removing second set of damaged lower leaves

[Brown Thumb]

Hi Guys and Gals,
When I planted the plants I removed the lower leaves.
Now I am going back and mulching them in since I got the slug problem under control.
Should I remove the second set of lower leaves that are damaged from the slugs they are yellower than the rest.
This is what they look like.
Thanks, Tom

 

[Jitterbugdude]

I do the same thing you are doing. After I plant outside I wait about 2 weeks then mulch under each plant to cut down on the weeds. I do not remove any leaves. I figure if the slugs return, they can eat the already half eaten ones.

 

[Rayshields]

I don't know a lot about growing tobacco yet, but it seems to me that those lower leaves will still contribute to the bud growth and should be left in place.

 

[deluxestogie]

Should I remove the second set of lower leaves that are damaged from the slugs they are yellower than the rest.
This is what they look like.

I'm just guessing here, but the leaves in the photo seem to have been already removed from the plant.

A number of studies have been published on the impact of removing various numbers of lower leaves, even without any particular reason. The thought is that the "extra energy" goes instead to develop the higher quality leaves farther up the plant. It turns out that removing no more than 6 lower leaves results in a marginally higher quality in the upper leaves, but removing more than 6 begins to seriously decrease overall yield.

My own experience is that the bottom four or so leaves end up being pretty trashy, regardless. If they fall off in the field, and sun-cure while lying on the moist earth, they make a pretty nice, mild smoke. But that's about it.

In practice, I don't pay too much attention to those lower leaves. If they are somewhat presentable at harvest time, I prime them and hang them (and label them as mud lugs), otherwise I discard them. In general, mud lugs seldom produce very nice tobacco, even after a month in the kiln. It tends to be low on flavor, nicotine, color and body.

Bob

 

[Chicken]

ive also removed some of my lower leaves,,,,,mainly so water could get into the '' planted'' area,,,,and not roll off a bottom leaf,,and miss the root ball.

 

[Chicken]

in this pic. on the far left row,{ ottoman hy } you can see where ive removed them, to expose the hole they are sitting in,and a weeded row, and a weed row i still got to get to,

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By chickenhawk434 at 2012-05-26