Taking my first shot at growing tobacco.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by Cyanide

I think you are showing us only "half the picture" (oh, you have changed the pictures).

For purposes of cigar leaf, I understand that this is very labour intensive and difficult to get right. However, the plant itself is really easy to get to grow. But, when you want specific qualities to present themselves, then you have to deprive the plant in very specific ways in order to get your preferred results. Otherwise, it is like any other plant you may want to grow and smoke, with equally disgusting results (note, I am not talking about Spiderman's girl friend here....she is always easy to grow and always gives you the result you are looking for).

That's why Cuba is "it", and many other climes are close to "it". Its the right combination of hospitable air and moisture, with the right combination of inhospitable soil and sun. So, you may want to try to up the light, and make the soil more sandy. But, I am not a horticultural/botanic type, so I can't be certain.

Cheers

Cy

Dood, chill.
I just want to see the pretty flowers.

I still haven't made any plans about what I'll do with the plants once they've grown. It's completely secondary.
I have at least six months before I even have to run that thought through my head. Right now I just hope I can grow them and watch the flowers bloom through my kitchen window and watch the hummingbirds drill them.

So, what you are saying then is that you are going to need me to start photoshoping you a special "Shilala Edition Limitada" cigar bands? Oh good, I didn't know how I was going to accomplish the proper embossing to ensure people could tell between the real thing and counterfeits.

You had me worried there

Cy

[shilala]

Originally Posted by Cyanide

So, what you are saying then is that you are going to need me to start photoshoping you a special "Shilala Edition Limitada" cigar bands? Oh good, I didn't know how I was going to accomplish the proper embossing to ensure people could tell between the real thing and counterfeits.

You had me worried there

Cy

No. Dood. FLOWERS.
We're just gonna look at the pretty flowers.
I might take pictures of the bees, too. I think the flowers are pretty gooey and nectarlicious, so there should be lots of critters.
There's a great big black ant filled pine tree nearby that should supply sufficient pollination, so there should be lots of hardcore critter action.
If the plants live, I might even pick some of the tobaccy.
I'd like to find out how they make chewing tobacco so I can chaw on it. That'd be the coolest. That's why I was gonna grow it years ago. To make snuff.

OK the, I guess I am back to building the Special Anniversary Vitola Select Bands for Juan IceHog's new line of Nic/Hond Corojo/Maduro/Oscuro, Ligero/Volando cigars.

[Scottw]

Keep us posted on this Scott, can't wait to see how it turns out.

Scott, great to see this thread. You are off to some healthy plants. Like you said, no need to worry about constructing the tobacco barn and hiring field hands. You are doing it and as a master of improvisation your journey will unfold and reveal the next step.

This is what I am talking about



Congratulations

[HK3-]

That's great Shilala! It will be cool to see how they turn out! If you need a guinea pig.... I'll smoke anything!

[elderboy02]

I can't wait to see how the plants turn out!

[HK3-]

Miracle grow makes bud booster which will make your flowers bigger.

[RGD.]

Originally Posted by Footbag

You are not starting them too early are you? I made that mistake last year.

Not really. Most farmers have them bedded already - just need to wait until there is zero chance of frost. I have helped raise thousands and thousands of them.

Originally Posted by shilala

. . .
We're just gonna look at the pretty flowers.
I might take pictures of the bees, too. I think the flowers are pretty gooey and nectarlicious, so there should be lots of critters.
. . .

Since we grew for production - they never get to flower - but I don't seem to recall a whole lot of activity around the ones that did. You will need to keep an eye out for worms though . . .

If you plan on smoking any of the plants - you may want to top one or two. This way you can see the difference in growth. Flowered plants will grow taller with slightly narrow leaves - topped plants will have fuller richer leaves.

Looking forward to your pics -


Ron

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by shilala

Dood, chill.
I just want to see the pretty flowers.

Scott,
That is what I say about the ones I am growing.
I strictly want the "flowers".