Immature Nicotiana tabacum leaf tends to be uniformly green, thin and flat. As it matures, the color slowly becomes mottled, and the very tip of the leaf begins to show a bit of yellow. Progressing from "mature" to ripe, the yellowing spreads, mottling increases, and the leaf texture becomes more rugose (bumpy) and brittle. A fully ripe leaf is entirely yellow. The main benefit of priming leaf at the earliest sign of maturation is for cigar wrapper and binder, in order to avoid leaf damage in the field.
Most varieties can be stalk-harvested, and stalk-hung for air curing. Orientals can usually be stalk-harvested and stalk-hung for sun-curing. Flue-curing requires priming leaf of similar maturity for each separate batch or for sun-curing.
Bob
Most varieties can be stalk-harvested, and stalk-hung for air curing. Orientals can usually be stalk-harvested and stalk-hung for sun-curing. Flue-curing requires priming leaf of similar maturity for each separate batch or for sun-curing.
Bob
