OK, I have a confession. I'm a lazy sumbitch and I occaisionally come up with a time/energy saving idea. I'm sure lots of folks LST with pipe cleaners. I began using them because I had lots of trouble getting stoned and having to wrap that fecking twine around, inside/outside, underneath, wrap it around. Fershitsake. This method is quick, simple and let's me have more time to smoke. I call this...
The Rev's Magic Pipe Cleaner Therapy
What I'm trying to accomplish with LST is more bud sites and an even canopy from my plants so they will grow as uniformly as possible.
Pic 1 The first picture is the results of LST on my Blue Mystic plants last grow.
Pic 2 - These colorful pipe cleaners have magic in them. (OK, humor me here. I'm stoned as usual).They came from the Fabrics & Crafts department at Wally World. They are twice as long as your standard pipe cleaner.
Pic 3 - Drill some holes around the top edge of your plastic pots. I usually add 10-15 holes in a gallon pot and up to 30 holes in a 3 gallon pot. You can always come back later and drill more holes if you need them.
Pic 4 - Insert the pipe cleaner in the hole.
Pic 5 - Attach one end to the plant gently. You can make it loose or tight as you need to secure the plant but don't snap a top off. After a frew days when you need to tighten up, pull the pipe cleaner further through the hole on the edge and bend it upward. This is a really quick method. Lots quicker than getting stoned and trying to untie and re-tie that damn twine.
Pic 6 -
This pic is important. Make sure you begin by tying off and securing the base of the plant OPPOSITE from the side you'll be doing your bending. This plant was started on LST at day 18. I generally start LST when the plant is big enough. Be gentle.
Pic 7- Here the plant is beginning to fill space horizontally. It has almost covered the entire top of the pot.
Pic 8 - When a side branch finally reaches the edge of the pot, I tie it off (loosely) and let it begin to grow upward.
Pic 9 - These 2 plants are still under 6 inches tall.