Mine are not topped. I sun cured in bud bags last year so the small leaf size was no problem. Just stack the leaf in the bags and lay them out in the sun. They cure from the outside of the leaf to the inside. I rotate the stack inside out every couple of days. No stringing tiny leaf. Oh, yeah, I let them yellow in the shop before I put them outside. I tried putting green leaf straight to the sun but some of them had some green in them after drying. That may be normal I'm not sure.
If istanbulin doesn't show up pretty soon, send him a PM with your variety. Personally, I really like the mild aromatic flavor of a traditionally grown and cured Oriental in my cigarettes. If you want more nicotine, add Dark Air.