Taking my first shot at growing tobacco.

[Guitarman-S.T-]

Ah no! So i take it this was a bust?
-Just caught the thread, Great work none the less!!!

[shilala]

Originally Posted by Guitarman-S.T-

Ah no! So i take it this was a bust?
-Just caught the thread, Great work none the less!!!

The whole deal went really well.
I gathered up some leaves, soaked them and experienced how to make them pliable. Some of my plants were huge.
I gathered a quart bag full of open pollinated seed so that I can select for my own varietal, and make my own strain that does well here and resists bugs.
I had an absolute blast with the whole affair, and plan to work with the tobacco even more next year when I have more time to devote to it.
I have seed left from last year's plants so that I can cross back in if necessary some years down the line.
The whole process is something I plan to spend years on, and I absolutely love the plants, so it's going to be a joy.
Thanks for asking, guys!!!

[hotreds]

Shilala Seegars!

[357]

Originally Posted by shilala

The whole deal went really well.
I gathered up some leaves, soaked them and experienced how to make them pliable. Some of my plants were huge.
I gathered a quart bag full of open pollinated seed so that I can select for my own varietal, and make my own strain that does well here and resists bugs.
I had an absolute blast with the whole affair, and plan to work with the tobacco even more next year when I have more time to devote to it.
I have seed left from last year's plants so that I can cross back in if necessary some years down the line.
The whole process is something I plan to spend years on, and I absolutely love the plants, so it's going to be a joy.
Thanks for asking, guys!!!

Are you hanging your crop? If so what's next and can we get pics? I think we're all intrigued.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by 357

Are you hanging your crop? If so what's next and can we get pics? I think we're all intrigued.

No, I've actually just harvested seed and let most of the plants stand for the winter. I left them and a border of corn stalks.
I battled with some sort of aphids all summer that I couldn't kill for the life of me. Next summer I'm going to mix up a batch of insecticidal soap that should take care of the problem.
I had a number of other problems along the way, too.
I started the plants way too early, then had to hold them back for so long that it stunted them and most plants didn't come close to reaching their full size potential.
I also missed my window for taking primings because I was sick all during the period I should have done it. I never made a curing area or went and studied Richard's (tzaddi's) curing method.
I also lost track of which varietal was which when I planted them.
From the very start I had planned to just "experience" the plants and learn their habit and how they act this year.
Next year I'll go to all the trouble to close pollinate Richards original seed, and continue work on my own open pollinated varietal.
I'm going to select for an insect repellant plant with huge leaves so I can grow huge wrapper leaves.
If I can find some pics of the plants when they were all in full glory, I'll post them up.