johnlee's grow log 2013

[Knucklehead]

John, I've been using the stringing horse method you are talking about. The way I string is to make two full wraps around approx. three stems. You want to start your wrap so the tag end and running end cross each other when finished with the wrap, rather than tag end entering one side and running end exiting the other without crossing. This will mean first wrap going clockwise around the stem on your side of the stick, counterclockwise on the opposite side of the stick. Once you've made the two wraps (no knots, just wraps), roll the bundle of leaves toward your starting point to tighten up the bundle and snug it with the bundle opposite it. As the leaf dries, you may need to tighten the whole by beginning with the first bundle, roll it, and work your way from starting point to ending point giving each bundle a roll. Works great and I've not had one single leaf fall out, and I can completely let go of the string between bundles. The leaves will hold in place while you make your next bundle. It goes really fast once you get the rhythm. I think the important part is making sure the tag and running ends cross over one another, this seems to form a semi self tightening wrap.

 

[johnlee1933]

John, I've been using the stringing horse method you are talking about. The way I string is to make two full wraps around approx. three stems. You want to start your wrap so the tag end and running end cross each other when finished with the wrap, rather than tag end entering one side and running end exiting the other without crossing. This will mean first wrap going clockwise around the stem on your side of the stick, counterclockwise on the opposite side of the stick. Once you've made the two wraps (no knots, just wraps), roll the bundle of leaves toward your starting point to tighten up the bundle and snug it with the bundle opposite it. As the leaf dries, you may need to tighten the whole by beginning with the first bundle, roll it, and work your way from starting point to ending point giving each bundle a roll. Works great and I've not had one single leaf fall out, and I can completely let go of the string between bundles. The leaves will hold in place while you make your next bundle. It goes really fast once you get the rhythm. I think the important part is making sure the tag and running ends cross over one another, this seems to form a semi self tightening wrap.

The lady in the video seems to be using only one wrap. The trick as I see it is when she reverses the next leaves as she hangs then on the other side of the stick. Are you doing it substantially different?

 

[Knucklehead]

Not substantially, mainly two wraps and making sure they cross. I'll go get some pictures.

 

[workhorse_01]

John you should see my momma do it. she can really go. It takes two handers to keep up with her. She grades and ties hands too. Don't ask her to grade yours like I did, She'll make you feel bad.

 

[Knucklehead]

The first and last pictures are Samsun-Maden. The ones in the pictures are two to six inches long. That's why I used the narrow side of the stick. That's why I like this method, the two wraps will hold leaf that small. Not one leaf has come out. The middle picture is of dried Va lugs that are almost totally dry except for the stem and a little bit of the leaf next to the stem. Very light and not one leaf has come loose. I've tightened this bunch one time by sliding them all down the stick. When there's no room to do that, you have to roll the bundles to tighten. The humidity has been so high, I've been running my industrial shop fan right on the leaf. These dried leaves blow around like tree leaves in a 20 mph wind, again, not one lost leaf. You can see what I mean about the tag and running ends crossing from the top view.

 

[johnlee1933]

You seem to be using much heavier string than I do. Mine is standard cotton butcher's string and I chose it because it is what my commercial friend uses and it's pretty cheap. It's plenty strong enough and cuts into the stems a bit more than yours. Thanks for the tips. I'll give then a try.

There is a ceiling fan in the sun porch that runs 24/7. I run it on low all the time except when there is new leaf hanging. Then I speed it up to medium or fast depending on how the air is circulating. It gets over 90° F in there most sunny days and I have three old humidifiers in case the humidity drops too much.

 

[johnlee1933]

John you should see my momma do it. she can really go. It takes two handers to keep up with her. She grades and ties hands too. Don't ask her to grade yours like I did, She'll make you feel bad.

Does she hire out? I can use all the smarts I can rent. LOL

 

[Knucklehead]

The string is layout string I already had for laying out houses. It doesn't have to be near that strong.

 

[marksctm]

I know it works, stringing has been used for years, BUT! how does the leaf not fall out once the (mid rib, stem) shrinks from drying?
It seems if one leaf were to come loose, and fall out, it would start a chain reaction.
I think I could hang a lot more leaf in my shed doing it this way instead of the way i'm doing it.

 

[workhorse_01]

The string cinches as the midrib dries, if you tie it correctly. I tie all mine, even stalk cut, and don't have any fall.

I know it works, stringing has been used for years, BUT! how does the leaf not fall out once the (mid rib, stem) shrinks from drying?
It seems if one leaf were to come loose, and fall out, it would start a chain reaction.
I think I could hang a lot more leaf in my shed doing it this way instead of the way i'm doing it.

 

[workhorse_01]

Knucks, That's a die'n art! In ten years no one will be left who truly knows how it was done in the 40's. and that's a shame to loose their knowledge.

 

[johnlee1933]

Knucks, That's a die'n art! In ten years no one will be left who truly knows how it was done in the 40's. and that's a shame to loose their knowledge.

Get your Mom to do a video and talk about it too! That would be worth it's weight in gold.

 

[workhorse_01]

In my parents time the men picked the bacca, the women tie'd, the girl children handed, and the boy children toted water and threw moist clay balls at the holes in the bacca barn.

 

[johnlee1933]

In my parents time the men picked the bacca, the women tie'd, the girl children handed, and the boy children toted water and threw moist clay balls at the holes in the bacca barn.

Yeah and them shotgun holes was a bitch and real hard to explain.

 

[BarG]

When string tying remember to always start the wrap from outside to start end and they will always cross.

 

[johnlee1933]

The first prime is finished and hung. The change in the patch is apparent. Skinny little stalks sticking out of the ground.



Here is my new tobacco stick storage area first with one stick and then with the entire prime. Each stick is labeled with variety, position and date.



Finally my primitive stick support for stringing with a bare and then fully loaded stick. I believe my packing density is much higher than with my old stringing technique. Since the density is higher I am being more cautious about temp/RH/air flow than I was. I really don't believe mold will be a problem but I'll keep a sharp eye to make sure. I have the ceiling fan and a muffin fan running 24/7. I turn the humidifier on and off as necesssary to hold ~65% RH. We'll see how it goes. This year I brutally discarded leaf that was not at least binder quality. What I grow doesn't taste good to me as filler.

 

[AmaxB]

Is lookin really sweet Johnlee nice and neat added plus the leaf is out of the way but can be easily watched and checked. Bet it goes well with your mornings Sun or Rain. Any time for that matter. You still have a bit in that patch.

 

[DGBAMA]

Very nice. Wish I could bring mine inside.

 

[Knucklehead]

Way to go John! Celebration time now.

 

[Chicken]

very nice looking leaf.. PICTURE PERFECT.