It’s my first year growing and I only planted 12 plants. Of those 12, only 6 survived transplant. Last week, after bing outside for a month, 2 came back to life. Question one: is this common? Question 2: can I expect anything from my zombie tobacco, i.e. will they truly grow and will I turn into a zombie if I smoke them?
Previously “dead” plants reviving?
- Thread starter ryanj77
- Start date
- Status
Could you tell from looking if the revived plants had put up a sucker from the roots? Possibly something (wire worm, cutworms, maybe) killed the first stalk but the roots survived to put off a sucker? If it didn’t bite you, you won’t become a zombie. To kill it, you have to destroy the brain, but then there goes your revived tobacco. Maybe at topping time, stomp the seed heads, that should do it.
The root system apparently survived long enough to put up another attempt at a stalk. I've seen that on occasion with "destroyed" plants--cutworm, stomped by a deer, etc--that I was unable or unwilling to replace. They do grow and produce useable leaf, but since they tend to have fallen behind on the root competition for garden space, they tend to be somewhat runty by the end of the season.
Bob
Bob
Well if anything I get some leaves and can probably harvest the seeds for next year. Mine won’t have any competition but will probably be small anyway since they are in 5 gallon fabric pots.
ChinaVoodoo
Moderator
I dug up and potted a root ball once and without sunlight there was enough energy to grow three feet tall.
You probably won’t get much from it. A lot of times after cutting tobacco, the stalk will sucker, the suckers never produce a whole lot but in your case, something is always better than nothing. I’m more interested in you only having a 50% transplant survival. You need to figure that situation out before next year. Also, if you had problems out of that plant like it “dying” and coming back to life, you don’t want seeds from those. You only want seeds from good healthy plants.
Part of my problem was that I didn’t get to harden off the plants. I was traveling a lot at the time and was in a hurry, I transplanted to the pots and then stuck them outside. I knew it was a mistake but they were too big for the tray and needed to be moved. I have already formulated anew plan for next year. This year was done in a hurry at the last minute. I will order all of next year’s equipment and seeds much earlier. I appreciate the advice!
For next season, an easy solution: use a pair of sharp scissors to clip off up to 2/3 of each leaf. This has no impact on final leaf production, and strengthens the root system, while eliminating the shading of neighbor seedlings. Also, with less leaf surface, they more easily tolerate transplant.
Bob
I know what you mean about not really being prepped. My tobacco growing this year was more or less and afterthought as well. The only reason I’ll even escape this year with production is because this isn’t my first rodeo using tobacco and because of sheer numbers. I’ve got about 4000 plants, can easily get by on probably a tenth of that but I was able to knock about 6 weeks off the typical KY growing season. Other farmers around here had a month head start planting and had probably mowed their plants a couple times before I even got mine germinated. They relied on fans and heated greenhouses, I just used open air and draped plastic. Next years crop should be a lot better I hope. Anytime you get behind like that just drape plastic over them but give them some ventilation.
I’m fortunate to have a long growing season here in Texas and since this is my first year growing I am considering this a learning experience. Tobacco gods willing, next year will be better.
MadFarmer
Well-Known Member
In my first season I started with 15 plants and ended with 5. This year I didn't have to replace any transplants, I gave the rest away.
There is a learning curve, and nothing grows like a tomato.
Last edited:
Brown Thumb
Well-Known Member
Mine turn into tobacco sucker bushes
- Status
Similar threads
