How do YOU train into flower?

[Blowdout2269]

Sorry if the title is confusing. Hopefully it was enough to grab your attention and bring you here!

I've been curious about this, and am interested to know how everyone does it. I'm sure there probably isn't a right or wrong about it, but would love to hear your own rhyme or reason. So here's the question(s):

Do you LST through the stretch or let her go unrestrained and then continue afterwards?
Do you do differently with an autoflower?
Do you do something different all together?
Please explain.

I generally keep 'em tied down into and through flower, or at least until I feel that she'll stay put enough in the position I want for good light penetration. But this new grow, my first DWC, I'm contemplating letting them go unrestrained until after the stretch and then continue LST.
My only fear is that I'm going to have a serious jungle on my hands, lol.

All responses appreciated.
Thanks for reading!

[OldManGrower]

I start LST shortly after I top the plants and continue through flowering. I do this for autos and photos,

[SoOrbudgal]

I grow mostly smaller photoperiod indica strain with occational higher sativa traits. I train LST, topping, manifolds early on in veg. I wait till their approx. 1month for topping ( at least 6 nodes) LST and adjust those tie downs throughout the stretch into late flower. Then it depends on the heights i do release some from restraints but i also clip and lollipop mid flower or so.

[DW2]

Howdy Blowdout2269, I usually start the LST right at, or just after the 12/12 switch. If the plants start growing fast, I will start the LST earlier. I do the training throughout the bloom until it becomes a more of a 'supporting to keep the stems from breaking' (and yes, I am bragging and complaining at the same time. LOL!!!).
This next grow (number 12) I am using new lights. I got rid of the old cfl setup (due to in availability and cost) and replaced them with two Mars Hydro TS1000W led lamps.

[Going2fast]

I'm all about punishing them early. I will start pulling the top down as soon as the third node. That's also strain dependant. I'm talking indoor autoflower now. I don't top autos but that's my preference. I've managed to keep even the stretchiest of sativa's from getting over 3 feet tall with strategic manipulation. Outdoor photos are totally getting topped. And I plan on doing my first indoor photo run soon and they will get topped.

[Blowdout2269]

Great responses! Thanks guys and gal.
This is basically how I do things, but LST has proven somewhat difficult with a hydro tote, lol. Anyone got some tricks for tote restraints, and still being able to remove the lid when needed? Cuz this root ball is already quite heavy. Right now I use binder clips and plant ties.

[DW2]

Howdy Blowdout2269, I have several screw eyes installed in the lid of my totes. Just drill a small hole and screw them in. They provide a secure location to tie off the hold down wires. I have them placed so that each net pot has four tiedown points around it. The only thing that I would do differently would be to use a larger 1/2-inch diameter eye screw instead of the 3/8-inch ones that I started with (easier to use when one has fat fingers! LOL).

[Going2fast]

Milk crates. Gives you tie down points.

[Blowdout2269]

Ahh, yes. But that would only really work with my soil grows. But I don't mind poking holes in pots, lol. I'm more so referring to this 15 gallon bin. Cuz I wouldn't want to untie everytime to check under the hood.