First Grow Single PABL

[marshall9779]

Got some PABL seeds from a Drew Estate Barnsmoker three years ago. Had been meaning to plant some. Remembered late this year but figured I try and grow one. I think i got it sprouted the second week in July so I think it’s at about 7 weeks now. Just using some Miracle Gro moisture control potting soil and Gardentone fertilizer cuz it’s what I had on hand. Transferring to a bigger pot or 5 gal bucket probably today. Here are pics from yesterday. Biggest leaf is 9” x 5”.

 

[deluxestogie]

I assume that PABL means Pennsylvania Broad Leaf. Your plant looks good. You'll need to locate a spacious area at a sunny window for the winter. It may or may not bud in an environment of ambient indoor lighting. It will likely grow no taller than a very large houseplant.

Check out http://northwoodseeds.com/ for a superb selection of tobacco varieties. Without looking it up, I would guess that you should be starting your seed indoors in mid-February, for transplant outdoors after your last frost date.

Good luck.

Bob

 

[marshall9779]

Yes, Pennsylvania Broadleaf. I’m hoping it will bud before I would have to bring it inside full time. I will bring into the garage at night for any frost warnings. Next year I do plant to start feb or March.

 

[marshall9779]

Finally got transferred to a bigger pot yesterday already seems to be doing better.

 

[Knucklehead]

Finally got transferred to a bigger pot yesterday already seems to be doing better.

That is a pretty plant.

 

[Oldfella]

I agree, very nice . Keep us posted on it's progress.
Oldfella

 

[marshall9779]

Coming along. Biggest leaf if about 16” long. Ive had the pot under the edge of a couple oak trees as it gets the most sun there right now. Learned it’s not a good idea to be underneath Oaks or probably any nut bearing tree as a couple leaves were bombed by partially eaten acorns. I think one squirrel even buried one in the pot and tore one of the small mud leaves. All good live and learn but don’t have a better spot to move it to.

 

[Knucklehead]

What kind of critter is that top left first photo?

 

[marshall9779]

What kind of critter is that top left first photo?

My neighbors golden doodle.

 

[Rednekf350]

My neighbors golden doodle.

I was leaning towards llama.

 

[marshall9779]

Sustained a couple leaf casualties as a result of my kids playing around too close. I guess I’ll leave them on unless the leaf looks like it’s dying then I’ll go ahead and prime them. Hung half of one of the mud leaves in the shed that had been basically ripped in half by a squirrel. Other than that plant is doing well and no frost working for the near future in central MD.

 

[Cray Squirrel]

I also still have plants growing outside. We've been very lucky about no frost this fall. Hard freeze predicted Sunday so will prime the last if my patch. Most everything is mature leaf. Just been waiting for the curing chamber to work through it's current load..
You'll end up with a house plant this winter. Keep it close to a window for light. If it starts getting tall and leggy cut it back hard and save one of the suckers coming from the cut off portion as your new main stalk. It'll be the king of your bacco patch next summer. Dont see the leaf that's on it being too apt to mature and ripen inside but it'll give you experience for next year.
Keep it dry and it'll be happy.

 

[marshall9779]

I also still have plants growing outside. We've been very lucky about no frost this fall. Hard freeze predicted Sunday so will prime the last if my patch. Most everything is mature leaf. Just been waiting for the curing chamber to work through it's current load..
You'll end up with a house plant this winter. Keep it close to a window for light. If it starts getting tall and leggy cut it back hard and save one of the suckers coming from the cut off portion as your new main stalk. It'll be the king of your bacco patch next summer. Dont see the leaf that's on it being too apt to mature and ripen inside but it'll give you experience for next year.
Keep it dry and it'll be happy.

Yeah I’ll keep outside completely as long as I can and bring inside for frost warnings. Once it does get consistently cold I’ll put in the garage. It just has the strip of windows on the garage doors but I’ll open the doors on any warmer days. Hoping I’ll see a bud forming in the next couple weeks. Will top as early as I can.

 

[Cray Squirrel]

Good luck..

 

[marshall9779]

Can just see the top of the bud down in there. Going to top as soon as I have enough room to. Guess I need to think about curing. I know typically PA Broadleaf, and Connecticut, is stalk cured. Is there a reason or benefit to stalk curing vs priming for broadleaf tobacco. Will be curing in my garage since it will be warmer than in the shed. Not sure about kilning/fermenting yet. With only one plant, I was thinking about seeing how hot the heating pad I have will get and throw that underneath an airtight 20qt plastic container.

 

[deluxestogie]

Stalk-cutting and stalk-curing a few acres of tobacco is considerably less labor (e.g. less expensive) than priming individual leaves. Aside from that aspect, stalk-curing is more forgiving of variations in ambient conditions, since all the mass and moisture of the stalk serve as buffers. Since it sounds like you won't be carefully controlling for the ideal curing conditions, I would go with stalk-curing.

To get the best yield from your plant, I would wait for elongation of the bud stalk (typically 5 to 10 inches). If you are in a hurry, due to the lateness of the season, then I would top now, even if that means losing the topmost leaf or two. The earlier you top, the earlier you will see distinct signs of maturation in the leaf--that is, yellow leaf tips, and thickening of the lamina.

Bob

 

[marshall9779]

Stalk-cutting and stalk-curing a few acres of tobacco is considerably less labor (e.g. less expensive) than priming individual leaves. Aside from that aspect, stalk-curing is more forgiving of variations in ambient conditions, since all the mass and moisture of the stalk serve as buffers. Since it sounds like you won't be carefully controlling for the ideal curing conditions, I would go with stalk-curing.

To get the best yield from your plant, I would wait for elongation of the bud stalk (typically 5 to 10 inches). If you are in a hurry, due to the lateness of the season, then I would top now, even if that means losing the topmost leaf or two. The earlier you top, the earlier you will see distinct signs of maturation in the leaf--that is, yellow leaf tips, and thickening of the lamina.

Bob

Thanks. Yeah, I am leaning toward stalk curing. Since I the plant can be moved into my garage when needed to avoid freezes, I could probably wait a bit to top of I wanted.

 

[marshall9779]

Good things she’s portable right now. Got 35+ mph winds coming this afternoon on the backside of a nor’easter. Gonna put her in the garage shortly.

 

[Homegrowngoodnes]

Nor'easters used to bring snow when i lived up north...brr. lol

 

[marshall9779]

I’ve taken two damaged lug leaves from the bottom off that had started to turn yellow. Hung them in the garage. The largest one isn’t quite dry yet but both still have some green in them. Not sure if that’s typical from hanging single leaves and they dry out too fast or they weren’t really ripe yet and the yellowing started early due to being damaged. I’ll try and take a pic later.