How are leaves flattened before ageing and storage?

[deluxestogie]

If you are simply flattening the leaves for storage, then no pressure, other than your fingertips, should be required. If you are pressing a stack of leaf into solid block, then then 10 to 30 psi (pounds per square inch) is appropriate.

Bob

 

[UmbriaFarmer]

If you are simply flattening the leaves for storage, then no pressure, other than your fingertips, should be required. If you are pressing a stack of leaf into solid block, then then 10 to 30 psi (pounds per square inch) is appropriate.

Bob

No, deffo not trying to make flake, just wanted to age it like those pressed stacks you get when you buy froglegged filler from WLT etc, so will just use light pressure. Thank you again!

 

[deluxestogie]

When I visited the WLT warehouse in Akron, Ohio, some years ago, what I observed was that clumps of leaf were pried from a purchased bale, sprayed with water, then allowed to soften a bit. It was then separated and flattened by hand. This was allowed to dry-down, then weighed and slipped into their bags. Nothing magical.

Bob

EDIT: Another point is that frog-legged leaf was frog-legged prior to the seller packing it into bales, since the import taxes are based on weight. The frog-legging served to reduce the tax per leaf.

 

[UmbriaFarmer]

When I visited the WLT warehouse in Akron, Ohio, some years ago, what I observed was that clumps of leaf were pried from a purchased bale, sprayed with water, then allowed to soften a bit. It was then separated and flattened by hand. This was allowed to dry-down, then weighed and slipped into their bags. Nothing magical.

Bob

EDIT: Another point is that frog-legged leaf was frog-legged prior to the seller packing it into bales, since the import taxes are based on weight. The frog-legging served to reduce the tax per leaf.

Yes, and I've had them when they hadn't been separated but we're still a chunk with the individual leaves still stuck together. This is what I intend to reproduce with my old pillowcase mini bales.

 

[UmbriaFarmer]

BTW, tomorrow is 6 weeks day for the first priming. Looking forward to that. That plus my Italian old age pension starts!

 

[Hayden]

I did take a baking tray and put a 5kg weight on it while the leaf was in medium casw. It gets the job done and the leaf is flat. I reorganized every plastic bag this way.

 

[deluxestogie]

Best birthday wishes, @UmbriaFarmer.

Bob

 

[UmbriaFarmer]

Best birthday wishes, @UmbriaFarmer.

Bob

Thank you! Born 1959. How old are you Bob?

 

[deluxestogie]

I am 78 and counting.

Bob

 

[UmbriaFarmer]

I am 78 and counting.

Bob

Good on ya mate!