Mad Oshea
Taking a break
That is how to be sure footed! All I say is sunofa- Then squish!
deluxestogie Grow Log 2014
- Thread starter deluxestogie
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cotillion
Well-Known Member
Last year one of those got caught in my wife's hair and gave her a nasty bite on the scalp. I'd never seen one before then.
Yes. They will bite. Squish first; inspect later.
Bob
Bob
The PA Swarr-Hibshman pictures show a growth habit very much like the Swarr filler I grew last year. I agree it is a beautiful plant.
After a drizzly, gloomy day, the sun poked out at sunset yesterday.
This is the view from my house, toward the north-east.
Bob
This is the view from my house, toward the north-east.
Bob
With the crummy weather yesterday, I made one quick round of the tobacco plants, and found zero hornworms or hornworm eggs. I thought the first wave was over. Today, I nabbed about 2 dozen very tiny hornworms, some so young that they were still nearly colorless. When crushed, they don't even have green goo to gratify my effort--just moisture.
I topped my first plant (Vuelta Abajo) at about 16 leaves today.
Bob
I topped my first plant (Vuelta Abajo) at about 16 leaves today.
Bob
Brown Thumb
Well-Known Member
When you count the leaves, Do you include mud lugs and red tips?
Thanks,
BT
Thanks,
BT
I'd be lying if I said I had a method of counting the leaves. I usually ignore the two very bottom leaves, then roughly count up to where I snap the stem.
When I want the very tip leaves, I break away the bud head, as well as the two or three bud suckers that simultaneously form beneath it, then allow the tip to mature.
I don't care too much about the height, since that's often just a reflection of the distance between the nodes.
I really don't have a methodical approach. Tip leaf is often a wonderful condiment, but a major amount of additional work for a paltry 2 to 4 leaves. Sometimes I feel like saving them; sometimes I don't.
One additional point about topping that I do consider is the development stage of the entire plant in relation to others of the same variety. If a plant is way behind, topping it early will accelerate the maturity, although the yield will be lower.
Bob
When I want the very tip leaves, I break away the bud head, as well as the two or three bud suckers that simultaneously form beneath it, then allow the tip to mature.
I don't care too much about the height, since that's often just a reflection of the distance between the nodes.
I really don't have a methodical approach. Tip leaf is often a wonderful condiment, but a major amount of additional work for a paltry 2 to 4 leaves. Sometimes I feel like saving them; sometimes I don't.
One additional point about topping that I do consider is the development stage of the entire plant in relation to others of the same variety. If a plant is way behind, topping it early will accelerate the maturity, although the yield will be lower.
Bob
Brown Thumb
Well-Known Member
Thanks, Bob.
I did not know if there was a Industry correct way it was done.
I know if anyone Knew it would be you.
BT
I did not know if there was a Industry correct way it was done.
I know if anyone Knew it would be you.
BT
If you read the University Extension Service burley and flue-cured tobacco growers guides from KY and TN and NC, they do have specific definitions. And they differ.
The problem I'm having is that the more years I grow tobacco, the more intuitive it becomes. That means that I have more trouble describing exactly what I'm doing, and why. That also explains why my finished tobacco improves each year, even though I don't have a clear idea why.
Bob
The problem I'm having is that the more years I grow tobacco, the more intuitive it becomes. That means that I have more trouble describing exactly what I'm doing, and why. That also explains why my finished tobacco improves each year, even though I don't have a clear idea why.
Bob
Rickey60
Well-Known Member
Iike you I do not count the bottom 2 or 3 and only count those that are as big or bigger than my hand at the top.
Brown Thumb
Well-Known Member
So I see this as our growing habits change per say.
Removing 2 lower leaf at planting we lose 2 then the 2 above it turn into mud lugs, if not pretty we have now lost 4 leaves. So a plant that should have 22 leaves as per plant sizes. Now has 18 good leaves?
Removing 2 lower leaf at planting we lose 2 then the 2 above it turn into mud lugs, if not pretty we have now lost 4 leaves. So a plant that should have 22 leaves as per plant sizes. Now has 18 good leaves?
Some studies of removing various numbers of leaves has shown that, within limits, the plant ends up producing pretty much the same weight of cured leaf per plant. Fewer leaves = bigger leaves. I think that assuming that a particular variety is destined to produce a specific number of leaves ignores a lot of other factors that determine growth.
If you heavily clip the seedlings prior to transplant, then counting those crew-cut bottom leaves seems silly. Now, mud-lugs are not necessarily trash. I've gotten some fine, wrapper-grade leaves from the mud lugs. But most mud lugs are not a high grade leaf. It counts. It just ends up being filler, regardless of the variety.
For me, the bottom line is not a formula for when and how many. When asked, I confabulate a reasonable answer.
Bob
If you heavily clip the seedlings prior to transplant, then counting those crew-cut bottom leaves seems silly. Now, mud-lugs are not necessarily trash. I've gotten some fine, wrapper-grade leaves from the mud lugs. But most mud lugs are not a high grade leaf. It counts. It just ends up being filler, regardless of the variety.
For me, the bottom line is not a formula for when and how many. When asked, I confabulate a reasonable answer.
Bob
Brown Thumb
Well-Known Member
Thank You, Bob
You cleared up a lot of unclear growing habits in a few posts for me.
Sorry, I do not grasp or remember things that well.
I can't complain I got Short Big leaf plants, verses tall plants with smaller leaf.
Thank You,
BT
You cleared up a lot of unclear growing habits in a few posts for me.
Sorry, I do not grasp or remember things that well.
I can't complain I got Short Big leaf plants, verses tall plants with smaller leaf.
Thank You,
BT
BarG
Founding Member
BT, Take your best plants and make the most of them. I have found that works best. When I have plants that don't do well I don't worry. You can have 1 out that bunch that will . When you have a lot the bottom leaves are less important.
ArizonaDave
Well-Known Member
Really enjoying reading your grow blog, I learn something new every time!
BarG
Founding Member
Do you realy count. I never count.
To many varietys to keep up with. I use my judgement to keep up. Which means my records aint worth shit.
Brown Thumb
Well-Known Member
Just comparing other people's plant sizes to mine. Growing habits of different plants.
I have not even counted how many plants I have this year or how many went in 700 ~ 900? I don't keep notes either except for plant type and location. I do not worry about size. It is what it is.
Rickey60
Well-Known Member
Your so right, it is what it is.
But...but...but...what if it isn't what it is? What then?
Bob
Bob
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