SnuffmeisterUK
Well-Known Member
@Old Gasman that is a great idea, I've got some bamboo sticks from last years tomatoes that I'll use when they get to that stage, I suspect they will!
UK first grow, not sure if seeds dying off: @SnuffmeisterUK
- Thread starter SnuffmeisterUK
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SnuffmeisterUK
Well-Known Member
What will happen if I DONT top my rustica at this stage? If you see my latest post I was tempted to not top my plants to keep my small patio from becoming a rainforest (plus the flowers will keep the misses happy)..
I know topping raises leaf size and nicotine but is it that drastic? A noticeable amount less nicotine?
Also if I top now will the flower come back in say a month or so after the plant has put attention back into leaves/nicotine?
I know topping raises leaf size and nicotine but is it that drastic? A noticeable amount less nicotine?
Also if I top now will the flower come back in say a month or so after the plant has put attention back into leaves/nicotine?
Old Gasman
Well-Known Member
I don't think it's recommended to top Rustica, at least I think I've read that it's not the done thing, can't remember why though. I'm sure someone else will soon tell you.
SnuffmeisterUK
Well-Known Member
@deluxestogie hope you don't mind me calling upon your wisdom,
Roughly how far into their life are the virginia plants in this photo? I'm trying to work out roughly when I can expect to start seeing signs of maturity/yellowing, or is there no such formula in the life cycle of tobacco? Also attached is how my rustica is looking.
Roughly how far into their life are the virginia plants in this photo? I'm trying to work out roughly when I can expect to start seeing signs of maturity/yellowing, or is there no such formula in the life cycle of tobacco? Also attached is how my rustica is looking.
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Old Gasman
Well-Known Member
They're both looking good but some way yet from harvest time, patience is a virtue which will reward you.
There are only rough approximations. I can't help much with N. rustica. The Virginia plants (? variety) show leaves that have started to become rugose (rumpled). I would wait for some indication of yellowing at the leaf tips, prior to priming. Since they are growing in a protected location, you could safely allow them to fully ripen (fully yellow) on the plant. Doing so in an open field risks damage from wind, rain, passing animals and people, etc.
Bob
Roughly - Days to Maturity is transplant to 50% of the plants showing at least one open flower in the field. Virginia Gold and Virginia Bright Leaf both have estimated days to maturity of 55 days. Cherry Red, which is also a Virginia flue cure variety, has a days to maturity of 75 days. These are rough and vary from year to year, condition, weather, etc. northwoodseeds.com website has some of the stated days to maturity estimates from GRIN, but not all of them. If you know your variety name, not just the market class, you could look it up on his website or GRIN global. Again, the estimates are pretty rough.
You may not see any yellowing for a couple weeks or more after topping. Weather, fertilizer, soil, luck of the draw, etc.
SnuffmeisterUK
Well-Known Member
@deluxestogie pictured is dark Virginia and my aztec rustica. Also have dark burley and little dutch.
I already love the little dutch, such a simply and Hardy little thing!
What confuses me a little is when cultivars are described as 'maturing in X days'
Is it from the moment they reach the ground one can expect these rough estimates to kick in?
Got all my seeds from the site below. https://www.tobaccoseed.co.uk/seeds/Dark Virginian.html
Ps. My alleyway is now pretty tight as the plants get bigger.. so I suspect I might become a hazard to the plants the more I have to squeeze past them!
I already love the little dutch, such a simply and Hardy little thing!
What confuses me a little is when cultivars are described as 'maturing in X days'
Is it from the moment they reach the ground one can expect these rough estimates to kick in?
Got all my seeds from the site below. https://www.tobaccoseed.co.uk/seeds/Dark Virginian.html
Ps. My alleyway is now pretty tight as the plants get bigger.. so I suspect I might become a hazard to the plants the more I have to squeeze past them!
"Maturity 60 days" vs. "maturity 90 days" is a meaningful difference. In my own hands, any particular variety's actual maturation may differ by as much as 20 days from one season to another. The question of days to maturity is similar to the question of the percentage of people in Trafalgar Square wearing a blue hat. It can never be more than a snapshot. I have found the same to be true of days to maturity for vegetable seed varieties. It's just a relative guide of very early vs very late. (...and sometimes, it's just marketeering.)
Bob
Bob
SnuffmeisterUK
Well-Known Member
Thank you! I don't mind patiently waiting, I'm just hoping I don't screw up the hard work I've done by missing the Harvest boat or hopping on the boat too early!
SnuffmeisterUK
Well-Known Member
Thanks Bob, I guess I must use my eyes and gut when harvest time comes.. rather than relying on any 'days until' as per mentioned on the website. Having said that I'm sure I'll spam this forum with 'IS THIS READY' posts!
Old Gasman
Well-Known Member
Try to think of it as baking a cake. The recipe book says bake for 45 minutes but the good cook knows that there are lots of variables at play and has a look every now and then and uses his/her eyes as to when it's cooked.
Alpine
Moderator
If in doubt, it’s better to wait a few more days than harvest too early. After watering too much, premature harvest is the main common mistake of first time growers.
pier
pier
SnuffmeisterUK
Well-Known Member
Sorry for my delayed reply, I went on holiday for 10 days, upon my return my plants have thrived! Rustica is in bloom 
SnuffmeisterUK
Well-Known Member
My virginia and burley have got yellow bottom leaves, I couldn't resist picking 5 or 6 of them. They have also got their flower buds, is this the stage I should top them @deluxestogie ? 
SnuffmeisterUK
Well-Known Member
I would wait until you see at least one open blossom. Between now and then, the entire stalk will lengthen and strengthen, providing more spacing between each leaf node. (If you have two identical plants—same variety—then you might top one now [early] and the other after first blossom [late]. Then your body and soul will learn which you prefer.) If you do not follow my preferred practice, which may or may not be best for your location, then you are more likely to acquire deep learning.
Bob
SnuffmeisterUK
Well-Known Member
Hmm, I'll definitely try that thank you! I want to collect seeds so will be keeping a close eye on their blooms
