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Over on Puff there were a couple threads about this. I live in western NY and have toyed with the idea of doing this. Anyone do this? How difficult is it? How rewarding is it? Any special tools needed? Where would one get seeds/starter plants? Basically looking for info as spring is coming.
Not to run you off to another forum, but...
fairtradetobacco dot com is a grower/roller forum with all the info on the subject you could possibly need, and it's reasonably well organized. I'm occasionally active on that forum, for the cigar rolling discussions.
I looked into this myself and concluded that it just wouldn't be worth it, when you can get high-quality already-processed leaves in the $12-$14/# range.
True, but very much worth it once all tobacco sales are banned via internet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruck
And no, I am not wearing my tin foil hat :p
Yes, a very good point. And a good excuse to start (or i should say continue) hoarding :)
I grew burly tobacco here one year and it did well...used the net for instruction and cut..dried..and rolled...shredded..that was a hellion of a lot of work...never did that again ....not sure of that name
I plant a small crop each year. Sometimes they make it, others they don't. If you can get lucky with the weather and people water for you in the hot days while you are on vacation, it is an easy crop to grow.
My Virginia and Perique seeds just sprouted a couple days ago.
I have bought seeds from Coffin Nails (dot) com a couple of times. You can find information there about curing too.
Chris, Wayne sent me some seeds and I believe it's way more than I need. If you wish , I'll see about sending some your way in the next couple of days. Just say the word.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris0673
Any recommendations as to where to purchase leaf?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruck
These are the 2 vendors I use...Quote:
Originally Posted by DLtoker
Wholeleaftobacco.com
Leafonly.com
I'm not entirely sure if it would grow well where I am. My yard is almost completely in the shade and the soil is pretty rocky. I've thought about getting some old tires and filling them with topsoil but I probably won't get that done this year. Do the seeds keep well?Quote:
Originally Posted by GWBowman
I've read 2-5 years with a 10% loss per year is stored properly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris0673
George is correct on seed life.
BTW George, you have enough to cover a huge plot of land.
My Virginia and Perique have sprouted. Looks like at least those two are still very healthy.
Leafonly and wholeleaftobacco have wide selections and reasonable prices; thetobaccobutcher dot com is an independent grower with great prices but limited selection. But the butcher's selection is probably all you'll need for making a wide range of pipe tobacco.Quote:
Originally Posted by DLtoker
Sprouts about a week old. The top left had more than the rest. I just gave it the first of several thinnings. Eventually I will have 1 or 2 healthy plants per cup.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...554174101f.jpg
Nice plantology, Wayne - you'll have to keep us updated photojournalistically :) I love this DIY subforum - it's inspiring to see all these creative types in action.
Tobacco is a slow starter when it comes to growing. It takes weeks before they being to really take off in size.
I have thinned the herd in all cups and if I'm lucky the leaves may have almost doubled in size in the last 10 days. (not a lot of growth but as expected) I'll try to get some update pics again this weekend.
I second the above mentioned site...for growing tobacco, a great forum for such!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruck
Update on tobacco plant growth. You can see 14 days later they have not had much action.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...76dc62ea03.jpg
I followed Wayne's lead with the solo cups. Five of the six tobaccos have sprouted. The Connecticut Shade did nothing and the Burley only has a few sprouts. I avoided the peat pellets, but at some point I thought to look at the bag of seeding mix and found out it is peat. Tonight I put just potting soil in a couple of cups and started more Connecticut Shade and Burley. Tried pics but for some reason me, digital cameras and flash can't get along. If I think of it I'll see what I can do in daylight.
Did you just sprinkle seed on top of the soil? I used to lightly cover them, until I realized that wasn't a good thing with tobacco seeds. Also, this year I covered the cups with plastic wrap until they sprouted. It kept the soil moist so I didn't have to water again for many days giving the tiny things time to take root.
When you say Burley, is that the Perique that only sprouted a few?
I sprinkled the seeds on top and spritzed with a spray bottle. Also used plastic wrap but didn't get a good seal, spritzed about every other day. The one I called Burley is the Monte Calme Yellow. Of the five that have sprouts, it is the weakest with only three or four. The Connecticut Broadleaf has the most action. The Perique looks pretty decent.
Few more weeks along. The plants really started growing a few days ago.... finally....I will thin the herd this week and have them in the ground next weekend. Glad I have been waiting as normal. We had high winds, snow and hail last week.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05...81080ee3ed.jpg
Okay,
Dumb question...How do you transfer from the solo cup to the ground or bigger planter?? Cut away the plastic would be my thought....I have always wanted to try to grow some tobacco and there were some great pics in the past of the flower on top...
The Troll
I just gently squeeze the cup a few times then turn it over and the plants will slide right out.
I generally grow the plants and let them flower to grow the seed pods. I have heard that cutting off the flower/pods then they start to form you will get better tobacco. I'll never know for sure :p
The flowers are pretty. Most tobacco farmers "top" the plants and my uncle would spray the cut with some kind of oil. Wayne yours look great. Of the seeds you sent me, I have some Connecticut Broadleaf, a little Virginia and the Perique still shows a little life. Nothing like yours. I also bought several packs of herb and vegetable seeds. Evidently both of my thumbs are black instead of green. When I've bought plants someone else started, I've done fair. Might research over the winter and give it another shot next year. Your plants look great. Please post some pics as things progress.
@OnePyroTec I know peat is no good. You just use run of the mill potting soil?
@GWBowman I don't think you planted until a few weeks after I did. Hold on, they will get a growth spurt. For soil, I used seed starting soil, got it moist, and sprinkled seeds on the top. I don't water again until the soil gets almost completely dry. Every year I plan on starting seeds in late Jan. but never remember until Feb. or March. That is why I don't have anymore Habano 2000 seeds. That is the slowest growing strain I have done, and the pods/flowers don't mature fast enough by the time the frost comes again in mid Oct.
Beautiful, good work!Quote:
Originally Posted by OnePyroTec