adjust/tweak.

 

[Fire On High]

Looks real good.
My problems with LST have come because of how the plant hangs over the edge.
when they got bigger, they were harder to move around and take out for watering. I had to play tetris to get all my plants to fit in the same cab cause they didnt occupy the same space as the pots.
Of course, if you only have one plant and enough space or you train it well, you dont have to worry about this.

 

[Moots]

I'll probably grow a ring, then train all the branches back towards the middle and call it good, that way I maximize branches, but keep the plant centralized, and let the tops spread out after that. I've done it with lavender, before, so I assume it will work. I've trained other plants, but it was surprising how well pot takes to it. Makes me want to grow pot art.

 

[pinecone]

It's been about 2 weeks, and I LST'd the first day I got the plant to my place. I have been pretty happy with the results, and I was surprised how extreme the plant let me bend it. Here's some pics! (only 2, but I didn't realize how bushy it was and how hard it would be to get a good shot of the stems without foliage in the way)

Looking good!

My problems with LST have come because of how the plant hangs over the edge.

This can be a problem. What I do so this isn't an issue is put the root ball on the opposite side from where the main stem is (or will be) bent over all the way to the side of the new container. This way the main and bottom shoots and side shoots that are to be tied down have a better chance of making it to the sides of the pot at the same time, thus achieving a even overhang in veg and an even canopy in flower. I will also pinch back branches that are growing faster than I like so that all the branches that I am tying down have approximately the same overhang from the pot.

I put the root ball of the plant below all the way to the right of the rubbermaid bin when I did the final transplant.

 

[winrarwizard]

fuck yeah bro
glad you're back up and at em
looking mighty fine

 

[Moots]

I might steal that planting the root ball to one side of a long container idea on my next plant. Then I can just train it like a cascading bonsai. Will make better use of my space as a bonus.

 

[pinecone]

I might steal that planting the root ball to one side of a long container idea on my next plant.

I "stole" the idea from someone else. Truth be told you don't even need a long container. Planting the root ball to once side can be implemented with any sort of container, including round containers. They key is not to wait until the last transplant to start transplanting this way - even if you wait until later to start training.

Although it is harder to see than in the picture I posted previously, all plants below were all transplanted to one side starting with the move to from 1 gallonish to 2.8 gallon pots (they are all in 4.1 gallon pots to finish). The last picture shows a plant that is just about to go into flower.
[url='https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=4739&pictureid=89629'] [/url]

 

[Moots]

Thanks for the info my friend.

Love those pics. Trained plants can be so wonderful to the eye, especially J Maple Bonsais for me. It almost makes me want to start a side crop purely to make plant art.

 

[pinecone]

Trained plants can be so wonderful to the eye, especially J Maple Bonsais for me. It almost makes me want to start a side crop purely to make plant art.

It is fun to see what you can make them do. MJ is particularly satisfying because it grows so fast and responds so well.

One thing I forgot to mention as another approach to transplanting to one side is topping early in veg, transplanting in the middle of the container, and tying both main stems down on opposite sides of the pot. I haven't actually done this, but I've seen some pretty impressive pictures from growers that have used this approach - one where the grower achieved an almost perfect diamond shape when viewed from above.

Pine

 

[Moots]

Thought I'd post an update, make this a mini journal.

Had to transplant as she (Blue Mystic) was getting very root bound. Went to a wide one gallon pot, as I don't need tons more room, as it is a small cab.

Right now it is under 105 watts of CFL(Will be up to 120 in flower), very close at all times, was originally planted in some random potting soil (Took this plant over from a friend), but when I transplanted, it went into Miracle Grow's Soil-less potting mix (The bag info almost seems marketed to growers). I know, I know. Miracle Grow sucks, but no grow shops, and gardening centres aren't open yet. Surprisingly it is pretty decent looking stuff, and the plant has exploded out of it's lull the past 2 days. Nice and light, built for good aeration, PH balanced, has a bit of built in fertilizers(.14-.14-.14), so I'll have to be careful. (Just been using water from my fish tank, thats been aerated with an air stone, and some 15-12-15 feedings every other water.

If it doubles (or a little more during flower it would be coming close to the roof of the cab, so I think I will need to do so very soon. Have had alternating nodes for a while now, which I am told is a sign of maturity in the plant. I'll have to keep tying it down if it gets too big.

Here's a few pics.

and a more sidey view. Been getting purple pin striping all along the branches, which you might be able to see, sorry about the glare many windows in my place.

 

[PotentGreen]

Cool thread. I'm a huge fan of lst. The plants definitely respond well to many methods of training but if I can not stress my ladies out, and growth is still vigorous because of training...then I dont see why this method isn't AWESOME. Heres my pre 98 bubba kush mom in her early stages of LST. And then here a few days ago, still in LST

 

[simon]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to pinecone again.

I like the piping. Good idea.

Simon

 

[Moots]

Thought I'd toss up a few new pics. Not much has changed (A new node or two), and the plant has darkened up a bit.

Top View

I took a pic with light in the background, as it shows the branch formation more clearly here.

The second to last pic shows probably the most accurate colour.

Seems happy and healthy.