Kushtaka
New Member
Hello there tobacco enthusiasts. While I don't use tobacco anymore I do love growing plants. Particularly ones that humans have carried around the world. If they store well and can be used for barter even better. Despite many smokers and gardeners here I don't know of anybody growing any type of tobacco. After my initial search I settled on rustica having the best chance of growing in my cooler climate. So, I ordered some Aztec seeds last year.
Out of the dozen starts I planted only one puny 6 inch tall plant grew. It's leaves were tiny but it did produce seed. Encouraged by this minor success I processed the seeds and ordered some Mohawk, Punche, Limonka, and a couple burley varieties from Victory Seeds.
This year the Aztec seeds I saved grew many starts. I also got a few Mohawk and 1 Punch. None of the burley sprouted. I'll try those again next year. Maybe somebody knows a short, cool season N. Tobacum variety I can try.
It has been a month since I transplanted and these plants are beasts compared to the parent. My abandoned seed trays also sprouted a few more Mohawk outside. So maybe I can get to a direct seeding variety after a few seasons.
Here is a picture of the new additions to my seed bank. Thats tatatsoi mustard on the left and the transplanted rusticas in the center.
I already know from my attempt last year with the 5 tiny leaves that outdoor curing is not going to work for me. Late season is too chilly and wet to dry anything without mold. After reading here I will be trying to stack leaves for a week before hanging. People seem to get good curing or rustica that way. If I get some good cured leaf I am going to try making some Oliver Twist style bits to gift to my tobacco using friends.
Out of the dozen starts I planted only one puny 6 inch tall plant grew. It's leaves were tiny but it did produce seed. Encouraged by this minor success I processed the seeds and ordered some Mohawk, Punche, Limonka, and a couple burley varieties from Victory Seeds.
This year the Aztec seeds I saved grew many starts. I also got a few Mohawk and 1 Punch. None of the burley sprouted. I'll try those again next year. Maybe somebody knows a short, cool season N. Tobacum variety I can try.
It has been a month since I transplanted and these plants are beasts compared to the parent. My abandoned seed trays also sprouted a few more Mohawk outside. So maybe I can get to a direct seeding variety after a few seasons.
Here is a picture of the new additions to my seed bank. Thats tatatsoi mustard on the left and the transplanted rusticas in the center.
I already know from my attempt last year with the 5 tiny leaves that outdoor curing is not going to work for me. Late season is too chilly and wet to dry anything without mold. After reading here I will be trying to stack leaves for a week before hanging. People seem to get good curing or rustica that way. If I get some good cured leaf I am going to try making some Oliver Twist style bits to gift to my tobacco using friends.
