Thanks to rainmax, I now have seed for two Macedonian Prilep varieties:
Prilep is an Oriental, closely related to Xanthi Yaka. So far as I can determine, Prilep as a variety was intentionally developed (in the 1930s) in the town of Prilep, and currently accounts for most of the tobacco production of Macedonia.
Prilep is widely used as an Oriental component in cigarettes. It is reportedly more aromatic than Xanthi.
I have started germination of the two Prilep varieties, have retained some seed of each, and have already forwarded seed for each to the FTT seed bank on Maks' behalf.
Curiously, in searching widely for information on Prilep tobacco, I found a brief and easy to read article discussing Prilep P66-9/7 specifically -- one of the two that I have. It was developed in the past 20 years, and is reported to be superb in both productivity and quality.
Some excerpts:
I will, of course, report my experience with both Prilep varieties this year in my grow log. Thanks again to rainmax.
Bob
- Prilep P66-9/7
- Prilep P79-94
Prilep is an Oriental, closely related to Xanthi Yaka. So far as I can determine, Prilep as a variety was intentionally developed (in the 1930s) in the town of Prilep, and currently accounts for most of the tobacco production of Macedonia.
Prilep is widely used as an Oriental component in cigarettes. It is reportedly more aromatic than Xanthi.
I have started germination of the two Prilep varieties, have retained some seed of each, and have already forwarded seed for each to the FTT seed bank on Maks' behalf.
Curiously, in searching widely for information on Prilep tobacco, I found a brief and easy to read article discussing Prilep P66-9/7 specifically -- one of the two that I have. It was developed in the past 20 years, and is reported to be superb in both productivity and quality.
Some excerpts:
...transplanted at 45 cm spacing between rows and 15 cm within the row. [~18" x 6"]
The Prilep 66-9/7 variety was included in the list of newly recognized domestic agricultural crops in 2004.
Plants are ellipsoid-conic in shape, with height average of 65-75 cm [25.6-29.5"], depending on conditions of growing and applied cultural practices. The stalk is relatively thin and strong. Average leaf number of leaves is 52 and they are uniformly distributed on the stem. Average size is in the limits of 18 - 22 cm [7-8.7"] for the largest leaf, 16-18 cm [6.3-7"] for the middle and 8 - 10 [3.1-3.9"] for the top leaves. Inflorescence is relatively small, moderately to tightly condensed, semi-oval in shape.
Prilep 66-9/7 is suitable for growing at loose, light and drained soils, with poor supply of nutrient elements, showing especially good results under irrigation conditions. The variety also achieves good yields and quality in soils with medium supply of nutrients, where no possibilities for irrigation exist, yielding small-leaf aromatic and substantial tobacco typical for the type Prilep. Intensive raining during the growing period can lead to some increase of lower middle leaves, but it doesn't affect the quality of tobacco.
The first leaves ripe about 40 days after transplanting, and the total period to the end of maturation of top leaves is 115 - 120 days. Majority of leaves are ripening simultaneously. Tobacco is primed in 6 to 7 hands, picking 5-8 leaves together. The variety is resistant to blue mold and bassara [sic] disease, and tolerant to viruses.
...nicotine 1.0 % (irrigated) - 2.30 % (non-irrigated)...
During smoking, this tobacco is medium in strength, with full and sweetish taste and strongly expressed, intensive aroma.
Prilep 66-9/7 achieves higher productivity than the existing commercialized varieties and it is suitable for obtaining a standard, authentic and high-quality raw of tobacco type Prilep.
http://www.diagnosisp.com/dp/journals/view_pdf.php?journal_id=1&archive=1&issue_id=27&article_id=931
I will, of course, report my experience with both Prilep varieties this year in my grow log. Thanks again to rainmax.
Bob
