Green pattern on leaves
- Thread starter Paul
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Mildew, mold, rot. Definitely abnormal, and is an issue I see on some varieties that remain in higher humidity for too long. I just allow the leaves to cure, and remove any parts that seem icky, before using the leaf.
Bob
It actually looks the same as mildew on a nylon backpacking tent that has been stored without drying. Mildew is mold. They're all fungal growth. (I recall that US troops in the Philippine jungles during WW2 discovered that the glass lenses on their binoculars and spectacles eventually molded.) A lot of the "art" of curing tobacco is geographical location, climatic conditions and luck of the draw for the immediate weather during the actual color-curing event.
I usually expect ~5% leaf loss from assorted, unfortunate outcomes. Some varieties seem to seldom have issues, while others seem to invite every bug and spore.
Bob
I usually expect ~5% leaf loss from assorted, unfortunate outcomes. Some varieties seem to seldom have issues, while others seem to invite every bug and spore.
Bob
I've just had a thought. I think I sprayed these leaves with water - I thought they might be drying too quickly and the humidity had gone down to about 60%. Rather than "misting the air" I was probably more heavy handed. I noticed a few adjacent leaves, even though they were originally fully brown, now have some similar green. So it is not Chlorophyll, but likely the mildew you suggest. This prompts another question - does that mean it will be OK to smoke?
Mildew on tobacco makes it taste unpleasant. I would wait until you are ready to use it, then discard the mildew parts.
Bob
Bob
Smileysmile66
Active Member
Are leaves that look like this smokeabel ?
My leaves like this loose their green tint while aging/kilning.
They are often mixed with my other leaves, so I am not sure, but they are probably less good.
I've looked at my very small production from last year.... and smoked a few similar leaves. They are not horrible (like the green leaves) so I guess they are tolerable in a mix.
In this world, where every leaf is valuable, I will appreciate being able to smoke them. Our standards may be less than in the US where you can order leaf really cheap. How I envy you.
In this world, where every leaf is valuable, I will appreciate being able to smoke them. Our standards may be less than in the US where you can order leaf really cheap. How I envy you.
Bex
Well-Known Member
Sadly, it appears that thanks to the weather in Donegal, my tobacco growing days may be over. Our summer temps this year rarely hit beyond 15C (60F). Paul, I was wondering how your crop did? I assume you’re further south than I am. After my whole journey with this (learning to cure, etc.), it’s rather sad that actually growing the plants turned out to be the hardest part of all.....
Don't despair just yet. Here in southwest Virginia, my tobacco crop was a dismal thing for 2020 as well. Sometimes unfortunate weather patterns are a one-off phenomenon. Sometimes, they are a harbinger of a persistent trend.
Bob
Bob
Bex
Well-Known Member
Always hopeful!! LOL. I tried to grow a few Virginia plants in my unheated greenhouse this year - another disaster as the weather was cold and damp. Ugh. But I am too ignorant to give up....next year may be better!! Fingers crossed this was a one-off.
For all but the most pristine of agricultural areas, cold and damp is more than just cold and damp. Those are conditions that promote various pathogens of solanaceous plants: phytothora; mildew; brown spot; etc. Not only do pathogens spread more easily, but the slower growth of plants reduces their ability to overcome the pathogens.
Bob
Bob
Hi Bex, good to see you back. I'm at roughly the same northern level as Donegal town, but on the east coast. This year I had 50 plants in 14 litre buckets, outside, but sheltered. I grew Virginian Gold#3, African Red, Kentucky 15 and some Bursa. African Red and Virginia Gold were great - tall plants and big (but not that heavy) leaves. Half of the the K15 stayed quite small, half were good. The Bursa was good. I suspect I could increase my yield if I used bigger containers (30 litre?) . I flue cured about 10 loads of the VG and AR in my bin (trashcan). I had planned to air cure everything else in a cheap plastic greenhouse, but it blew down. I was lucky with humidity levels in my garage - higher than usual for a period - so I got much less green than last year. I also "boxed" the leaves until they were pretty yellow before hanging. So, in summary, better than last year, but more improvement required. I'm retiring in January, so perhaps next year I'll put more time into it.Sadly, it appears that thanks to the weather in Donegal, my tobacco growing days may be over. Our summer temps this year rarely hit beyond 15C (60F). Paul, I was wondering how your crop did? I assume you’re further south than I am. After my whole journey with this (learning to cure, etc.), it’s rather sad that actually growing the plants turned out to be the hardest part of all.....
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