The 6 best low stress workout clips and ties

Depending on your end goal, there are many ways to grow cannabis. If you’re aiming for big yields, then low-stress training is a technique your plants could benefit from. If you don’t grow weed, you may not be familiar with this method; But luckily, there are experts who can give you advice on how to use it.

We reached out to Brandon Alonzo, grow manager at The Flower Shop in Arizona, who uses low-stress training at various stages of the grow.

Find out below how to apply this method to your own cannabis plants.

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What is low-stress training for weed?

Low-stress training, or LST for short, is a cannabis growing method that involves training cannabis plants to grow horizontally instead of vertically.

By gently bending the plant stems sideways, LST allows the plants to have even light penetration and even airflow to the lower parts of the branches, ultimately increasing the size of the lower buds and leading to higher yields. This method can be used indoors, outdoors and in greenhouses.

Plants normally receive the most direct light towards the tops of the bush, which is why the top buds are so thick and hearty compared to the bottom buds – so-called “little” or “B” buds. The more light reaches the plants, the more photosynthesis can take place, resulting in larger buds along each plant. It ends up giving you more weed per crop.

LST vs Topping: What’s the Difference?

Low-stress training can be compared to high-stress training methods such as topping, which removes the growing tops of plants. By removing the growth tips, the plants adopt a bushier structure with additional side branches; However, this method can increase your harvest time as the plant needs to recover from the stress.

According to Alonzo, topping a plant is better than LST, but LST still has its advantages. “Overall, in a commercial setting, ‘topping’ a plant to encourage lateral growth is far superior to LST based solely on how long it takes to properly train a plant,” he explained. “However, whether you’re growing in a 100,000 square foot space or 100 square feet, LST has its advantages when it’s time to bloom.”

If topping is better, why and how does The Flower Shop use LST? “At The Flower Shop we use the LST method with our mother plants to maximize the number of clones they can produce, while also topping a little here and there. We also use the LST technique outside in the flower room, unless it’s a naturally short variety.”

Low Stress Training Clips are plastic clips that help bend the cannabis plant so it can grow horizontally. They gently hold the plants in place so that the plants get even light in all places.

For LST tools in general, the requirements are pretty straightforward as the equipment needed doesn’t have to be premium and expensive. Alonzo said: “You can take an easy, cheap route by just using plant tape and clips, maybe even a few plant yo-yos here and there. It’s not necessarily the quality of the equipment that’s needed, but the time and effort expended to achieve the desired results.”

In the end, you really only want clips, zip ties, and wires that are strong, durable, reusable, and inexpensive.

The best clips for grass training

With low stress cannabis clips, you want to be looking for something inexpensive and durable that can be bought in bulk. You want clips that are gentle on your plants since the goal is low stress.

AirTech Home Automation LST clips

The AirTech Home Automation LSTclips can be bought from Amazon and will be at your doorstep within two days. These plant training clips are advertised as great for grow tents, greenhouses and outdoor gardens.

AirTech LSTclips help increase airflow and light transmission and are also great for tight spaces. The design allows for minimal contact with the plant, resulting in low stress and preventing breakage. These clips also have holes for using exercise bands and wires.

You can buy them in quantities of 30 for only $15. They are available in green, blue and white.

BudClips

BudClips come in a pack of 20 with yellow clips for $16. The website says they last 10+ years so are reusable. With the BudClips you don’t need to use cable ties, which is why they don’t have holes like the AirTech LSTclips.

According to the BudClips website, “BudClips work by permanently bending your branches into place, opening up your canopy for more light and airflow, and creating extra-strong stems.”

Best ties for training grass

Another way to stress-free train your cannabis is to use exercise bands. They basically bend the plant and then tie the branches to keep them horizontal. It levels the canopy. Alonzo shared, “You want ties that are durable, washable, and inexpensive.” Pretty simple, right?

Telent Outdoors Soft Plant Ties

Get 88 feet of training wire and 20 plant clips for less than $10 with Telent Outdoors plant ties. These cable ties are made of rubber which is gentler on your plants than hard plastics or metal wires which can damage plant tissue.

The UM24 Plant Twist Ties

The Um24 Plant Twist Ties come pre-cut unlike the other wires which you either have to break or cut. They are rubber cords that bend easily and are soft to plants.

These ribbons are also easily cut with scissors or scissors. The UM42 plant ties twist like haversack ties so they can be easily tightened and/or twisted open for reuse. They come in a set of 40 for under $10.

Best wire for grass training

Just like clips and zip ties, garden wires can be used to hold curved plants in place for stress-free cannabis training. “Wires,” Alonzo said, “should be rubberized so you don’t cut the branch. It is imperative that you step LST to minimize breakage.”

BudHugger’s Low Stress Training Wire

BudHuggers wires are super affordable and have a rubber coating that won’t cut your plants. According to the website, the rubber is super thin and can be hand washed and reused for up to five years. You can purchase the BudHuggers training wire in 16 foot or 50 foot rolls.

Care Home Soft Plant Wire

Care Home Soft Plant Wire is an affordable option for anyone looking to use LST when growing cannabis. They’re rubberized, which you understand is a priority at this point, and can be bought on Amazon in 164-foot lengths for a whopping $21. This might be the best deal out of all the options listed above.