Pinar del Río People Immersed in Tobacco Campaign

[El Presidente]

They may need another Spanish - English Translator at the TelePinar Newspaper

Pinar del Río People Immersed in Tobacco Campaign

TelePinar Thursday, October 29, 2009

In the planting of over a thousand cab are immersed tobacco growers in Pinar del Rio, the largest producer of the leaf in the country, in order to achieve an early season and high yields. The purpose is to cultivate the plant in all regional enterprises, Viñales, La Palma and Los Palacios, and they will assume staggered plantings for a better cultural attention to the solanaceous and use of the workforce.

This time Criollo 98 , Habana 92 and Corojo varieties will prevail, due to the results reported in previous contests, when showing resistance to diseases like blue mold and the so-called pata prieta( brown paw), among other qualities.

The care of soil, as in previous stages, was a priority for the best tobacco producers all over the world and specifically in the areas used for covered crops, rotation plantations and natural fertilizers benefit the land.

Besides , seedbeds are being irrigated so that the seedlings needed for the current crop , which demands more efficiency from Pinar del Río people, careful cultural attentions and experience to achieve high yields and top quality.

This region of western Cuba brings to the country about half of the layers that cover the cigars and all the capes.

[ChanceSchmerr]

Huh?

What's a cigar "Cape"?

[shrink]

What's a cigar "Cape"?

I assume that they are referring to the "capa", or wrapper.

[El Presidente]

I assume that they are referring to the "capa", or wrapper.

Spot on Shrink. The most interesting part of the article was the Tobacco strains being planted.

[riderpride]

Pres, forgive my ignorance, but what are they not planting?

[cbob]

Pres, forgive my ignorance, but what are they not planting?

Habana 2000

[Jesuscookies]

Spot on Shrink. The most interesting part of the article was the Tobacco strains being planted.

How does this compare to the recent 2007-2008 varities? Any idea?

[El Presidente]

Pres, forgive my ignorance, but what are they not planting?

Apparently Habana 2000 and Sancti-Spiritus 96.

JC I can't recall what was grown last year but Jose may pipe in with an e-mail if he can't post direct to the forum.

[samb]

That article is a little bit confusing, so Ima x2 on them needing another/better translator, lol.

[Stalebread]

. . .

This time Criollo 98 , Habana 92 and Corojo varieties

Just thinking aloud -- this is something I'd like to learn alot more about.

-- The qualities of each variety.

-- What varieties go into what brands (this might not be public information)

[aavkk]

I was under the impression that the original "corojo" is the stuff used to make "old school" cigars or the kind of cigars that were made in the "good ole' days". Is this true? I'm very interested in hearing more about this. Also, why the 3 different varieties, are each used for filler, binder and wrapper or are they specifically used for one?

[El Presidente]

Just thinking aloud -- this is something I'd like to learn alot more about.

-- The qualities of each variety.

-- What varieties go into what brands (this might not be public information)

I am no expert.

Differing varieties are grown as an insurance policy against "mold" and "black foot" the two curses of the tobacco plantation. The varieties are formulated by the Central Tobacco Institute (a research centre although the exact name escapes me). Each of these varieties are "crosses" of tobacco strains which are dsigned to:

Increase yield

Provide disease resistance

Good aroma, flavour, oils, visual amenity, combustability, nicotine.

There are three major varieties grown in any one year with another two varieties in lesser quantities. There are also experimental crops grown in certain fincas.

The plan is that the lifecycle of each variety is 7 years before it is replaced. Replacement and introduction of new varieties is essential to stave off the continuoulsy evolving "blue mold" and "black foot" diseases.

Habana 92 and Habana 2000 are Corojo crosses from memory.

I am sure others will have more information. Much of the information in relation to blends is guarded.

[Colt45]

For those who may have missed it, here's a link to a great post by Laficion:

Link