Would you smoke this? ("recovery" after frenching)

[Skafidr]

I haven't posted much during this season due to lack of time, but I grew some tobacco, and so far, it's doing well (no hail to shred my leaves... yet).

I need opinions on something, however.

Some of my seedlings displayed signs of "frenching" during the early stages, when they were still in their 2" pots. I recalled reading on INRAE's site that

In affected nurseries, the slightly diseased plants could be used. Their transplantation to another soil does not seem disturbed and their future development neither.

So I figured I would still try and transplant them.

They went through a funny, bushy, "frenching" episode then seemed to "recover" and grow relatively normally. It seems I missed the fact that they grew 2-3 stems instead of only one like the others (i.e. early suckering, or something like this).

Now I'm curious: the plant seems to be doing well otherwise, so is the tobacco safe to smoke?

The variety is L'Assomption 201. Some other plants displayed signs of frenching in the seedling stage but they didn't show signs after transplanting. I have three plants that went funny (three L'Assomption), while the others were okay (two L'Assomption, five Scent of Italy ("Parfum d'Italie"), and seven Glessnor).

L'Assomption 201 seedlings are on the right:



Different grow stages; the ones that exhibit the issue are "centre and bottom" for the first picture, and "centre and top" for the other three pictures (different camera angle):



What I have today: multiple stems, but decently shaped leaves:



As usual, thanks a lot for any input given, it's always appreciated!

 

[deluxestogie]

the plant seems to be doing well otherwise, so is the tobacco safe to smoke?

Given that Frenching is a nutritional issue, I would have no hesitation in ultimately smoking the leaf.

Bob

 

[MadFarmer]

I had a crop of Piloto Cubano French something fierce in 2023. I smoked a puro of it a month ago and it tasted just fine. You just wouldn't want to wrap with them.

 

[The Haroo ln]

I've not heard of anyone using piloto as a wrapper. Its mostly a filler due to its strength level. I've grown some piloto this year and I intend to try use the cleanest and best leaves as a wrapper and see how it goes

 

[deluxestogie]

I've not heard of anyone using piloto as a wrapper.

From 2018.

From 2021.

From 2021.

Bob

 

[The Haroo ln]

How was the smoke? Especially that first picture with all the upper leaf! Im really looking forward to trying mine when its ready

 

[deluxestogie]

How was the smoke?

Pics of your sticks!!

That's a fancy ring gauge you have there Marc. And them cigars look great as always. That may be my finest ePray find.

fairtradetobacco.com

Bob