Plant training: Difference between revisions

Paper clips can be used to pin the stem down as it grows. This greatly reduces the height of the plant by training branches to grow laterally. This method is better suited to more compact mediums like soil, as pins require some friction to stay in place. Pinning should start as soon as there is a long enough stem to pin. You can grow a seedling in low light to increase the stem stretching in the seedling phase. This can increase the inter-nodal distance, giving your branches more space later on in flowering.
 
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<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:LST-pinning-down.png|thumb|none|300px|Here, the plant is kept low to the soil with blue paper clips. See how the clips can be used to twist the main stem as it grows so that all nodes can emerge parallel to the soil]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Tall fluxing.jpg|thumb|none|300px|This example shows a manifold in the centre and the stem being kept parallel to the soil by garden wire]] </li>
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====Using plant tying wire====
Tying wire is usually a stiff metal wire coating in soft plastic. It can be wrapped around stems and used to hold others in place without cutting into the stem as well as being tied through holes in the side of the pot.
 
 
=== Ponytailing ===
Ponytailing is the process of tying leaves up in a bunch together to remove the shade they create. This also leads to the ponytailed stem receiving less light and stretching more as a result. This can be done with small cable ties or paper clips.
 
Removing the growth at the top of a branch. This can be used to create two new heads at the top of the branch.
 
===Mainlining ===
By topping the main stem, one can create a manifold ('Y' shaped stem). This forces the plant to split resources between the remaining branches, creating a more even canopy. This should be done when the plant a) has at least three nodes, b) when it is healthy and c) while it is still vegetating. After creating a manifold, LST should be applied to maintain the shape of the plant.