From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Mission Viejo, CA

My 1634 Rea plant is growing well, with very large leaves. I am wondering if I should cull the first leaf on each secondary. They are getting squeezed out, not getting much if any sunlight, and will make it harder to spray foliar applications.

thanks!

6/12/2023 12:07:04 PM

Grittyville, WA

I dont know much, but some top guys like Dale M have plants that look rather dense!

6/12/2023 2:14:04 PM

Grittyville, WA

My main concern with culling leaves is whether the remaining leaves will support themselves or topple over...
Oops, its not two-comment Tuesday yet.

6/12/2023 2:17:53 PM

New Castle, Indiana

Well if it were me...and I've not had that much experience if I'm being honest....I would not take out the leaf. It's just one more wound in the vine to deal with.

6/12/2023 10:33:54 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Having tight areas like we do, I trim secondary leaves all the time when they get crowded. They end up rubbing on the other leaf and waring them out anyways, plus we need good airflow in these smaller areas.

So I don't cut the first leaf but I cut leaves as needed as the plant grows and I can tell its getting tight in a certain area.

6/12/2023 11:38:47 PM

San Diego

Kevin, I just took off 4 leaves yesterday that are just like yours, under leaves. Whack em off!

6/13/2023 9:22:49 PM

Sonoma County, CA

Kevin, I am growing that same seed. Just as a point of reference I haven’t noticed any of what you described for what it’s worth. You can see it in this video if you’re curious.
https://youtu.be/Jg5ICUfee7c

6/13/2023 10:36:00 PM

Syracuse, NY

Oops - Guess I realized too late that this is where I was looking at the YT video from;
Dawson - Sorry if I prodded or asked anything outta line and will remove it if you want, no sweat---eric g

6/14/2023 4:35:10 AM

San Diego, Ca.

Kevin, I cut a bunch of crowded leaves off yesterday. Your doing your plant a favor by eliminating PM breeding areas. Your plant may compensate by making even larger leaves.

6/14/2023 12:09:13 PM

Kutztown, PA

I guess if you think of the leaf canopy like it's a solar panel then the more (healthy) leaf surface area you have the more electricity flows to the house. Damaged leaves aren't contributing much juice and maybe even using it up. I've been removing leaves that are wind damaged once they start looking ruff. I'm spreading my secondary vines out so they're further apart this year but not so much they can't support each other in the wind. In a nutshell, I keep anything good and cut anything bad.

6/16/2023 10:47:07 AM

Torrance, Ca.

I think all the so cal guys are going to have bigger leaves this year because of the cloudy weather. Off topic but something to think about.

6/16/2023 11:07:20 AM