Hello From Greece

[dR_wH0]

Heya to everyone! I've been a passionate smoker since...well ever I think! I recently got the idea of growing my own tobacco and was amazed to find this community! So much useful information! Props to everyone who has contributed for this to happen.

Having read some stuff (f.a.q - guides) I've seen that it is possible to plant in pots. I intend to try it out at home of course in my balcony - 8 to 10. I also have a small shed on my rooftop (we live in a block of flats) which I'll be using for the fermenting process ? Don't know if I spelled that correctly, well the place where I'll hang my buddies to turn them brown! As for curing...well I hope I'll figure out that by then since I'm having a bit of an issue understanding the difference between the 2.

Now since I'm a cigarette smoker, which variety should I pick to plant ? Also because of the limited number of plants, should I try out one type only or 2+?

Sorry for the many questions and for my possibly brutal use of English

 

[Knucklehead]

Commercial cigarettes are comprised of Virginia, Burley and a Turkish variety, usually Izmir. Look at the cigarette sampler at www.wholeleaftobacco.com and consider buying the sampler to help you figure out what to grow and get familiar with handling and processing whole leaf. He ships all over the world. A good blend to start with is 50% virginia, 40% burley and 10% Turkish. You can blend the Burley up or down to get a fuller or milder smoke.

When is planting time in Greece? We have another member from Greece already visiting the site. His name is ne3go. This coming season will be his first year also.

Welcome to the forum. Read the posts and when you have questions ask away.

 

[dR_wH0]

I think during the first 10-20 days of March is the proper season to plant. Thanks for the tips and the welcome I'll sure have loads of questions in time!

 

[istanbulin]

Another neighbour. Welcome to the forum ! Where is your location ?

 

[dR_wH0]

Neighbours indeed! I'm located at Thessaloniki!!

 

[johnlee1933]

Welcome to our Merry Band. Re: growing in pots use the largest you can fit in your space. 5 gal/20 L. buckets work quite well. The smaller the pot the smaller the plant so fewer larger pots is better than more smaller ones. Last year the plants I grew in 5 gal buckets got ~ 1 M tall. -·-

 

[Ashauler]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[DonH]

Heya to everyone! I've been a passionate smoker since...well ever I think! I recently got the idea of growing my own tobacco and was amazed to find this community! So much useful information! Props to everyone who has contributed for this to happen.

Having read some stuff (f.a.q - guides) I've seen that it is possible to plant in pots. I intend to try it out at home of course in my balcony - 8 to 10. I also have a small shed on my rooftop (we live in a block of flats) which I'll be using for the fermenting process ? Don't know if I spelled that correctly, well the place where I'll hang my buddies to turn them brown! As for curing...well I hope I'll figure out that by then since I'm having a bit of an issue understanding the difference between the 2.

Now since I'm a cigarette smoker, which variety should I pick to plant ? Also because of the limited number of plants, should I try out one type only or 2+?

Sorry for the many questions and for my possibly brutal use of English

Welcome, dR wH0! Brutal English? Are you kidding? You sound like a native American English speaker! How did you learn English so well?

 

[Boboro]

You speek better English than me.

 

[dR_wH0]

Thanks to everyone for your warm welcome and for the tips! I'll start this year (if I'm not already too late) with pots and see how it goes! As for my English, I was lucky to have my sister who taught me. She was raised in Canada/Toronto.

 

[ne3go]

Hello "patrida" and wellcome to the forum!
It's good to see another Greek here, I studied in Thessaloniki, and have the best memories from the city!
I live in Santorini and last year was my first time growing tobacco, not very succesfull though.
This year will be my second attempt (AlabamaKnucklehead you missed my first not-burning cigars topic! )
It's more difficult to grow tobacco in pots, I grow them in my garden but some general advices is:
-Don't water them with city water, contains chloride and maybe don't burn well.
-Try to use 1 or 2 varieties for start, Virginia and Burley will be ok.
-You can hang the leaves to dry, and after turn sweet brown, put them in a kiln for about 4 weeks. I made my own kiln box of "felizol oikodomis DOW", glow it with silicon, and put a slow boiler in there to get temperature at 48oC and humidity to 70%.

 

[dR_wH0]

Hehe thanks Ne3go! I'll drop a PM as soon as I get started! Thanks for the tips!!!

 

[Knucklehead]

ne3go, I remember now that you jogged my memory. I apologize for insinuating you were a newbie. LOL. You are one year ahead of me.

 

[rainmax]

Hi Greece. Best memories from Kreta, Kos, Santorini, Rodos and Athens. I wish you happy growing and big plants. And of course,

ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ

 

[dR_wH0]

Wow Rainmax you've been to more places in Greece than me! I've only visited Crete hehe! Thanks for your kind wishes!

 

[rainmax]

I have friend in Thesaloniki somewhere. His name is Petros. I don't know his Surname. I was working with him in Crete in 1991. His sister Efigenija has shop in Kos Island. I saw him once more in Crete 2004, but than he change his telephone number and I lost his contact. He is about 45 years old. Probably I will come to Thesaloniki this spring on my way going to Acropolis rally. I know it is difficult to spot one person in a million but i also believe there is no coincidence. Say hello to him. LOL

 

[dR_wH0]

Hehehe! Indeed! I'll give him your greetings when I bump into him