Hanzy4200
Member
Of all the stages in the growing process, this has to be the most nerve wracking. First the Golden Burley. I have already harvested the lower 4-5 leaves over the last couple weeks, and they have color cured nicely. However, the more research I do, I'm wondering if they were actually prime to be picked. They are taking on the telltale signs of mottled yellow and white, but are for the most part perfectly smooth. Every picture I can find of mature Burley, shows a yellow/white leaf the is very bumpy and almost wrinkled. It is essentially the opposite with the Virginia Brightleaf. They are very bumpy and "alligator skin" looking, yet they are only showing moderate mottled yellow spots, less than 20% yellowing. All picture I can find show a leaf almost completely golden in color. Should I wait? I would really hate to have put so many hours of work in only to render my tobacco inferior because of picking it too early.
Also, the "stems will snap like celery" bit isn't very helpful. I know from experience that many stems can snap off liker this long before ripe. I can also not base harvest off of flowering timeframe. I foolishly didn't keep a grow log and planted several sets at different times.
I'm sorry that I cannot provide pictures. I sat here and tried for an hour and it just isn't happening. Very difficult to upload here.
Also, the "stems will snap like celery" bit isn't very helpful. I know from experience that many stems can snap off liker this long before ripe. I can also not base harvest off of flowering timeframe. I foolishly didn't keep a grow log and planted several sets at different times.
I'm sorry that I cannot provide pictures. I sat here and tried for an hour and it just isn't happening. Very difficult to upload here.