Ripping out plant at seco line

[Davo]

I read recently about a grower ripping out his bright leaf plants when they reach the seco line (6th leaf?) and then planting another.

Has anyone done this before?

The rationale was that he only used the tobacco for pipe blends and found the lower leaves to be the less harsh. By doing this he could sow 3or4 times in the season and only have the leaves he wanted.

Depending on feedback, I might try doing this with some cherry red just to see what happens

 

[GreenDragon]

This seams illogical to me. Pipe blends are generally a mix of both varieties and / or stalk position. Lower leaf typically gives good burn and volume, while upper leaves bring strength and flavor depth to a blend. I think if you did this you will ultimately be disappointed with the end result.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Even if that worked, that's not you. You smoke a lot of burley, not a bunch of indistinct, and wussy seco and lugs.

 

[plantdude]

Like the others I think you would be missing out on a lot of good leaf if you went that route. If you want a lighter smoke adjust the varieties you are growing. Their are some threads on this forum dealing with Canadian varieties for cigarettes that want a mild smoke. A lot of the orientals are also mild. There's nothing wrong with going a bit lighter with different varieties if it suits your tastes, there is a reason most people don't grow and smoke tobacco strains that knocks their socks off - it's not enjoyable

For blending purposes you are probably going to want some of those upper leaves. I suppose if you find you like a lot of the lower leaves in proportion to upper leaves you can give your idea a try. I would start off on a small scale though.

If you are feeling really experimental you could probably whack a few of your existing plants back and let them resucker near the ground if you wanted to avoid replanting seed and save a few weeks. The suckers may quickly turn out stronger than seco though - I notice some of my late season suckers got up to about 8 small leaves and tried to flower, no idea on their strength.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Total alkaloids increases with lower topping height, so this would do the opposite of what buddy said.

It appears that protein and sugar levels are unaffected.

Personally, I go for close spacing. According to this research, yield per acre is best, topped at 18 leaves, and planted at 38cm x 107cm (15"x42") apart, but is lowest in alkaloids.
Delhi-34 topping and spacing study

 

[deluxestogie]

I read recently about a grower ripping out his bright leaf plants

The quick answer is that, despite nearly a decade of extensive posts (nearly 175,000!) on this forum, you certainly didn't read it here. Until this thread.

Bob

 

[Davo]

The quick answer is that, despite nearly a decade of extensive posts (nearly 175,000!) on this forum, you certainly didn't read it here. Until this thread.

Bob

No I didn’t, that’s why I asked. It was an old curiosity killed the cat situation

 

[plantdude]

Besides the pain of unbearable humiliation and public mockery it never hurts to asks. Kidding of course - if most of knew everything we wouldn't be here. Questions are good, especially the rare ones I can get correct