Hello from Idaho: @nickp

[nickp]

Hello all. I've joined the forums in hopes of preparing myself w/ enough knowledge to grow a small crop of tobacco next year. I've lurked for a while, and the resources and group knowledge here are just stupendous. I've read Bob's books, and I have a general working knowledge of what's required to get decent results. Over the winter, I think gaining some practical experience w/ whole leaf blending is in order. To that end, I will be ordering a sampler box from WLT; the varieties there will allow me to get hands on w/ caring for an blending whole leaf, making my own cavendish, and maybe even a small batch of beerique. Coupled w/ some latakia, I think I would be capable of blending much of what I like myself. I lean toward English and Burley blends -- Haunted Bookshop, EMP, and Epiphany are my current favorites. I do have a question, however -- do the leaves that come in the sampler box require much in the way of processing once received, or are they generally ready to blend?

As for growing, I'm thinking a burley variety that I can air cure and kiln, and maybe some smaller orientals, would be a good starting point. I'm open to any suggestions anyone might have on varieties to consider. We have 4, 4x7 raised beds that my wife might give me some space in with the right pursuasion. She has a real problem w/ squash bugs wrecking her zucchini and crooked neck harvests. Could planting some tobacco plants (with their natural insecticidal properties) in the same beds help stave off those infestations? If so, we've got a practical reason to plant beyond my fiddling!

Much thanks and appreciation to all who give their time and energy to this great resource.

Nick

 

[deluxestogie]

do the leaves that come in the sampler box require much in the way of processing

Welcome to the forum.

The leaf from WLT is whole leaf, ready to go. You just have to remove the central vein from each leaf, prior to shredding and blending.

Could planting some tobacco plants (with their natural insecticidal properties) in the same beds help stave off those infestations?

Probably not much help there. But there might be a bit!

Bob

 

[nickp]

Thanks, Bob -- was thinking that might be the case. From what I've read, the nicotine in tobacco plants can help protect that plant from some infestations, but there doesn't seem to be much data indicating any benefit to other plants in proximity. Of course, being primarily a commercial crop I wouldn't expect much data of that sort for tobacco. There seems to be some folks who use tobacco for trap cropping sap sucking insects like aphids. We have seen benefits from intercropping other plant varieties, like marigolds w/ our tomatoes, so can't hurt to try! Squash bugs have been our nemesis for nearly 20 years now -- about the only effective strategy is to physically remove them and their eggs.

As for burley varieties, any recommendations on a good general purpose variety for pipe blending? Was leaning toward TN90 or Kentucky Burley 15.

Much thanks!
Nick

 

[nickp]

My apologies -- I just saw your response to @bbfarmky , Bob. Sounds like the perfect starter list:

• Virginia Bright Leaf (assumed sun-cured) spaced at 24 to 36"
• TN 86 or TN 90 burley (shade-cured) spaced at 24 to 36" [I have become fond of the lovely Canadian burley variety, Harrow Velvet.]
• Basma [Oriental] (sun-cured) spaced at 9"

I'll have to research sun curing the VA bright! Might have to pot some of these.

Nick

 

[jclif43]

Welcome!

 

[Alpine]

Welcome to FTT

pier

 

[StoneCarver]

Could planting some tobacco plants (with their natural insecticidal properties) in the same beds help stave off those infestations?

Not likely, last summer I noticed squash bugs on my tobacco plants. I planted winter squashes between my tobacco plants and they got eaten up with squash bugs.
The only things I've found effective against squash bugs is regular spraying with soapy water. Growing resistant varieties helps. I try to stick with C. moschata varieties since squash vine borers have a hard time attacking them. My main nemesis though is deer and woodchucks. I didn't get any squash this year because of those furry buggers.

Of course, being primarily a commercial crop I wouldn't expect much data of that sort for tobacco.

You'd be surprised by the amount of research that is done on tobacco. Tobacco has some growth qualities to it that makes is amenable to plant research which has nothing to do with commercial production.

 

[deluxestogie]

You'd be surprised by the amount of research that is done on tobacco.

...amount of research that was done on tobacco. Most of that, for political reasons, has been replaced with research using Arabidopsis thaliana, a relative of mustard.

Bob

 

[nickp]

Not likely, last summer I noticed squash bugs on my tobacco plants. I planted winter squashes between my tobacco plants and they got eaten up with squash bugs.
The only things I've found effective against squash bugs is regular spraying with soapy water. Growing resistant varieties helps. I try to stick with C. moschata varieties since squash vine borers have a hard time attacking them. My main nemesis though is deer and woodchucks. I didn't get any squash this year because of those furry buggers.


You'd be surprised by the amount of research that is done on tobacco. Tobacco has some growth qualities to it that makes is amenable to plant research which has nothing to do with commercial production.

Thanks for the feedback. We've found checking the undersides of the leaves for eggs and pulling them off w/ a loop of packing tape (sticky side out, of course) works pretty well to keep the squash bug population from exploding, but it eats up a ton of time. I've heard lime basil is a good deterent drop, and trellising squash to keep the buds away from the ground can help as well.

I hear you on the varmints -- there's a product called "deer stop" made from putrified egg solids that works really well to keep the deer away, for us at least. We don't get much rain from June to September, so we don't have to reapply very often. Not sure on woodchucks -- we have voles that give us headaches, but there's a rodent deterrent made from granules of paper soaked in castor oil that helps keep them away. We still lose the occasional cucumber or squash, but it does help.

I'll have to look into that research. I really do find it all very fascinating. That's one thing I love about this site, and Bob's books -- the rigor with which everyone approaches this hobby.