Radagast Grow blog attempt 2020

[deluxestogie]

It does look pretty, but the stem seems suspiciously soft.

Bob

 

[Radagast]

It does look pretty, but the stem seems suspiciously soft.

Bob

Hmm.. should be crispy?

 

[Knucklehead]

Hmm.. should be crispy?

Yes. Otherwise that area could mold or rot. Crispy, crunchy, dry, dry, then spritz it with a little water so you can handle it and store in low case.

 

[Radagast]

Yes. Otherwise that area could mold or rot. Crispy, crunchy, dry, dry, then spritz it with a little water so you can handle it and store in low case.

Dig

 

[deluxestogie]

If your flue-cure follows the chart, and holds at 165°F for at least 24 hours, you should have a crispy stem. Since your leaf was already yellow, you could skip the first 2 days of yellowing, and immediately start raising the temp toward 120°F over a day, 135°F over the next day, then jack it up to 165°F, and hold for at least a day.

Bob

 

[Radagast]

If your flue-cure follows the chart, and holds at 165°F for at least 24 hours, you should have a crispy stem. Since your leaf was already yellow, you could skip the first 2 days of yellowing, and immediately start raising the temp toward 120°F over a day, 135°F over the next day, then jack it up to 165°F, and hold for at least a day.

Bob

Nice. That is a handy little chart I might print that out and stick it to the can. Thanks!

 

[deluxestogie]

When I'm actively doing flue-curing (which is only for about 6 weeks every few years), I set that chart as my Windows wallpaper.

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Nice. That is a handy little chart I might print that out and stick it to the can. Thanks!

I suggest you to get it tattooed.

 

[Radagast]

4 casualties in goof ball dog related incident..
Any hope of these gcr leaves curing prematurely?

 

[deluxestogie]

If those victim leaves are a flue-cure variety, stick them into your flue-curing chamber, and hold the temp at 100°F, until they yellow. That may take 4 or 5 days just to yellow.

Bob

 

[Radagast]

If those victim leaves are a flue-cure variety, stick them into your flue-curing chamber, and hold the temp at 100°F, until they yellow. That may take 4 or 5 days just to yellow.

Bob

Thanks.. It's goose creek red which is a "dark air" variety and also is the same thing that produced that beautiful yellow leaf that flue cured perfectly so it's worth a shot.

 

[Oldfella]

Thanks.. It's goose creek red which is a "dark air" variety and also is the same thing that produced that beautiful yellow leaf that flue cured perfectly so it's worth a shot.

I have had some success with green leaf cureing. They must be damp dry, if that makes sense. Use the cardboard box, if you could get a few more leaves it would be better. Layer 1 leaf, 1-2 sheets of paper fill the box if possible. Keep it warm and cozy, check and turn the leaves daily to start with then every two days, that is to check for mould and rot. The process has worked out great for me.
Once they are nice yellow colour take out and treat it as normal.
Good luck with that.
Oldfella

 

[MRM]

[/QUOTE]

Nice. That is a handy little chart I might print that out and stick it to the can. Thanks!

got it laminated and stapled to my door

 

[Radagast]

I have had some success with green leaf cureing. They must be damp dry, if that makes sense. Use the cardboard box, if you could get a few more leaves it would be better. Layer 1 leaf, 1-2 sheets of paper fill the box if possible. Keep it warm and cozy, check and turn the leaves daily to start with then every two days, that is to check for mould and rot. The process has worked out great for me.
Once they are nice yellow colour take out and treat it as normal.
Good luck with that.
Oldfella

How long does this typically take for you?

 

[Oldfella]

How long does this typically take for you?

Hard to say as they don't all yellow at the same time. But it can be 7 -10 days, you can't rush it, it's a natural process and they'll turn when they are ready. You will need to replace the paper every time, it will rot if you don't. You can dry the paper to reuse, I end up with it all round the house.

Note how green the leaf is that you can see by daughter, it'll yellow up nicely in a day or two. It's a little bit trial and error. Good luck with it, you'll be right.
Oldfella

 

[Radagast]

Hard to say as they don't all yellow at the same time. But it can be 7 -10 days, you can't rush it, it's a natural process and they'll turn when they are ready. You will need to replace the paper every time, it will rot if you don't. You can dry the paper to reuse, I end up with it all round the house.
View attachment 31731
Note how green the leaf is that you can see by daughter, it'll yellow up nicely in a day or two. It's a little bit trial and error. Good luck with it, you'll be right.
Oldfella

I'll try it with some of the first primings coming up soon. Thanks a lot!

 

[Radagast]

That last post was supposed to say primings, not 'prolongs'. [fixed]
Anyhoo, those leaves that got knocked off got half toasted when I carelessly left them in the sun so I made some Cavendish out of it just for fun..

I dried it in the oven so I could rip a quick bowl of it and I'm surprised to report that it is FANTASTIC.
It's dark raisony, bready sweet and a bit peppery all at once. Couldn't believe how nicely it smoked. There were a hint or two of 'green-ness' here and there, if that makes sense, but faint and I didn't mind. I may not be the best judge, I like almost all of the tobaccos I've ever smoked. However, the fact I grew this myself (with all of your help of course), coupled with extremely low expectations, made this one of the most satisfying smokes of my life.
Can't wait to do this with actual nicely cured and kilned homegrown! Must be mind-blowing.

 

[Radagast]

Anybody think the lower leaves of these burley plants might be ready to prime? I know its tough to say from pictures..

 

[Alpine]

Yep, the first for or five leaves look ripe enough to be harvested. What strain of burley are you growing?

pier

 

[deluxestogie]

Prime the yellow ones.

Bob