Training is the fastest path to more yield without spending more money. But with half a dozen techniques, each with its own acronym and Reddit following, it's hard to know which ones matter for your setup.
This guide puts them all in one place: what they do, when to use them, how they combine, and which ones to skip as a beginner.
The comparison table
| Technique | Yield boost | Difficulty | Recovery time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LST (Low Stress Training) | +15–30% | Easy | None (no stress) | Every grow, every skill level |
| Topping | +20–40% | Easy | 3–7 days | Any grower after their first grow |
| FIM | +15–30% | Easy | 3–5 days | Same as topping with less precision needed |
| Mainlining / manifolding | +30–50% | Medium | 2–4 weeks total | Growers with time to veg longer |
| SCROG (Screen of Green) | +30–50% | Medium | None (passive) | Indoor tents with 1–4 plants |
| SOG (Sea of Green) | +20–30% | Easy | None | Many small plants, fast cycles |
| Supercropping | +10–20% | Medium | 3–7 days | Emergency height control, selective bending |
| Defoliation | +5–20% | Easy–Medium | 1–3 days | Dense canopies in mid-late flower |
| Lollipopping | +5–15% | Easy | None | Any indoor grow before flower |
LST — Low Stress Training
What it does: bends branches down and ties them to the pot edge or stakes, creating a flat, even canopy without cutting the plant.
How to do it:
- Wait until the plant has 4–5 nodes
- Gently bend the main stem 90° and tie it to the pot rim (use soft plant wire or garden clips, never string that cuts into stems)
- As branches grow upward from the bent stem, tie those down too
- Continue until the canopy is a flat, bush-like shape
Why it works: by bending the main stem below the side branches, you break apical dominance. The plant distributes growth hormones (auxins) more evenly, and every branch becomes a potential cola instead of just the top.
Combine with: everything. LST is compatible with every other technique and should be part of every indoor grow. It costs nothing and adds 15–30% yield for 5 minutes of work per day.
Topping
What it does: cuts the main growth tip, causing two branches to grow from the cut site. Each new branch can be topped again, doubling your cola count with each cut.
How to do it:
- Wait until the plant has 5–6 nodes (3–4 weeks from seed)
- Cut the stem cleanly above the 3rd or 4th node with sterilized scissors
- Two branches grow from the cut site
- Optionally top again after 1–2 weeks for 4 main colas