I just received a 4-pack of cigars from an online retailer. I opened the box, took out the four cigars, which were wrapped in cellophane, and noticed that on two of the cigars there were probably hundreds of tiny little bumps.
My question is...are these tobacco beetle eggs/larva? I'm keeping all four cigars in isolation, out of my humidor, until I get some advice.
I'd say whether or not beetle eggs, if they look abnormal try first contacting the vendor (better with pictures of "good" and "bad" ones side by side) and ask for replacement.
They could be wood mites, harmless to cigars but annoying. If the bumps walk around, that's probably what they are. Do the bumps have a different colour to the cigar?
"If it was raining soup, the Irish would go out with forks." Brendan Behan
Posts: 1181 | Location: Dublin | Registered: November 29, 2006
It could be wrapper "blisters," which I had never heard of till the other day when I read the below story on the vitolas.net.
quote:
"it is evidence of high concentrations of magnesium and potash levels in the leaf, from fertilizers. It is very common to use magnesium and potash (among other chemicals) to enrich the soil for the betterment of the tobacco, however sometimes the plant leaf apparently stores a bit too much. Especially when you add too much of these chemicals to the soil.
One of the chemicals, Potash, is a "potassium compound commonly used as a fertilizer, helps the plant resist disease." But the real key in this display of bumps on the leaf is magnesium. Magnesium, is "vital in the formation of chlorophyll, the green "blood" of plants. Without sufficient magnesium, tobacco leaves lose their rich, deep emerald color. It also contributes to the generation of oils in tobacco, the oleoresins that contain the nicotine and flavor. A magnesium deficiency leads to dry, brittle, flavorless leaves; a magnesium-balanced plant displays that silky sheen we all recognize and admire. Magnesium is also important in the combustion of tobacco. A black ash indicates incomplete combustion of the carbon in the leaf, and is a sign of insufficient magnesium."
Originally posted by Cyrann: It could be wrapper "blisters," which I had never heard of till the other day when I read the below story on the vitolas.net.
quote:
"it is evidence of high concentrations of magnesium and potash levels in the leaf, from fertilizers. It is very common to use magnesium and potash (among other chemicals) to enrich the soil for the betterment of the tobacco, however sometimes the plant leaf apparently stores a bit too much. Especially when you add too much of these chemicals to the soil.
One of the chemicals, Potash, is a "potassium compound commonly used as a fertilizer, helps the plant resist disease." But the real key in this display of bumps on the leaf is magnesium. Magnesium, is "vital in the formation of chlorophyll, the green "blood" of plants. Without sufficient magnesium, tobacco leaves lose their rich, deep emerald color. It also contributes to the generation of oils in tobacco, the oleoresins that contain the nicotine and flavor. A magnesium deficiency leads to dry, brittle, flavorless leaves; a magnesium-balanced plant displays that silky sheen we all recognize and admire. Magnesium is also important in the combustion of tobacco. A black ash indicates incomplete combustion of the carbon in the leaf, and is a sign of insufficient magnesium."
Originally posted by Cyrann: It could be wrapper "blisters," which I had never heard of till the other day when I read the below story on the vitolas.net.
quote:
"it is evidence of high concentrations of magnesium and potash levels in the leaf, from fertilizers. It is very common to use magnesium and potash (among other chemicals) to enrich the soil for the betterment of the tobacco, however sometimes the plant leaf apparently stores a bit too much. Especially when you add too much of these chemicals to the soil.
One of the chemicals, Potash, is a "potassium compound commonly used as a fertilizer, helps the plant resist disease." But the real key in this display of bumps on the leaf is magnesium. Magnesium, is "vital in the formation of chlorophyll, the green "blood" of plants. Without sufficient magnesium, tobacco leaves lose their rich, deep emerald color. It also contributes to the generation of oils in tobacco, the oleoresins that contain the nicotine and flavor. A magnesium deficiency leads to dry, brittle, flavorless leaves; a magnesium-balanced plant displays that silky sheen we all recognize and admire. Magnesium is also important in the combustion of tobacco. A black ash indicates incomplete combustion of the carbon in the leaf, and is a sign of insufficient magnesium."
I smoked one this afternoon...those bumps didn't affect the smoke-ability/burn/flavor/enjoyment any and the ash was as white/gray as any I've ever seen...I guess the "magnesium overload" contributed to that.
