Who's clipping seedling leaves and when?

[Old#12]

I'm into my second year of growing cigar tobacco. I haven't started a blog. Maybe next year. I'm growing Vuelta Abajo, Penn Red, and Little Dutch. I didn't trim my seedling leaves last year and think it affected my root production. I read or heard that it helps but I'm not sure when it should be done. Any insight is appreciated. #12

 

[Jitterbugdude]

You can clip anytime your plants get too crowded in their tray. Just take some scissors and snip about half of each big leaf. Do not cut the main stem while doing this. If in doubt just trim a few plants and wait a few days. You'll notice no detrimental affects so it'll give you confidence to go and trim all your plants.

 

[grgfinney]

It is an acceptable practice most of us gave the seedling "haircuts"last year with no ill affects they will grow back in a week thicker than they were before

 

[Brown Thumb]

Makes them Stronger too, I find it relaxing and maybe the most enjoyable part of growing tobacco.

 

[ArizonaDave]

It is an acceptable practice most of us gave the seedling "haircuts"last year with no ill affects they will grow back in a week thicker than they were before

Makes them Stronger too, I find it relaxing and maybe the most enjoyable part of growing tobacco.

I totally agree! It feels like mine just hit another big growth spurt after doing this last week!

 

[deluxestogie]

What I find interesting is that you can do either a timid clipping or a crew cut (removing nearly all of each leaf). The more severe cut does not substantially slow growth, and seems to result in sturdier stalks. Whatever you clip will just end up as bottom trash leaf anyway, so it has no negative impact on your crop.

Bob

 

[Knucklehead]

I clip. In addition to the above stated reasons, it also opens up light for the shorter, smaller seedlings that are being shaded by the larger ones. The smaller leaves that don't get clipped the first time seem to double in size in just a few days, requiring another trim. It's also easier, cheaper, and less labor intensive than transplanting to larger cups. A couple of weeks in the field and there will be little to no difference between the clipped plants remaining in the cells, and larger seedlings that were transplanted to larger cups. Bob did an experiment proving this in his 2013 (I think) Grow Blog.

 

[CT Tobaccoman]

Clipping seedlings is a new thing to me since joining this forum. When I worked in Connecticut we never did that and they still don't. I get the impression that this practice began when seedlings started to be grown in float trays--something else totally unheard of in Conn Valley. But I must say that the seedlings I bought last year were much larger than seedlings are when we transplant them in Conn. Probably they spend a longer time growing in float trays than we grew them in seed beds or greenhouses. Seed sowed first week of March is transplanted mid-May.

Maybe I'll try clipping this time, as I am growing mostly "southern" types. It makes sense to me

CT

 

[CT Tobaccoman]

I totally agree! It feels like mine just hit another big growth spurt after doing this last week!

Started already, Dave! I just got my seeds sown today. Here, it won't be warm enough to transplant until mid-May.

 

[Old#12]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I've got most of my plants singled up in the cells now. I'm hoping the trimming will strengthen the stalks and roots by transplant time. #12

 

[Knucklehead]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I've got most of my plants singled up in the cells now. I'm hoping the trimming will strengthen the stalks and roots by transplant time. #12

Air movement also helps to strengthen stalks. I have my ceiling fan blowing on them, gently moving them around. A small oscillating fan will also work. The wind will help also when you start moving the plants outside a little bit each day to get used to full sunlight (Hardening off). This is usually done the last couple of weeks before transplanting into the patch. I normally start moving mine outside when night time temps are consistently above 40F (per BigBonner's advice) but this year I planted some seed a couple weeks after the initial seeding so I'm letting those late ones catch up a little bit.

 

[Ben Brand]

I was told to start clipping as soon as you can, even if the plants are very small, give the small ones some air and space to catch up, in the end you will have more uniform and stronger seedlings. As long as you don't clip the main stem it is fine to give them a hair ( leaf) cut as often as you like. After clipping I always give a Copper fungicide drenching.