Leaf Maturity

[FmGrowit]

Re: Immaturity

Just a point of clarification...

I made the remark about Cuban tobacco being harvested before it was mature. I should have said "it is harvested before it is ripe". There's a world of difference between immature leaf and "under-ripe leaf".


Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Moshe Kassirer]

Re: Immaturity

I made the remark about Cuban tobacco being harvested before it was mature. I should have said "it is harvested before it is ripe". There's a world of difference between immature leaf and "under-ripe leaf".

FmGrowit

This is a very importent point.
Maybe because of my English; when I say immaturity as the title of the post,
I mean very green, under-ripe, like those sucker i cut.

So what is the different between immature and not-ripe in Tobacco leaf?
How to identify?

But anyway, If I understend you right, the cubans harvest when its under-ripe..

Thank you.

 

[deluxestogie]

Re: Immaturity

Cigar leaf is generally harvested when mature, but not ripe. When a leaf matures, it becomes thicker, develops a rugose (rumpled) surface, and begins to show a slight yellowing. A ripe leaf shows extensive yellowing.

For my cigar leaf, the easiest way to determine when to prime the leaf (pick it) is when it begins to show a slight yellow tip. Some growers will pick it earlier than that for cigar, especially for wrapper.

Bob

 

[Moshe Kassirer]

Re: Immaturity

Thank you Bob.

I want to ask it different.
Is there any danger with smoking (very) immaturity leaves?

 

[Knucklehead]

Re: Immaturity

Thank you Bob.

I want to ask it different.
Is there any danger with smoking (very) immaturity leaves?

There is no danger. You may encounter curing problems (or you may not), and the leaf will not be as strong in nicotine or as flavorful if harvested too early as compared to allowing the leaf to reach maturity (for cigars) or to become ripe (for cigarettes). Sometimes, there is no way around harvesting leaf too early, as happened to me last year when I planted my second patch late in the year and the frosts came early. I either had to harvest the leaf too green, or allow the frost to kill it. In which case I would have lost all my hard work. So, I harvested the last of my primings very green before the frost came.

 

[Moshe Kassirer]

Re: Immaturity

Thank you Knucklehed.
The sucker crop I take off are very sticky and thick. I hope its indicate about the taste.

 

[Moshe Kassirer]

Re: Immaturity

As it can seen, some of my plants grow to 6 foot hight but in a very diluted way.
I know that when a Lettuce come to this stage (and looking quite similar) its the end of the plant life and the leaves become very bitter.

Is it the time for cutting off the whole plant?

 

[Knucklehead]

Re: Immaturity

Has that plant flowered yet?

 

[Moshe Kassirer]

Re: Immaturity

Yes. I cut it down in the very begging of the bloom. when it was only bud.

 

[Moshe Kassirer]

Re: Immaturity

Has that plant flowered yet?

Yes, It start its flowering again (second time).

 

[DonH]

Re: Immaturity

After topping (removing the flower head) you want to wait about 4 weeks or a little more before harvesting. The leaves will get better as the plant isn't spending energy on making seeds. So it's not like lettuce.

 

[webmost]

Re: Immaturity

I wish someone would re-name this thread. Every time I see the word "immaturity" I think they are talking bout me and my head goes up. I'm getting a crick in my neck over here.

 

[deluxestogie]

The title did have a bit of a behavioral connotation. Fixed.

Bob

 

[Brown Thumb]

The title did have a bit of a behavioral connotation. Fixed.

Bob

Thank You,
BT

 

[Knucklehead]

Re: Immaturity

I wish someone would re-name this thread. Every time I see the word "immaturity" I think they are talking bout me and my head goes up. I'm getting a crick in my neck over here.

I kept thinking the same thing!! What did I do now? lol

 

[webmost]

Re: Immaturity

I kept thinking the same thing!! What did I do now? lol

Oh grow up.

 

[Moshe Kassirer]

LOL

 

[Knucklehead]

Re: Immaturity

Oh grow up.

I'm telling.

 

[webmost]

Re: Immaturity

I'm telling.

Don't make me have to come back there.

 

[Hanzy4200]

Basically all tobacco used for making cigars is harvested green. It is still fairly mature, but not showing any real signs of yellowing. One thing I have tried that could really help, is pile curing. Stack your leaves on top of each other, and place them in a warm, but shaded located. Every day, take them apart and re-organize them. In 2-4 days you should start to see yellowing and can hang them. This process basically allows the leaf to die (yellow), while still allowing it to hold it's moisture and greatly helps to avoid drying green.