Outdoor LST Benefits?

[bc_southbuds]

Do people even bother doing LST for better yield outdoors? Does it increase the yield enough to make it worthwhile?

I understand it indoors for space saving reasons and because you have the light coming straight down onto the plant, but outdoors you have tons of space and the light is always moving. I understand stealth growers might use it for less vertical plants but that’s it.

—
My grow log

Canadian Outdoor Auto Grow Log

June 23rd, 2022 Taking off with the heat. Heat wave coming up this weekend with temps in the high 20c low 30c (85-95ish F) Also, a few more seedlings popped out. O gelato Gorilla glue #4 Annunaki OG Amnesia

www.rollitup.org

 

[buckaclark]

Plants outdoors see different stresses on branches.The normal shape is strongest.GL

 

[Wizzlebiz]

I LST my outdoor plants for 2 reasons.

1 I don't want to lose 1 massive cola to bud rot. I like to have many smaller ones where if I do get bud rot I can chop that small cola and move on.

2 I like to keep them at no taller than eye level while standing. I'm 6 foot tall and trying to maintain proper pest management and inspections on plants any taller is a pain in the ass.

 

[bc_southbuds]

2 I like to keep them at no taller than eye level while standing. I'm 6 foot tall and trying to maintain proper pest management and inspections on plants any taller is a pain in the ass.

 

[Wizzlebiz]

View attachment 5158379

Ease of use. Absolutely paramount to doing it well if you ask me lol

 

[Wizzlebiz]

I was looking at your grow log. What kind of soil is that?

 

[bc_southbuds]

I was looking at your grow log. What kind of soil is that?

Soilless — ProMix/Perlite 4:1

 

[JoeBloggs]

I find basic LST helpful especially for autos. If you put a c. 80 degree bend in stem during veg then, as it grows 90% of plant's shoots will grow towards the light. A normal plant will have more shaded. You end up effectively with a one sided plant which you can face toards sun. How much you train the main stem will influence distribution of bud. "Spread-eagling" plant a bit will increase sunlight penetration for better yields. Its a good shape for maintenance too and much better for steath.

Dont leave bending too late or over do it. Low stress. By end of month one you want stem growing at almost right angle with just head looking up. As it grows you tie a bit more down. Till you are happy. Use rubber ties to gently pull branches to maximize surface area. It makes autos very discrete and manageable.

Yieldwise, if you are thinking of growing outside, think bugs, mould and more bugs. A bug or mould infestation can be fatal.

 

[NotTheRobot]

Do people even bother doing LST for better yield outdoors? Does it increase the yield enough to make it worthwhile?

I used 42 inch fence attached to the ground with metal tent pegs to form a cage. Heavy yarn was tied from the cage to main branches to spread them out. During the veg stage it helped to spread the branches. Combined with snipping leaves off in the center of the plant and pruning the sunny side a bit more heavily I'm hoping to keep better air flow and exposure to the sun. During the flowering stage the cages stops the plants from bending too much in strong winds and will hopefully keep heavy flower from stressing branches .

The wire cages will last for years.

 

[Kgrim]

I used 42 inch fence attached to the ground with metal tent pegs to form a cage. Heavy yarn was tied from the cage to main branches to spread them out. During the veg stage it helped to spread the branches. Combined with snipping leaves off in the center of the plant and pruning the sunny side a bit more heavily I'm hoping to keep better air flow and exposure to the sun. During the flowering stage the cages stops the plants from bending too much in strong winds and will hopefully keep heavy flower from stressing branches .

The wire cages will last for years.

View attachment 5171935

I did the same thing to the swamp boxes, but mine were a little large when I put them out, so only a couple branches could be fed thru holes. It is the 1st time I've ever fenced them in, and will never be without it again. It works awesome for the wind and definitely keeps mine from blowing around and breaking. In the process now of staking and spreading the plants out to keep good air flow. So far this year, PM hasn't reared its ugly head like it did last year. I fought a battle last year with the weather being so shitty. I didn't lose a whole lot to bud rot last year, unlike some others that I know who had to throw many many #'s to the trash bin. Jed the hillbilly (new to outdoors) decided to listen to his neighbor, and not me, and lost pretty much his entire crop of 10 plants to bud rot, so he's been purchasing smoke from me since last year, and decided to pull his this year when I pull mine and not listen to his neighbor with his "bro science" ideas that cost him months of time and growing to end up having to throw it all away.

 

[NotTheRobot]

I did the same thing to the swamp boxes, but mine were a little large when I put them out, so only a couple branches could be fed thru holes. It is the 1st time I've ever fenced them in, and will never be without it again. It works awesome for the wind and definitely keeps mine from blowing around and breaking. In the process now of staking and spreading the plants out to keep good air flow. So far this year, PM hasn't reared its ugly head like it did last year. I fought a battle last year with the weather being so shitty. I didn't lose a whole lot to bud rot last year, unlike some others that I know who had to throw many many #'s to the trash bin. Jed the hillbilly (new to outdoors) decided to listen to his neighbor, and not me, and lost pretty much his entire crop of 10 plants to bud rot, so he's been purchasing smoke from me since last year, and decided to pull his this year when I pull mine and not listen to his neighbor with his "bro science" ideas that cost him months of time and growing to end up having to throw it all away.

I don't feed anything through holes. When they get too big for the cage I move the cage out which leads to gaps in the fence and loss of support. I weave fiberglass stakes through a few points for support at the ends of the fence and retie the main branches for wind control.

I've cut 2 sections out the wire cage and just flip up the door when it's time to water. Set a pail in the open area and tip to water/ feed. A couple pulls in the right place straightens out the wire after. Where I live and plant I've only used a half pail a day per plant.

 

[Kgrim]

I don't feed anything through holes. When they get too big for the cage I move the cage out which leads to gaps in the fence and loss of support. I weave fiberglass stakes through a few points for support at the ends of the fence and retie the main branches for wind control.

I've cut 2 sections out the wire cage and just flip up the door when it's time to water. Set a pail in the open area and tip to water/ feed. A couple pulls in the right place straightens out the wire after. Where I live and plant I've only used a half pail a day per plant.

View attachment 5171947
View attachment 5171948

I wish I could grow "in ground" like you, but my back clearing is a "swamp" so I grow in boxes, and have for quite a few years. It works real well for my area. I haven't had a "wind" issue until this year, it just seems the wind really likes to roll thru there this year. The fencing has helped immensely, but my plants quickly outgrew the height of the fence since they were already tall and lanky when I put them out this year. Started putting in the 10ft stakes and tying them off last night to open them up, spread them out and get air flow to them since they are getting so damn big. I bought a pump and just drop the hose thru a slot, turn it on and get the watering done fairly quick. Yours are way farther into bud than mine, and looking good. I can't wait to try some of this years run, I've got a few that look like they are going to be very interesting.

 

[NotTheRobot]

I wish I could grow "in ground" like you, but my back clearing is a "swamp" so I grow in boxes, and have for quite a few years. It works real well for my area. I haven't had a "wind" issue until this year, it just seems the wind really likes to roll thru there this year. The fencing has helped immensely, but my plants quickly outgrew the height of the fence since they were already tall and lanky when I put them out this year. Started putting in the 10ft stakes and tying them off last night to open them up, spread them out and get air flow to them since they are getting so damn big. I bought a pump and just drop the hose thru a slot, turn it on and get the watering done fairly quick. Yours are way farther into bud than mine, and looking good. I can't wait to try some of this years run, I've got a few that look like they are going to be very interesting.

I topped twice with these to keep the height down. As @Wizzlebiz pointed out a single big cola isn't the target with outdoor.

The 2 smallest plants are Frostberry from Lucky 13. I had one starting to bloom at the end of June! One turned out purple. The other one white. Both look "very interesting". The other 2 plants are Okanagan Grape. One is blooming but buds aren't growing fast and the second hasn't even started yet. There are kush smells that are teasing of things to come but it's getting late to have no bud started where I live.

 

[ooof-da]

I also use the wire cages. I tie branches down pretty hard to splay it out and keep air moving inside but not the tops, maybe that’s not lst, no clue but I let those stay vertical and fim to control height. I like to keep them under 6-7’ tall and my goal is to make them as wide as they are tall.

 

[Kgrim]

I don't feed anything through holes. When they get too big for the cage I move the cage out which leads to gaps in the fence and loss of support. I weave fiberglass stakes through a few points for support at the ends of the fence and retie the main branches for wind control.

I've cut 2 sections out the wire cage and just flip up the door when it's time to water. Set a pail in the open area and tip to water/ feed. A couple pulls in the right place straightens out the wire after. Where I live and plant I've only used a half pail a day per plant.

View attachment 5171947
View attachment 5171948

At least I've started to spread them out, LOL
Have a ways to go yet
Boxes are 2ft x 2ft x 2ft to give an idea of how tall they are.

 

[JoeBloggs]

I used 42 inch fence attached to the ground with metal tent pegs to form a cage. Heavy yarn was tied from the cage to main branches to spread them out. During the veg stage it helped to spread the branches. Combined with snipping leaves off in the center of the plant and pruning the sunny side a bit more heavily I'm hoping to keep better air flow and exposure to the sun. During the flowering stage the cages stops the plants from bending too much in strong winds and will hopefully keep heavy flower from stressing branches .

The wire cages will last for years.

View attachment 5171935

Premier Division! Horses for courses but that could work! UK too damp possibly. Tell me its Africa!

 

[NotTheRobot]

I also use the wire cages. I tie branches down pretty hard to splay it out and keep air moving inside but not the tops, maybe that’s not lst, no clue butView attachment 5171959 I let those stay vertical and fim to control height. I like to keep them under 6-7’ tall and my goal is to make them as wide as they are tall.

You've gone a step further than me with the wire cage and cut the watering window out completely.

Lookin' good !

 

[NotTheRobot]

Premier Division! Horses for courses but that could work! UK too damp possibly. Tell me its Africa!

Thanks.

Near Ottawa, On, Canada. Just a couple K's away .

 

[ooof-da]

You've gone a step further than me with the wire cage and cut the watering window out completely.

Lookin' good !

Ya I cut water holes and service holes…I reuse them & they typically work out y-o-y

 

[bc_southbuds]

I find basic LST helpful especially for autos. If you put a c. 80 degree bend in stem during veg then, as it grows 90% of plant's shoots will grow towards the light. A normal plant will have more shaded. You end up effectively with a one sided plant which you can face toards sun. How much you train the main stem will influence distribution of bud. "Spread-eagling" plant a bit will increase sunlight penetration for better yields. Its a good shape for maintenance too and much better for steath.

Dont leave bending too late or over do it. Low stress. By end of month one you want stem growing at almost right angle with just head looking up. As it grows you tie a bit more down. Till you are happy. Use rubber ties to gently pull branches to maximize surface area. It makes autos very discrete and manageable.

Yieldwise, if you are thinking of growing outside, think bugs, mould and more bugs. A bug or mould infestation can be fatal.

Thanks for the advice, I’ll try it out next season as my plants are about 3 weeks into flower already. Being my first grow, I kept the scope of the grow project down to just becoming familiar with what the plant is like and how it responds to soil, feeding, etc. So far so good, and ready to move onto LST, topping, photoperiods, and all that other fun stuff next year.
Yeah, it’s hard to imagine mold at this time of the year with being in such a dry climate, plus being +35c/100f, but come Sept I’ll be keeping an eye out, especially since my lack of LST is resulting in huge colas at the top of some strains. Bugs I’ve already had to deal with: flea Beatles, grass hoppers, etc. So far so good, and not sweating the odd nibble from a grasshopper now, just as long as they move on which they do.

thanks again!