Low Stress Training - LST & ScrOG (Screen of Green) for Bigger Cannabis Yields

GTA Seeds
May 19
4 min read

Mastering Plant Training: LST (Low Stress Training) & ScrOG (Screen of Green) for Bigger Cannabis Yields

Cannabis cultivation is part science, part art — and how you train your plants can make a massive difference in your final yield, quality, and efficiency. Two of the most effective and beginner-friendly training techniques are LST (Low Stress Training) and ScrOG (Screen of Green).

These methods gently guide your plants to grow in ways that maximize light exposure, create even canopies, and produce dense, top-shelf buds — all without harming the plant’s structure.

Let’s dive into how these methods work, when to use them, and why they’re essential for indoor and stealth growers alike.

🧘 What is LST? (Low Stress Training)

Low Stress Training (LST) is a technique where growers bend and tie down branches during the vegetative stage to manipulate a cannabis plant’s shape — without cutting or damaging it. The goal is to spread out growth horizontally, allowing more light to reach bud sites and encouraging multiple colas instead of just one main top.

💡 Why Use LST?

Increases light penetration to lower branches
Improves airflow and reduces mold risk
Encourages bushier plants with more bud sites
Stealthier plant profile (shorter, wider growth)
Higher yields without cutting or stressing the plant too much

🌱 How to Apply LST (Step-by-Step)

🛠️ What You’ll Need:

Soft garden wire or plant ties
Small stakes or holes in the pot rim
Patience and a gentle hand

🔄 The Process:

Step 1: Start Early

Begin LST when your plant has 3–6 nodes (around 3–4 weeks old in veg). This is when stems are flexible and easy to train.

Step 2: Bend the Main Stem

Gently bend the main stem sideways (almost horizontal) and secure it using ties attached to the pot’s rim or a small stake. Do not snap the stem.

Step 3: Tie Down Side Branches

As the lower branches grow up toward the light, tie them outward too, spacing them apart like spokes on a wheel. This creates an even, open canopy.

Step 4: Adjust Regularly

Check every few days and adjust ties to maintain an even canopy. Remove or reposition ties as needed to avoid cutting into the stems.

Optional: Combine with Topping

You can top the plant once before LST to encourage even more lateral growth.

✅ Tip: LST works especially well with autoflowers, since it doesn’t stress the plant significantly or delay growth.

🌳 What is ScrOG? (Screen of Green)

The ScrOG technique takes LST a step further by using a screen or mesh net above your plants to guide growth and keep an even canopy. As branches grow through the screen, you tuck and weave them sideways, training the plant to fill the screen horizontally instead of growing tall.

🕸️ ScrOG Benefits:

Maximizes light efficiency
Increases yield per square foot
Creates multiple large colas
Perfect for small grow spaces
Improves bud density and airflow

🛠️ Setting Up a ScrOG

What You’ll Need:

A screen or net with 2"x2" to 4"x4" squares
Stakes, PVC frame, or tent poles to support the screen
Healthy, vegging plants (1–4 plants per 2’x4’ area is typical)

Ideal Timing:

Start when your plant is about 6–10 inches tall, before the screen is installed about 8–12 inches above the pot.

🪴 ScrOG Technique: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Install the Screen

Mount a trellis net or screen above the pots (adjustable is ideal). Make sure it’s sturdy enough to support the weight of heavy buds later.

Step 2: Grow into the Screen

As your plant grows, guide the top growth through the screen. Once a branch pokes above, tuck it sideways under the next square. This encourages lateral growth and an even canopy.

Step 3: Fill the Screen

Keep tucking branches horizontally across the net until most of the screen is filled. This usually takes 2–3 weeks, depending on the strain and environment.

Step 4: Flip to Flower

Once ~75% of the screen is filled, switch to 12/12 light cycle to initiate flowering. The plant will stretch and fill the rest of the screen during early bloom.

Step 5: Support & Prune

As buds grow, support heavy branches with extra ties if needed. Prune lower foliage and growth below the screen to focus energy on top colas.

✅ Pro Tip: Use only one or two plants per screen for best results. It’s easier to control and reduces the risk of overcrowding.

🌿 LST vs ScrOG: Which One Should You Use?

Feature	LST	ScrOG
Skill Level	Beginner-Friendly	Intermediate
Equipment Needed	Minimal (ties, stakes)	Screen or trellis net
Plant Count	Ideal for multiple plants	Works best with 1–2 plants
Space Efficiency	Moderate	Very High
Yield Potential	High	Very High
Strain Compatibility	Autoflower & photoperiod	Photoperiod preferred

🧠 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re working with limited space or want to boost your yields organically, LST and ScrOG are powerful tools to add to your cannabis grower's toolbox. They take advantage of the plant’s natural phototropism and growth habits — allowing you to sculpt your crop for maximum light exposure, airflow, and bud production.

Best of all? These techniques cost next to nothing but can double or triple your yield when done correctly.