China Voodoo 2017 Grow Blog

[ChinaVoodoo]

I lost a few leaves to hares, I think. There were nibbles. Maybe they learned they didn't taste good. The father-in-law who lives in the country agreed with my assessment. Should I do something to all my garden to deter further nibbling?

 

[Snusser]

Should I do something to all my garden to deter further nibbling?

As Elmer Fudd would advise, Kill the Wabbit... .22 Caliber Pellet Air Rifles are great in suburban environments for pest control. No noise to bother the neighbors.

Chicken wire fencing works to keep rabbits out as well. Individual preference.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

As Elmer Fudd would advise, Kill the Wabbit... .22 Caliber Pellet Air Rifles are great in suburban environments for pest control. No noise to bother the neighbors.

Chicken wire fencing works to keep rabbits out as well. Individual preference.

People like to look at them. Me too. I was just thinking maybe I could spray with something like chili pepper or soap. Something they don't like.

 

[Snusser]

I've had Dalmatian dogs that did a good job of pest control in years past. My current Ridgeback dog is only interested in raccoons or black bears. All other critters are welcome.

After losing several back yard vegetable crops to rabbits, I just use wire fencing for the past few years.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I've had Dalmatian dogs that did a good job of pest control in years past. My current Ridgeback dog is only interested in raccoons or black bears. All other critters are welcome.

After losing several back yard vegetable crops to rabbits, I just use wire fencing for the past few years.

Dalmatians are pretty awesome dogs. I hear you about the chicken wire, and the pellet gun. Most of my vegetables, and about 20% of my tobacco is in the front yard though, and these traditional tactics wouldn't fly. There are no hares in the back yard. I have a good fence and four cats.

 

[Snusser]

The Dalmatians were sweet and good dogs when they were not biting somebody. Bait with good looks and bite because they were all psychotic. The U.S. Postal service ranks them as the number one biter of letter carriers. I could never completely trust those dogs around young children.

My sample size of -one- Ridgeback breed dog is the most stable and trustworthy temperament dog I have ever been around. Anything smaller than him, he protects.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

The Dalmatians were sweet and good dogs when they were not biting somebody. Bait with good looks and bite because they were all psychotic. The U.S. Postal service ranks them as the number one biter of letter carriers. I could never completely trust those dogs around young children.

My sample size of -one- Ridgeback breed dog is the most stable and trustworthy temperament dog I have ever been around. Anything smaller than him, he protects.

I had never heard of the Ridgeback. I read up a little. It's an interesting breed.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I set up a plastic owl beside the tobacco. Maybe that'll help with the hares.

I checked the ground temperature this morning at various spots. The front tobacco and cucumber patch is 61F. The back tobacco patch is 64F. Ground planted tomatoes are 61F, while the potted ones are 71F. Strangest thing is the pumpkin/zucchini crosses in half oak barrels are already 80F, even though the air temperature hasn't reached that yet. Thermometer is fine. Must be the way the sun heats up the barrel and the large amount of soil holds the heat.

 

[deluxestogie]

I lost a few leaves to hares, I think.

If the leaves that you have lost are tobacco leaves, I wouldn't worry about prolonged or extensive predation by hares. All the world is a buffet. They taste everything, then eat what tastes good.

Bob

 

[SmokesAhoy]

Coyote pee works on deer, maybe bunnies too?

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Coyote pee works on deer, maybe bunnies too?

That is a good idea.

We have a weather warning of up to 60mph winds tonight through tomorrow. I've only planted 10 tobacco plants so far. I think I might dig them up rather than try to devise some other form of protection.
https://www.google.ca/amp/globalnew...r-looming-for-alberta-environment-canada/amp/

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Tobacco planting is complete. It's a simple year. Disaster behind me. Two kinds, only 52 plants- 26x Delhi 34, and 26x Piloto Cubano. It should be care free from here on out. Knock on wood.

 

[Charly]

Sometimes, less is more
Good luck with your baccy, which seems to be quite big already !

 

[deluxestogie]

Carefree? At least at the point they've now reached, they will grow no matter what. Nice work.

Bob

 

[Charly]

Better few good leaves than a lot of bad leaves Take good care of them

 

[greenmonster714]

Tobacco planting is complete. It's a simple year. Disaster behind me. Two kinds, only 52 plants- 26x Delhi 34, and 26x Piloto Cubano. It should be care free from here on out. Knock on wood.
View attachment 20776

Bro, that is a pretty bed of tobacco. Looks like a professional landscape job.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Carefree? At least at the point they've now reached, they will grow no matter what. Nice work.

Bob

Oh. I see how what I meant to say didn't come out right. Perhaps I should have written, "worry free, (until the next freak July snowstorm)."

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I keep losing the lower leaves on the Delhi 34 to the wind. I am telling myself it's better this way because they would just be lousy lugs anyhow.
It isn't a very sturdy plant at this point. Perhaps being only a month old, but with such large leaves, it just isn't strong enough. Maybe I should try to grow Windel next year:
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sour...L3bm7CJh_zaT0IL8g&sig2=8XkQusrvKwo-lbglQgboSw

 

[SmokesAhoy]

The wind this year has been something else. A few weeks ago we had some freak storm pop up with gusts to 70mph, or like a million km/h, and flatten trees, roofs and whatever wasn't nailed to the ground.

You're right about the leaves being lost just being trash leaves if the wind didn't get them you'd either throw them out or be smoking sand.

Every year throws a few hurdles but by the looks of your beautiful beds you're making the most of it.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

The wind this year has been something else. A few weeks ago we had some freak storm pop up with gusts to 70mph, or like a million km/h, and flatten trees, roofs and whatever wasn't nailed to the ground.

You're right about the leaves being lost just being trash leaves if the wind didn't get them you'd either throw them out or be smoking sand.

Every year throws a few hurdles but by the looks of your beautiful beds you're making the most of it.

Thanks for confirming my rationale for not being anxious about the wind. Last week we had 45-60 mph, 5 degrees C plus rain. I only had ten plants in the ground at the time, so I made little brick houses for each plant. They did just fine, which was nice.