Growley Monster
Proud Creator of the Imperfecto
For anyone who has ACTUALLY SEEN THIS DONE, how exactly were the leaves tied? Four times now, I have had stems shrink enough to slip out of their ties, and fall to the floor. If I tie too tightly, the twine severs the stem. I started out just taking four turns around the stems, then tying a slipped square knot. That didn't work, and gave me the above results. Now I am only tying in bundles of four leaves, with just a clove hitch around the stems, because I figure with less twine used in just wrapping around the stems, shrinkage will create less slack. Also I can easily grab the short end and pull, and tighten up the clove hitch, or else just throw another half hitch around the stem with the standing part. Boy scout types, please, I am a retired seaman so don't just suggest this knot or that knot if you don't know how the pros do it. Knots I know. I need to know how it is done on actual cigar leaf tobacco farms. I am starting to get tired of finding soggy piles of leaves on the floor. I get grouchy and grumpy when that happens.
Also, is it okay to wash off the bits of dirt and mulch with a garden hose nozzle? So far, I am still picking pretty low on the stalks, and the fuzzy leaves cause a lot of debris to stick to them. I have been spraying the leaves off before bundling, and soon I will be picking high enough where the leaves are nice and clean, but I was just wondering. I need to nail down these details this year while I only have 100 plants to mess with because next spring this stuff is gonna get real.
Also, is it okay to wash off the bits of dirt and mulch with a garden hose nozzle? So far, I am still picking pretty low on the stalks, and the fuzzy leaves cause a lot of debris to stick to them. I have been spraying the leaves off before bundling, and soon I will be picking high enough where the leaves are nice and clean, but I was just wondering. I need to nail down these details this year while I only have 100 plants to mess with because next spring this stuff is gonna get real.