Manfisher’s Grow Blog 2024

[Skafidr]

I believe they're rotting. [...] However, I don't know if this affects the whole leaf or just the area. The rest of the leaf looks perfect for curing but I was just wondering if I carve out the rotting bits if the rest is good for curing.

Okay, that's a good question and I don't have an answer for this. AFAIK, "mould-created" rot can affect the rest of a fruit/cheese brick even when there are no visible signs of it, but what causes the rot in tobacco leaves when they are curing in the towel?

Personally, I'd be tempted to remove the rot spots and keep the leaves but keep an eye on this batch. But at the same time, I did find some mould on one of my leaves and I just tossed it because I did not want to spend time/energy on that.

I would also wonder how I'd deal with the gooey/slimy stuff that went into the other leaves.

 

[manfisher]

Okay, that's a good question and I don't have an answer for this. AFAIK, "mould-created" rot can affect the rest of a fruit/cheese brick even when there are no visible signs of it, but what causes the rot in tobacco leaves when they are curing in the towel?

Personally, I'd be tempted to remove the rot spots and keep the leaves but keep an eye on this batch. But at the same time, I did find some mould on one of my leaves and I just tossed it because I did not want to spend time/energy on that.

I would also wonder how I'd deal with the gooey/slimy stuff that went into the other leaves.

My thought exactly. I would probably isolate that batch from the rest. When I took off the towel this morning, one of the leaves on the top of the pile had a rot spot and as I peeled back each leaf, that rot spot continued down in the same size and location on the leaf through the next four leaves on the pile, like the rot was traveling straight down through the pile.

 

[manfisher]

Work was slow today so I had some time to plan my kiln for my tobacco. I am going to follow the plan provided by @deluxestogie for the Cozy Can and throw a crockpot in there for the heat/humidity source plus a few other changes. One thing I was to check before I pull the trigger is air source. Is an air source needed for this like a fan or can you simply heat it up in there and let it go?

 

[deluxestogie]

1. As I often point out, the cozy can was a demonstration of minimal kiln requirements. But it worked.
2. For venting, I would simply keep the lid slightly ajar.

Bob

 

[manfisher]

1. As I often point out, the cozy can was a demonstration of minimal kiln requirements. But it worked.
2. For venting, I would simply keep the lid slightly ajar.

Bob

Thanks Bob. On top of that, if I were to, let’s say, get a used fridge and use the crockpot method, I’m assuming all I would need is an inkbird temp controller to manage the heat. Drill a hole in the side, drop in the thermometer, and plug the crockpot into the outlet in the temp controller and it should be good. Only thing I would need to worry about would be the humidity.

 

[manfisher]

Sorry FINAL question but if I hang my leaves in my kiln do I need to shuffle them like I would if they were stacked or can I just leave them in there and forget about them while monitoring the temp and humidity.

 

[deluxestogie]

I have not used a refrigerator or freezer as a kiln. Perhaps other members could help with that.

When I hang leaves within my kiln, I keep the temp always between 123°F to 128°F, and ignore the humidity. I just refill the water in the Crockpot when it runs out.

Bob

EDIT: The bathroom ceiling ventilation fan installed within the kiln circulates the air, and helps maintain uniformity in the temp and humidity.

 

[manfisher]

Alright I’m sorry for my incessant fermentation questions but is it in any way frowned upon to bring cured leaves into a low case, shred and then shred the fermented tobacco in jars? I will be fermenting in my apartment so I’m trying to find safe and space efficient methods to do this

 

[Skafidr]

into a low case, shred and then shred the fermented tobacco in jars?

Do you mean "[...] into a low case, shred and then ferment the shredded tobacco in jars?"

(I have some of my leaves that were shredded by hail so I'll have to "age" them shredded in a way or in another, so I'm interested in the topic.)

 

[deluxestogie]

I'm not aware of any difference in the kilning results, whether whole leaf or already shredded.

Bob

 

[manfisher]

Leaves are curing beautifully. They spent their first two weeks on my patio in mixed sun, cool weather and nearly constant breeze. They’re cured very thin and oily; absolute perfection. I have since brought them into the spare bedroom and let them cure at roughy 55-60% humidity and 72F average for the last week and they are hardening up. I might save a few of my wrapper grade leaves to attempt to roll cigars next year but I think they’re mostly going to go towards snus. I’m not sure how it will turn out since they’re cigar leaves but dammit we’ll try! A few leaves are curing strangely though, similar to the moldy leaves I posted earlier that are curing at my parents. The very last picture here, you’ll see it’s curing very dark but the texture is extremely leathery/rubbery, it’s stretchy almost. I’m wondering if the leaf is water logged and just needs to dry out?

 

[deluxestogie]

The very last picture here, you’ll see it’s curing very dark but the texture is extremely leathery/rubbery, it’s stretchy almost.

Stretchy is the result of case. If you have separated the stalk's lower leaves from the upper, you should notice that the higher up the stalk you go, the leaves become thicker, and color-cure to a darker color.

Bob

 

[manfisher]

Stretchy is the result of case. If you have separated the stalk's lower leaves from the upper, you should notice that the higher up the stalk you go, the leaves become thicker, and color-cure to a darker color.

Bob

Thanks Bob. They are smaller leaves and a newer pick which makes sense. I’ll just give it some time for them to cure more.

 

[WillQuantrill]

Sorry FINAL question but if I hang my leaves in my kiln do I need to shuffle them like I would if they were stacked or can I just leave them in there and forget about them while monitoring the temp and humidity.

I hang my leaves in "hands" of 6-8 in the kiln. As there are 2 fans inside running 24-7 I don't feel like rearranging or shuffling position inside would make any noticeable difference. As long as you have steady airflow throughout it should be fine to hang em and leave them alone for the duration.