Pigmentation during air curing

[SnuffmeisterUK]

Hey folks, this is my fourth year growing, I’m sure I’ve had this happen before with a few leaves but didn’t think much of it then, or it resolved and I forgot about it! I’m quite possibly overthinking this..

Are these spots just caused by chlorophyll breaking down? I use the towel method until the leaves are at least 80% yellow then hang to dry, exactly like I have done the last 3 years. This pattern is on many of my leaves this year.

This isn’t a “is this mould” post, I’m 1000% sure it isn’t mold.

The uk has had a crazy heatwave the last month or so and humidity is low so I’ve been battling it with towels im spraying with water and hanging in the same room with the leaves - I’ve managed to keep it between 52-65% humidity. I also was religious about swapping/rearranging the leaves when in the towels.

 

[GreenDragon]

Very normal for me in the South US.

 

[The Haroo ln]

Quite normal for some leaves to cure like that, not sure what causes it but it deffo doesnt look like mould

 

[Wombat_smokes]

I'd vote for normal irregularities in the leaf. These are what I think become "blemishes" that cigar makers will wrap their factory seconds/rejects in. As you mentioned, they sometimes balance out as the leaves continue to color or become darker spots in the finished leaves. Definitely not something to worry over.

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

Thanks all - I’m reassured it’s normal, although I didn’t have it to this extent in the last 3 years, it’s probably the insane drought the uk is in at the moment, much lower humidity this year

I’m going away for a week tomorrow which was adding to my anxiety, these leaves will be in fate/gods hand whilst I’m away, when I’m back I need to prime the top of my plants, I’m just hoping for some usable wrapper leaves but that may not be possible this year sadly

 

[deluxestogie]

I see a usable wrapper leaf in your photo.

Bob

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

@

I see a usable wrapper leaf in your photo.

Bob

@deluxestogie i smoked a life changingly nice Davidoff the other night that might have set my desire for perfect wrapper leaves too high haha

 

[deluxestogie]

Zino Davidoff knew that mystique sells better than ordinary.

Bob

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

@deluxestogie what are your thoughts on gently misting leaves when hung up curing? I’ve read mixed opinions on it, if I did it would be a misting from afar to avoid droplets damaging the leaf

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

Zino Davidoff knew that mystique sells better than ordinary.

Bob

I ignored Davidoff for years due to my wallet and having Cubans in the uk.. I had my first grand cru the other day and it blew my mind. I’d love to somehow grow cigars with a similar profile - I know this would take a lifetime of trying

 

[deluxestogie]

gently misting leaves when hung up curing?

During color-curing, the relative humidity (either steady in a 60-75% state, or naturally cycling above and below that range) is all that I have relied on. I think that if you need to mist the leaf, then there is a need to modify the curing conditions.

Bob

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

During color-curing, the relative humidity (either steady in a 60-75% state, or naturally cycling above and below that range) is all that I have relied on. I think that if you need to mist the leaf, then there is a need to modify the curing conditions.

Bob

Thanks bob , I’ve not sprayed the leaves yet as I have been trying to raise the rooms humidity but it has been tempting.. I’ll hold off

 

[The Haroo ln]

Try to stay away from adding water physically or splashing onto leaves when curing, this will leave water marks when they have cured and can also invite rot/mould. As Bob said if you need to spray the leaves then you need to alter your curing conditions. Try make a small mini room for curing, its much easier to control the climate in a smaller environment.

Its better to use a humidifer/mister to allow the air to rehumidify the leaves. quick fix would be to try and wick a wet towel or 3 depending on how big your curing space is.

PS. I see your in London, i'm in Warrington between Manchester and Liverpool and your right about the RH being very low this year. The temps have also been crazy this year. We've got around 24-26°c during the day and down to 11-12°c at night.... in the middle of summer!

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

Try to stay away from adding water physically or splashing onto leaves when curing, this will leave water marks when they have cured and can also invite rot/mould. As Bob said if you need to spray the leaves then you need to alter your curing conditions. Try make a small mini room for curing, its much easier to control the climate in a smaller environment.

Its better to use a humidifer/mister to allow the air to rehumidify the leaves. quick fix would be to try and wick a wet towel or 3 depending on how big your curing space is.

PS. I see your in London, i'm in Warrington between Manchester and Liverpool and your right about the RH being very low this year. The temps have also been crazy this year. We've got around 24-26°c during the day and down to 11-12°c at night.... in the middle of summer!

@The Haroo ln

Thanks for your thoughts, I’ve got a towel in a bucket that’s suspended on a mic stand in the room haha, seems to be helping. Also have some tea towels hung up, I won’t do any spraying as I agree it could cause watermarks on the leaves

I know Warrington fairly well don’t go that way anymore but remember liking fiddlers ferry! There is a nice pub there = wish you luck battling this crazy uk weather

 

[The Haroo ln]

Another method you could use is to stalk harvest and stalk cure. It helps keep the RH up for longer when curing

 

[WillQuantrill]

@deluxestogie what are your thoughts on gently misting leaves when hung up curing? I’ve read mixed opinions on it, if I did it would be a misting from afar to avoid droplets damaging the leaf

If I may share some experience, a few years ago (my second season maybe?) I stressed out about some leaves I was certain were gonna "flash cure" green while hanging. I "lightly" misted that variety with distilled water and the next day mold had arrived. I tossed this leaf but my deduction from this scenario left me believing that during the color cure phase tobacco is much more sensitive to "raw" moisture. I would caution against it and as Bob pointed out, if Im seeing an undesirable characteristic appearing in the curing shed I make an environmental adjustment. Over the time I've been growing my shed now has an Oscillating fan, 2 "fresh air" vents in the walls and a 25 gal tub of water "wickifier".