LBH's 4 way lst tutorial (w topping sub-tutorial)

LBH

Well-Known Member
Hey folks. I've been sending quite a few people here to read the tutorial lately. Just a reminder that if you have any questions to fire away.
 
Thanks. Great info. I've tried SCroG before (many years ago) and was doing a little research because I want to try it again. I'm glad I found this thread. In the past, I just grew the plant up to the screen and spread it. I never thought about training her like this before she got to the screen. Should make a BIG difference.
 
Hey folks. I've been sending quite a few people here to read the tutorial lately. Just a reminder that if you have any questions to fire away.
Very cool tutorial; I was wondering 2 things. The first is, what would happen if I FIM'ed rather than topped at the beginning stages of growth (In terms of bud production)? The second main thing is I noticed this grow is in soil but I thought I saw you say you have switched over to hydro. I Grow in bubbleponics and wonder if you have any tips for holding the plant down (spikes wont work so I was thinking string and tape) or any other hydro specific tips in addition to shorter veg times.
 

Pjammo1

Member
Great information. I am a new grower and have started lst with some clone and now look forward to doing it correctly with some seeds. Thanks
 

LBH

Well-Known Member
Really sorry I didnt see this way back when u posted, hopefully the reply is still useful.

Very cool tutorial; I was wondering 2 things. The first is, what would happen if I FIM'ed rather than topped at the beginning stages of growth (In terms of bud production)?
not much difference,....2 more tops but I wouldnt do it on purpose, the middle of the plant will fill with all those minor arms coming up



second main thing is I noticed this grow is in soil but I thought I saw you say you have switched over to hydro. I Grow in bubbleponics and wonder if you have any tips for holding the plant down (spikes wont work so I was thinking string and tape) or any other hydro specific tips in addition to shorter veg times.
Ive done hydro for a few yrs as well and found a few things that wrk. The beauty of any lst type training is you can get creative as all hell. In hydro tho, I always would put the plant under when it was about 5" above the screen (height wise). To get the plant in there I would lift the screen and drop it in the bucket and then have someone else inch the screen down as I would tuck. If u have multiple plants, do them all at once. @ 5" above the screen, I had the perfect amount to fill a 3.5 x 3.5 screen after stretch

Many hydro set ups are different,.....problem solve that shit. I was running 4 smaller plants per screen so my options were limited. Single bucket set ups with independent screens,.......many options

Grow 'Em Up!!
 

mrwood

Well-Known Member
Great thread & photos!
I am trying this method with my new grow box!

From page one:
Now it's time to do some topping again. All those nice new sprouts coming out of the middle of each arm......pull 'em! Everything DOUBLES again!! (below)
I am leaving the rest of this tutorial up so people can see what you get if you keep topping. I personally stop here.
So you only top once, or do you go ahead & pull the (4) new sprouts?
I know it is an option, just curious what you meant in the quote above.

For this grow, I think I am going leave it as is with the one top. My plants are filling out nicely. The only other 'topping' I may do is when I clone.
 

LBH

Well-Known Member
Twice,....the intial pinch at the 4th node is considered a topping. I top once more after that, all 4 mains.

You can only top a clone if you are cutting a main off of the mother plant. All other arms are secondary and have apical growth (not top-able)
 

GanjaAL

Active Member
What is the best way to do this if you have an 8' lid?

Screen is 9' x 6' under 4 1k lights. DTW coco/hydroton mix.

Thanks for a killer tutorial.
 

LBH

Well-Known Member
I would suggest not running perpetual and just vegging them under the screen till the screen is 2/3 full and then flip them. Tuck them till the end of the stretch and you should be good, 54' of solid bud! Keep us posted

Grow 'Em Up!
 

GanjaAL

Active Member
Thank you sir.... just do not want to wast the vertical space. Will keep you guys posted. Small medical grow for a small collective to see what we can do.
 

myfriend

New Member
My plante have been veging for 4 weeks. Is TOPPING necessary? All my plants are way passed the 5th leaf they are more like on the 10th leaf. Is it to late to top? Can i do the scrog without topping or should I just not do scrog?
 

LBH

Well-Known Member
It's not necessary but highly recommended. You can top any time during veg but to follow this particular technigue, you need to do it as early as possible. You CAN still scrog but you'd probably be better off just growing it out and trying with the next one.
 

myfriend

New Member
Thanks LBH, Guess i'm going to do it for the next one. I started from seed so i dont know which ones are fems. One I know I will clone them... I'm guessing that topping is the same for clones (once they start growing)?
 

LBH

Well-Known Member
Myfriend, it doesn't work for clones because a clone has a different growth pattern (apical) than a juvenile plant.
 
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