furryfreek
Well-Known Member
Hi Everyone,
A few years back, I managed to get hold of some whole-leaf tobacco, but just as I was starting to get the feel for it the law changed here in the UK and our supply dried up. I've been meaning to try growing it for myself ever since then but only just got around to it this year. I must say, this place is a gold mine of information; always nice to learn a few things the easy way
I can't really grow as many plants as I'd like but still wanted a bit of variety so I bought four types of seed: Basma, Little Dutch, Shirey and Kentucky 15. I think I messed up my first germination attempt by using soil from an old bag that'd been left open since last year. The few sprouts that have taken off seem to be doing quite well but they've only come up in few isolated patches. The soil didn't seem ideal in the first place (quite "lumpy" for lack of a better word) and I noticed some mold a couple of days after starting them off in the airing cupboard. It seemed to clear up as soon as I got them on the windowsill and a few sprouts later popped up around the same area so I'm not sure the mold itself did any harm, but I guess some people recommend using sterilised growing media for a reason.
I'm having another go now using some coco fibre substrate; also from last year but stored better and has recently been put to use without issue. I'm a complete noob when it comes to growing, but this coco fibre feels like it should be better suited for starting seedlings. One thing that worries me a bit though, is that it wicks up water crazy fast and maybe holds the moisture in a little too much. I drained/shook out as much excess water as I could before sowing but it still seems a bit on the damp side... Hopefully it'll be okay if I let the containers breath a while, and when they next need a drink I now know I ought to use a tray filled with only just enough water; else it'll suck up all it can like a sponge on steroids.
Oh well, seems like some things have to be learnt the hard way; that's life, I guess
A few years back, I managed to get hold of some whole-leaf tobacco, but just as I was starting to get the feel for it the law changed here in the UK and our supply dried up. I've been meaning to try growing it for myself ever since then but only just got around to it this year. I must say, this place is a gold mine of information; always nice to learn a few things the easy way
I can't really grow as many plants as I'd like but still wanted a bit of variety so I bought four types of seed: Basma, Little Dutch, Shirey and Kentucky 15. I think I messed up my first germination attempt by using soil from an old bag that'd been left open since last year. The few sprouts that have taken off seem to be doing quite well but they've only come up in few isolated patches. The soil didn't seem ideal in the first place (quite "lumpy" for lack of a better word) and I noticed some mold a couple of days after starting them off in the airing cupboard. It seemed to clear up as soon as I got them on the windowsill and a few sprouts later popped up around the same area so I'm not sure the mold itself did any harm, but I guess some people recommend using sterilised growing media for a reason.
I'm having another go now using some coco fibre substrate; also from last year but stored better and has recently been put to use without issue. I'm a complete noob when it comes to growing, but this coco fibre feels like it should be better suited for starting seedlings. One thing that worries me a bit though, is that it wicks up water crazy fast and maybe holds the moisture in a little too much. I drained/shook out as much excess water as I could before sowing but it still seems a bit on the damp side... Hopefully it'll be okay if I let the containers breath a while, and when they next need a drink I now know I ought to use a tray filled with only just enough water; else it'll suck up all it can like a sponge on steroids.
Oh well, seems like some things have to be learnt the hard way; that's life, I guess
