The Knucklehead way to Grow a Blog

[deluxestogie]

The only problem I can think of (with 8' row spacing) is that plants allowed too much space will sometimes behave as though they have been over-fertilized, and will grow rank. I'm not sure if that also might lead to difficulty in color-curing.

Bob

 

[johnlee1933]

When we cleared that whole area for the pond, the trees around the edge only had leaves at the tops and the first patch area had full sun. Now the trees have put on lower limbs and when the sun is low in the sky in the spring, it shades the patch..

Yeah, got a similar problem here. It's amazing how much big trees grow in 25 years. A couple of them are going to suffer big time this fall and I should be back to 40% shade next year. So far no serious ill effects from the extra shade.

 

[Knucklehead]

The only problem I can think of (with 8' row spacing) is that plants allowed too much space will sometimes behave as though they have been over-fertilized, and will grow rank. I'm not sure if that also might lead to difficulty in color-curing.

Bob

Is it possible the 16" plant spacing could help compensate for the excessive row spacing?

 

[deluxestogie]

Wallace, we're all just winging it. The old books urge prompt replacement for failed transplants in order to avoid rank growth in the plants adjacent to the missing plant. In deep-bed planting (the technique I've adopted for tobacco), the between-row distance is ignored, and all plants are spaced in staggered rows using the between-plant space recommendations.

If you plant at 16", you may find them crowding out their neighbors for sun. I think a double row (staggered), with 21" spacing, with mowed grass in the wide isles between the beds would work well. This would allow access to the row from either side, yet still limit the available soil for the roots.

Bob

 

[Knucklehead]

I'm planted for this year, so it will be an experiment to help determine what I need to do next year. Great input. Thanks.

Did you notice the Djebel?

 

[workhorse_01]

I like the double row, 21" spacing. It seems like when the wind blows during storms, it gives the plants each other to lean on. I don't seem to have blow downs as a result. When real bad storms come, I don't think it matters what you do.

 

[Boboro]

I spent all afyernoon pickin up plants and still got some on the ground.I got to tired to give a dam.

 

[DGBAMA]

The Bulgarians are looking good.

 

[AmaxB]

I was pulling some grass out from under the spun fabric I used on this second patch and nearly died. I was thinking snake the whole time my hand was up under the fabric and I pulled out a handful of grass and a tree frog. I saw the head and felt the slimy feel of it in my hand and I almost had an apoplexy. I still have grass under that stuff but I seem to have developed a phobia. I don't know what to do now. I didn't have that problem with the woven fabric on the first patch, it was a tighter weave and heavier. The spun fabric is letting too much light through and the grass is growing under it. I don't think this would be a problem in an established patch where several ground turnings had killed off most of the grass and weeds, but it's a problem in this virgin patch. My heart is still hammering away at about 200 BPM.

Mulch

 

[deluxestogie]

Did you notice the Djebel?

I did. It's hard to tell much at this stage of their growth, but set aside a seed or two for me. I'll set you up with some Prilep for next year.

Bob

 

[Knucklehead]

I did. It's hard to tell much at this stage of their growth, but set aside a seed or two for me. I'll set you up with some Prilep for next year.

Bob

Deal. I was planning on ~2000 of each variety for the seed bank and ~200 of each variety to you for back up. At your request, it will be ~201-202 of the Djebel.

 

[Knucklehead]

The Bulgarians are looking good.

They were the first planted. But they are some pretty plants. With the rains, the planting has been rather intermittent. The grass pulling has been even more so. The work keeps piling up when wet and when it's dry the grass keeps going down on the priority list.

 

[Knucklehead]

Mulch

Your patch definitely is a plus for the mulch method, but I've also read in other threads where it can be a haven for the critters. The type of mulch may be a factor. What did you use?

 

[Knucklehead]

I spent all afyernoon pickin up plants and still got some on the ground.I got to tired to give a dam.

The heat and humidity will slap take the sap out of you won't it?

 

[Knucklehead]

I like the double row, 21" spacing. It seems like when the wind blows during storms, it gives the plants each other to lean on. I don't seem to have blow downs as a result. When real bad storms come, I don't think it matters what you do.

Is the 21" measured in a straight line or from plant to plant at an angle? Also, how many inches is the offset in the stagger?

 

[Knucklehead]

Gosh darn it! 99% humidity right now. Will be 82% at 6:00 am. I may have to move all my curing leaves inside the house at night. This is a bugger.

 

[ne3go]

Gosh darn it! 99% humidity right now. Will be 82% at 6:00 am. I may have to move all my curing leaves inside the house at night. This is a bugger.

Here, the last 20 days the humidity is never over 50% because of the north winds...And i live on an island! (the winter the average humidity was about 60-80%)
Tried to put some buckets of water in my garage, with some towels hanging in there, but still low humidity...
I envy the way your leaves cure!

 

[workhorse_01]

I know knucks, My sand lugs (Mud this year) aren't yellowing. It's just too much humidity, with all this rain!

Gosh darn it! 99% humidity right now. Will be 82% at 6:00 am. I may have to move all my curing leaves inside the house at night. This is a bugger.

 

[bonehead]

it's been real wet and humid here so i turn on the heater for a couple of hours in the shut up tight shed in the morning and the humidity drops because of the dry heat and warm air can hold a lot more moisture so they yellow up in two or three days. it's been working so far with out to much worring. when or if it dries up during the day i open the doors and windows. my tobacco shed is well insulated and double walled though. usually i have to run a hermidifier atomizer so it won't dry out to fast and stay green. i also leave an oscilating fan on when i close up the shed.

 

[BarG]

That'll make your pooper pucker!

You got that right. You couldn't have pulled a wet noodle out of my nether regions they were drawn up so tight.

Okay Knucks, thats more info than we needed, I was trying to eat my breakfast!

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I'll set aside some silver river seeds for you from 2012.