Tobaccofieldsforever 2024 Grow Log

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

Man, both patches look amazing. Hoe for weeding?

Kinda. I prefer a hula hoe, aka stirrup/scuffle/loop hoe. Started using it few years ago and never went back.

 

[Knucklehead]

Kinda. I prefer a hula/stirrup hoe.

I bought a stirrup hoe from johnnyseeds.com. Way easier.

 

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

I bought a stirrup hoe from johnnyseeds.com. Way easier.

Yea, I like calling them hula hoes. Rolls off the tongue nicely BUT sounds like a gimmicky infomercial product. I agree though, easy, versatile and efficient. Cut while pushing OR pulling. Definitely my go to weeding tool.

 

[Huffen'Snuff]

Is there a chance you would bag up, say 20 of them "Unknown Local Burley" seeds for a trade or something?

 

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

Is there a chance you would bag up, say 20 of them "Unknown Local Burley" seeds for a trade or something?

Sure

 

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

Most of my plants are now over my head and I’m 6’1”.

 

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

This year I am planning on letting all my plants flower without topping except maybe the burley. I am doing this because I have noticed leaf from untopped plants is far milder and “smoother” than leaf from topped plants soon after harvest. I know this will impact yield but that is not something I am very concerned about. I’m hoping it will reduce the amount of time between raw product and finished, pleasant product. Are there any issues with this practice that I am not foreseeing?

 

[johnny108]

This year I am planning on letting all my plants flower without topping except maybe the burley. I am doing this because I have noticed leaf from untopped plants is far milder and “smoother” than leaf from topped plants soon after harvest. I know this will impact yield but that is not something I am very concerned about. I’m hoping it will reduce the amount of time between raw product and finished, pleasant product. Are there any issues with this practice that I am not foreseeing?

Nicotine will be very low.

 

[deluxestogie]

Are there any issues with this practice that I am not foreseeing?

• later leaf maturation, so more time in the field
• somewhat lower nicotine
• taller curing-space for stalk-hanging (even after the bud heads are removed)
• fewer suckers

Bob

 

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

Nicotine will be very low.

It will be lower than if topped but I don’t agree that it will be very low. Either way, I have more tobacco stored up than I know what to do with so experimenting with this seasons crop is fine with me.

 

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

• later leaf maturation, so more time in the field
• somewhat lower nicotine
• taller curing-space for stalk-hanging (even after the bud heads are removed)
• fewer suckers

Bob

Thank you bob. I may have changed my mind after reading this study though https://www.coresta.org/sites/defau...o_Science_1975_19-3_p._7-9_ISSN.0082-4523.pdf
This addresses what different stages of topping affect and not topping at all. My concern is lower sugar content which contributes to their conclusion of lower subjective quality. Do you think the drop in sugar content is negligible or will I see a significant drop in “quality” of flue cured leaf? I plan on flue curing as much of my Virginia as possible.

 

[deluxestogie]

Do you think the drop in sugar content is negligible or will I see a significant drop in “quality” of flue cured leaf?

Good question. I don't have a clear answer. "Quality" is a slippery descriptor, especially when linked to a quantitative measure.

In the cited coresta.org paper, the max difference in reducing sugars (early bud topping vs. un-topped) is about 10%. That is certainly within my own home-flue-curing margin of error. Can we even hope to schedule our leaf priming ±10%?

I think it's useful to know the topping-timing / sugar relationship, just to be circumspect when evaluating all your other considerations. Definitely not a solo issue.

Bob

 

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

w

the max difference in reducing sugars (early bud topping vs. un-topped) is about 10%. That is certainly within my own home-flue-curing margin of error. Can we even hope to schedule our leaf priming ±10%?

True. I’m just trying to avoid compounding errors by starting with leaf that already puts me at a disadvantage. However, of the various conclusions the cited paper illustrates, it also aids in reminding me that finished tobacco product ,seemingly on both large and small scale operations, is inconsistent.

 

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

Going to need a step ladder this year!

 

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

Going to need a step ladder this year!
View attachment 52188

Ps: I went ahead and topped most. May leave some still not sure. Not all varieties are even ready to top yet.

 

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

Costello:

Local burley:

Pardon the weeds. I more or less give up on them this time of the year unless they are truly large and or out of control.

 

[deluxestogie]

Your tobacco looks wonderful.

Bob

 

[WillQuantrill]

Costello:
View attachment 52292
Local burley:
View attachment 52293
Pardon the weeds. I more or less give up on them this time of the year unless they are truly large and or out of control.

Man of my own heart. I've been lucky to get 1/2 hour an evening to sucker and prime on my small little patch. Once first prime was done so was my weeding. Your plants look great

 

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

Your tobacco looks wonderful.

Bob

Thank you sir. You played a very large role in everything I know about tobacco to date so the kind words mean a lot.

 

[Tobaccofieldsforever]

Man of my own heart. I've been lucky to get 1/2 hour an evening to sucker and prime on my small little patch. Once first prime was done so was my weeding. Your plants look great

Thank you