BarG
Founding Member
Heh heh, That is an unusual looking cigar there Bob. It really looks like a fire cured wrapper.
deluxestogie Grow Log 2013
- Thread starter deluxestogie
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jekylnz
Well-Known Member
Looks tasty though.go good with a nice coffee
OMG! MTILTITGM![sup]*[/sup] LOL. 
Bob
[sup]*[/sup] My tobacco is like totally in the ground, man!
Bob
[sup]*[/sup] My tobacco is like totally in the ground, man!
SHBHTLPHL*
*somebody has been hitting the leaf pretty hard lately
*somebody has been hitting the leaf pretty hard lately
jekylnz
Well-Known Member
ygatm.lol
you guys are totally mad!!
you guys are totally mad!!
Boboro
Well-Known Member
Cpmg. Come plant my garden.
jekylnz
Well-Known Member
You just need to come up with a auto planter you can hook up to ur rideon...long as you have the steering fixt to keep your rows straight..the law might do you for D.U.I if your not careful these days
Counting the 9 plants that are not yet ready to put in, I have 220 tobacco plants. BigBonner's seedlings arrived yesterday. I got 64 of them into the ground before it became too dark. With an overcast this morning, I rushed out and planted everything. Since the soil was damp from drizzle during the night, I did not add water to each of this morning's transplants. By the time I was done planting, some of the non-watered plants were looking a bit limp, so I lugged buckets of water out, and did my measuring cupful for each plant put in today. Twenty minutes later, I got a soaking rain.
Everything looks happy. (Even I look happy. That might have something to do with all the Nicaraguan leaf I've been wallowing in.) Once the precipitation ends, I'll get a photo. It's amazing how much physical labor goes into hand-digging ~1000 sq. ft. of garden beds, lugging bags of manure, mixing soil, germinating, watering seedlings--over a period of 3 months. Now the work slackens to a more deliberate pace--a codger pace--until time for harvest. While tedious, daily walks through the tobacco, picking worms, suckering, topping, even bagging, are all somewhat contemplative activities, and are made more enjoyable by the site of tobacco plants visibly growing taller and fuller each day.
Although obtaining the bulk of my plants from BigBonner did save a lot of finger work, I think the most important savings was a reduction of stress and worry. In addition to the "production" varieties supplied by Larry, I am growing for seed:
After placing my request for seedlings from BigBonner, I decided to increase the number of Xanthi Yaka 18a, so I germinated additional plants. Larry's will grow side-by-side with them, so I will be able to note the difference. Of the Mutki from Larry, half is covered in Agribon-AG15 as a floating row cover, the other half is buck naked under the stars. I'll compare those as well.
Most of my varieties are planted at 3.75 sq. ft. per plant. Mutki and Little Dutch are planted at 2.75 sq. ft. per plant. The Xanthi and the Celikhan are planted at 0.68 sq. ft. per plant. The two Prilep varieties are planted at ~1.88 sq. ft. per plant.
On the vegetable front, I have planted some Minnesota Midget cantaloupes, and Blacktail Mountain watermelon, both being small, short-season varieties, 5 varieties of squash, gobs of tomatoes and cukes, along with several varieties of mild peppers (can't handle hot pepper these days), and various veggies that are either hard to find locally, or are otherwise too expensive. My patch of Oxaca Green dent corn is solely for fat pipe cobs. One entire bed is 1/2 green beans, 1/2 Italian Roma beans. The beans don't fit the hard-to-find/expensive criteria, but fresh beans taste so much better than store bought. The same goes for garden peas. (I believe it's due to the loss of natural sugars during commercial transport.) And of course, spring onions. This year, I planted half as many garlics as last year (since I ended up giving away half of them, and I still have a few remaining heads).
Whew! It's all in the ground now. I also have some scarlet runner beans located so they can grow up the wrought iron column at the corner of my front porch, mostly for decoration.
Bob
Everything looks happy. (Even I look happy. That might have something to do with all the Nicaraguan leaf I've been wallowing in.) Once the precipitation ends, I'll get a photo. It's amazing how much physical labor goes into hand-digging ~1000 sq. ft. of garden beds, lugging bags of manure, mixing soil, germinating, watering seedlings--over a period of 3 months. Now the work slackens to a more deliberate pace--a codger pace--until time for harvest. While tedious, daily walks through the tobacco, picking worms, suckering, topping, even bagging, are all somewhat contemplative activities, and are made more enjoyable by the site of tobacco plants visibly growing taller and fuller each day.
Although obtaining the bulk of my plants from BigBonner did save a lot of finger work, I think the most important savings was a reduction of stress and worry. In addition to the "production" varieties supplied by Larry, I am growing for seed:
- two Prilep varieties (from Rainmax)
- Guácharo (from Rainmax)
- Moonlight (from Rainmax)
- Celikhan (from Skychaser)
- Tabasqueño Prieto (from NRustica on HTGT)
- Iztepeque 589 (from Skychaser)
After placing my request for seedlings from BigBonner, I decided to increase the number of Xanthi Yaka 18a, so I germinated additional plants. Larry's will grow side-by-side with them, so I will be able to note the difference. Of the Mutki from Larry, half is covered in Agribon-AG15 as a floating row cover, the other half is buck naked under the stars. I'll compare those as well.
Most of my varieties are planted at 3.75 sq. ft. per plant. Mutki and Little Dutch are planted at 2.75 sq. ft. per plant. The Xanthi and the Celikhan are planted at 0.68 sq. ft. per plant. The two Prilep varieties are planted at ~1.88 sq. ft. per plant.
On the vegetable front, I have planted some Minnesota Midget cantaloupes, and Blacktail Mountain watermelon, both being small, short-season varieties, 5 varieties of squash, gobs of tomatoes and cukes, along with several varieties of mild peppers (can't handle hot pepper these days), and various veggies that are either hard to find locally, or are otherwise too expensive. My patch of Oxaca Green dent corn is solely for fat pipe cobs. One entire bed is 1/2 green beans, 1/2 Italian Roma beans. The beans don't fit the hard-to-find/expensive criteria, but fresh beans taste so much better than store bought. The same goes for garden peas. (I believe it's due to the loss of natural sugars during commercial transport.) And of course, spring onions. This year, I planted half as many garlics as last year (since I ended up giving away half of them, and I still have a few remaining heads).
Whew! It's all in the ground now. I also have some scarlet runner beans located so they can grow up the wrought iron column at the corner of my front porch, mostly for decoration.
Bob
It's a lot of effort to do all the jobs of digging,transplanting etc, but the satisfaction when you see all the plants in the ground worth it!
BTW, you didn't have to put explanation on MTILTITGM, SHBHTLPHL, ygatm.... They are pretty much self-explained....
BTW, you didn't have to put explanation on MTILTITGM, SHBHTLPHL, ygatm.... They are pretty much self-explained....
Visual Aids
Here's a shot of most of the garden, as it appeared immediately after completing the tobacco transplants.
Just a lot of dirt, with a few specks of green. The lower beds include, in addition to tobacco, a bed of tomatoes (you can see the cages) and cukes, a bed of squash, a bed with Oaxaca Green dent corn and melons (the bottom left corner), and a small bed into which I've transplanted my herbs (after deciding that all those invasive herb plants had taken undue liberties with my veggie beds--they are now in solitary).
The Mutki, Celikhan and Xanthi Yaka are in a different location, and will have to do a better job at attracting my attention, before I waste a bunch of pixels on them.
Below, is a quick pic of what I'm smoking as I write this. On top, there is an Ecuador Maduro (presumed Sumatra) wrapper, from Don's latest batch. There is no binder, since the wrapper is sturdy, stretchable and capable of doing the job of both wrapper and binder, so long as I don't trim it to an elegant, curvy shape. Beneath is all the filler. At the bottom, a single strip of Nicaragua Cubano viso, the bulk is my Dominican Olor (that was lightly frosted), and the really dark strips at the top are from a "tip" leaf of my Little Dutch.
Cigar fixins.
The forecast is for a solid week of overcast, intermittently rainy days. (Can you hear the tiny clapping hands of all those new transplants?) The first 64 crooked seedlings that went into the ground two days ago are beginning to straighten. The rest are still a bit confused, but looking content.
Bob
Here's a shot of most of the garden, as it appeared immediately after completing the tobacco transplants.
Just a lot of dirt, with a few specks of green. The lower beds include, in addition to tobacco, a bed of tomatoes (you can see the cages) and cukes, a bed of squash, a bed with Oaxaca Green dent corn and melons (the bottom left corner), and a small bed into which I've transplanted my herbs (after deciding that all those invasive herb plants had taken undue liberties with my veggie beds--they are now in solitary).
The Mutki, Celikhan and Xanthi Yaka are in a different location, and will have to do a better job at attracting my attention, before I waste a bunch of pixels on them.
Below, is a quick pic of what I'm smoking as I write this. On top, there is an Ecuador Maduro (presumed Sumatra) wrapper, from Don's latest batch. There is no binder, since the wrapper is sturdy, stretchable and capable of doing the job of both wrapper and binder, so long as I don't trim it to an elegant, curvy shape. Beneath is all the filler. At the bottom, a single strip of Nicaragua Cubano viso, the bulk is my Dominican Olor (that was lightly frosted), and the really dark strips at the top are from a "tip" leaf of my Little Dutch.
Cigar fixins.
The forecast is for a solid week of overcast, intermittently rainy days. (Can you hear the tiny clapping hands of all those new transplants?) The first 64 crooked seedlings that went into the ground two days ago are beginning to straighten. The rest are still a bit confused, but looking content.
Bob
BarG
Founding Member
Bravo,Bravo, I wish I could pry this cigar and beer out of my hands to clap for you and go finish putting another hundred ready plants in the ground, But it is really windy today.
Chicken,
The individual beds are deeply dug. A rototiller would simply sink in. Tractor wheels would vanish to the hub--small tractor. I never even step on them, once they're dug. Their 5' width enables me to reach from the side all the way beyond the center of a bed while still standing on the grass. The grass allows me to work, and walk between rows and from one row to the next without stepping in mud. Each bed is ~60 sq. ft., so measuring and plant spacing are a simple matter.
Surrounding sod minimizes soil water loss during drought, and prevents torrents on the sloping ground during hard rains. My only complaint about the grass is that my lawn tractor throws out clippings when I do the rows between the beds. This year, I plan to refurbish one of my old walk-behind mowers that has a bag attachment, to mow between the beds. (I generally find grass clipping bags a nuisance.)
The slope of my growing area.
Since I don't have curing space for more tobacco (or even what I'm growing), the demand for more planting space is not likely to increase any time soon.
Adding to the simplicity, I have planted most of my production varieties (still too many) as one variety per bed--16 plants of each main variety. One small label identifies all the plants in one plot.
One plastic tag per variety.
16 plants per bed. I divide the plot into ~3' lengths, then simply plant 4 plants to each section, staggered.
Bob
The individual beds are deeply dug. A rototiller would simply sink in. Tractor wheels would vanish to the hub--small tractor. I never even step on them, once they're dug. Their 5' width enables me to reach from the side all the way beyond the center of a bed while still standing on the grass. The grass allows me to work, and walk between rows and from one row to the next without stepping in mud. Each bed is ~60 sq. ft., so measuring and plant spacing are a simple matter.
Surrounding sod minimizes soil water loss during drought, and prevents torrents on the sloping ground during hard rains. My only complaint about the grass is that my lawn tractor throws out clippings when I do the rows between the beds. This year, I plan to refurbish one of my old walk-behind mowers that has a bag attachment, to mow between the beds. (I generally find grass clipping bags a nuisance.)
The slope of my growing area.
Since I don't have curing space for more tobacco (or even what I'm growing), the demand for more planting space is not likely to increase any time soon.
Adding to the simplicity, I have planted most of my production varieties (still too many) as one variety per bed--16 plants of each main variety. One small label identifies all the plants in one plot.
One plastic tag per variety.
16 plants per bed. I divide the plot into ~3' lengths, then simply plant 4 plants to each section, staggered.
Bob
Bob, many mowers have a so called "mulching" mode which simply restricts or blocks the normally high speed, out the side air flow. Some mowing decks can be furnished with mulching blades. One or both of these approaches might correct your clipping problem without you having to traipse around after a mower.
BarG
Founding Member
Or you could put a goat on a very short leash. Free fertilizer. Personaly I would recomend a walk behind weed eater. It would be the same as mowing your lawn between beds and directing where you want the clippings . watch for rocks. With the space between your beds you may be okay other than a bit of dirt and grass from the wind. You can adjust throttle for velocity of throw out.
Bob, after seeing your marker for Vuelta Abajo I'm a little worried. The thing looks more like a mini tombstone. Now, through in your mini burial vault measuring stick and I'm starting to see a pattern here...
Boboro
Well-Known Member
The problem with grass and bacca is the grass clippins gets on the leaf if you ant real careful.
AmaxB
Well-Known Member
Haha always enjoy reading this...I learn and giggle
When I go belly-up, cremate me slowly, by burying me under a patch of good tobacco. And really, you don't even need a marker. "Here grow some deluxe stogies."
Bob
On mowers and evil birds
Several days after putting in all my transplants, I walked the garden in the morning, inspecting each plant. Six of them (of various varieties) had their growth tips removed. I replaced them, then ran errands for two hours. On my return, three more plants had been decapitated. I replaced those as well. As of today, although some leaves have vanished, all the growth tips are still intact. These events occur only in beds that have no floating Agribon cover.
What does this? Birds. Starlings, the best I can determine. The little winged pack rats gather tender sprouts for nesting material, then carry it up into the surrounding trees. They do this in broad daylight. The only puzzle here is that my garden is surrounded by endless acres of pastures, fence-line trees, weeds, wildflowers and mowed lawns. I guess those weed-free tobacco plots just make the helpless transplants stand out. "Come and pick me!"
On the mower front, my most recent self-propelled walk-behind monster (6 years old) went away with my son, when he and his family moved to Alabama two years ago. ("Sure. Take it. I don't really need if for anything any more.")
Next in line was a green self-propelled piece of junk that I bought at Lowe's about 9 years ago. At the time I replaced it, only one of the two drive wheels still had power. Today, both rear wheels were locked in eternal corrosion. No go.
The remaining mower with a bagging attachment was a 20 year old clunker from Sears (Tecumseh "engine"). The only self in its "self-propulsion" is my back. But the bag was still intact. It hasn't been cranked in 9 years. In storing it, I had just shoved the thing into the shed and tried to forget the money I had spent on it. During its last year of service, I had replaced all 4 wheels with slightly larger ones that had good bearings.
Today, I couldn't find the right size spark plug wrench to check out the plug. The bolt holding the carburetor bowl was frozen. What to do? I poured some gas into the bone-dry tank, and gave the rope a pull. At the twentieth pull, it cranked up--after 9 years of utter neglect, and no service or prep.
I don't remember it being so much effort to push a lawn mower. But I'm 9 years older now. Holy crap, was that work. But it neatly mowed between the beds, capturing all the nasty clippings inside its bag. And the blade was dull and rusty. Cost: $0.
So, I say, "Adiós," to grass clippings on my lettuce and cukes and tobacco.
Bob
Several days after putting in all my transplants, I walked the garden in the morning, inspecting each plant. Six of them (of various varieties) had their growth tips removed. I replaced them, then ran errands for two hours. On my return, three more plants had been decapitated. I replaced those as well. As of today, although some leaves have vanished, all the growth tips are still intact. These events occur only in beds that have no floating Agribon cover.
What does this? Birds. Starlings, the best I can determine. The little winged pack rats gather tender sprouts for nesting material, then carry it up into the surrounding trees. They do this in broad daylight. The only puzzle here is that my garden is surrounded by endless acres of pastures, fence-line trees, weeds, wildflowers and mowed lawns. I guess those weed-free tobacco plots just make the helpless transplants stand out. "Come and pick me!"
On the mower front, my most recent self-propelled walk-behind monster (6 years old) went away with my son, when he and his family moved to Alabama two years ago. ("Sure. Take it. I don't really need if for anything any more.")
Next in line was a green self-propelled piece of junk that I bought at Lowe's about 9 years ago. At the time I replaced it, only one of the two drive wheels still had power. Today, both rear wheels were locked in eternal corrosion. No go.
The remaining mower with a bagging attachment was a 20 year old clunker from Sears (Tecumseh "engine"). The only self in its "self-propulsion" is my back. But the bag was still intact. It hasn't been cranked in 9 years. In storing it, I had just shoved the thing into the shed and tried to forget the money I had spent on it. During its last year of service, I had replaced all 4 wheels with slightly larger ones that had good bearings.
Today, I couldn't find the right size spark plug wrench to check out the plug. The bolt holding the carburetor bowl was frozen. What to do? I poured some gas into the bone-dry tank, and gave the rope a pull. At the twentieth pull, it cranked up--after 9 years of utter neglect, and no service or prep.
I don't remember it being so much effort to push a lawn mower. But I'm 9 years older now. Holy crap, was that work. But it neatly mowed between the beds, capturing all the nasty clippings inside its bag. And the blade was dull and rusty. Cost: $0.
So, I say, "Adiós," to grass clippings on my lettuce and cukes and tobacco.
Bob
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