lynamfamily4

it's been raining here alot and when it does the leaves are getting stuck in the mud and the ants or something are eating up them leaves. and also them leaves and stems are breaking off so i took off the ties today i think lst is just for inside growth?

farmergiles

Nope, lst is a valid technique outside.

But because the sun moves in an arc throughout the day the lower parts of the plant will get more light outside than in most indoor setups, so it is less crucial. lst is just a tool to encourage your plant grow in the shape you want it to.

If they're dragging in the mud just release them a little so they lean upwards away from the ground. Or you could make covers for the soil around them out of white plastic- this will stop mud splashing up on them and reflect light back up at the leaves. In any case try and have some air gap under the leaves.


Don't feel you have to use lst, maybe it's better to just practise keeping them green and healthy first time around.

Edit: Or let them get a little taller first.

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stoneric

Even using LST indoors results in leaves in the soil. If you tie the plant down far enough some leaves should be in the mud. Indoors, I just trim them.