The work begins in the hot months of June and July and lasts for nine months without interruption.
After 45 days, the seed is suitable for planting in tobacco plantations after being sown in seedbeds.
The time between sowing and harvesting is 17 weeks for "tabaco tapado" for the wrapper and 16 weeks for sun-grown tobacco for the filler and binder. It is estimated that each tobacco producer checks each plant 150 times during the growing season.
HARVEST
Harvesting is time-consuming, as each leaf has to be picked by hand.
Only two or three leaves are removed at a time, and a few days must pass between each removal, so that the harvest time for a single plant is 30 days.
DRYING
The collected leaves are transported to the growers' tobacco huts and air-dried. This is a lengthy and careful drying process that gradually removes the moisture from the leaf and gives it a golden colour.
The leaves are strung together and hung side by side on poles.
As soon as the leaves begin to dry, the sticks are taken to the top floor of the tobacco buildings.
Leave a reply