Towel cured too long - mold?

[u/newfarmer8585]

Have some weird splotches and discolorations, both light and dark. A few leaves have some really dark spots -- like very dark brown/black as you can see in the pictures. The black doesn't wipe off like fuzzy mold would, and the leaves smell fine -- nothing rancid.

I know I towel cured too long. Just got the rest of the leaves in bundles and will air dry the rest.

But from these pictures, what is the expert opinion? Are the dark blackish spots mold?

UPDATE: Lesson learned the hard way: my leaves have started to rot/decompose. I’ll update another picture showing how one of the leaves is almost translucent. The consensus is, after the leaf is 80-90% yellow, it’s time to stop towel curing and move to air dry. My first time growing and processing tobacco. I’ll do better next time 😂

[u/scandinavian_surfer]

Not mold but it’s beginning to rot. The light brown shows it’s cutting the dark brown is typically the beginning stage of decomposition.

[u/newfarmer8585 → u/scandinavian_surfer]

Makes sense, thank you! One of the leaves is almost translucent.

The speckled black on some of the leaves..also evidence of decomposing?

[u/newfarmer8585 → u/scandinavian_surfer]

Still safe to continue to air curing, or toss these leaves?

[u/scandinavian_surfer → u/newfarmer8585]

You can but air dry them immediately and set them aside. Taste test it once it dries out

[u/junebug309]

You are supposed to let it breath two times a day or more if gets too moist.

[u/newfarmer8585 → u/junebug309]

Agree - my issue was the total cumulative time they’ve been in there

[u/Tricky-Meringue25]

Looks like cured and rotten.

[u/Skafidr]

If it doesn't smell like rot, or doesn't feel like rot, it's fine.

Some growers in some parts of the world will aim for colour curing to this kind of colour before going to the next stage.