TMButler’s Grow Blog

[deluxestogie]

Tobacco is not an "acid loving plant". pH of 5.8 to 6.4 usually works well for most varieties. Locate a Southern States store nearby, and pick up some Low Chlorine 10:10:10 vegetable fertilizer (house brand) for your planting bed. The little babies will survive just fine without any mystical experiences or specialized fertilizer for a few weeks.

I would be inclined to clip the larger leaves, but that also will likely not matter. When you do put the dastardly peat pots into the ground, I would suggest that you use a sharp pocket knife to vertically score through the peat pot for the height of the pot, in several places. Break off any upper rim that might extend above the garden soil, to prevent the pot remaining desiccated, which would retard root penetration.

There is no magic here. Tobacco is a weed. (A very nice weed!) Just keep them alive long enough for them to meet the real world. So far, you are doing great.

Bob

 

[Oldfella]

I agree with Bob. I've planted a lot worse than yours and they've been fine. Don't stress out about it.
Oldfella

 

[tmbutler]

Tobacco is not an "acid loving plant". pH of 5.8 to 6.4 usually works well for most varieties. Locate a Southern States store nearby, and pick up some Low Chlorine 10:10:10 vegetable fertilizer (house brand) for your planting bed. The little babies will survive just fine without any mystical experiences or specialized fertilizer for a few weeks.

I would be inclined to clip the larger leaves, but that also will likely not matter. When you do put the dastardly peat pots into the ground, I would suggest that you use a sharp pocket knife to vertically score through the peat pot for the height of the pot, in several places. Break off any upper rim that might extend above the garden soil, to prevent the pot remaining desiccated, which would retard root penetration.

There is no magic here. Tobacco is a weed. (A very nice weed!) Just keep them alive long enough for them to meet the real world. So far, you are doing great.

Bob

Thank you for your comforting response, Bob! Lol
I don’t know why, but I feel like the plants should be sturdier or at least a smidge taller. Their stems are all rather flimsy looking but I’ll try to take comfort in everyone’s responses; they’re weeds and they’ll do just fine.....I hope...

 

[deluxestogie]

If you clip 1/3 to 1/2 of the length of the larger leaves, the stems will thicken, the nicotine from the roots will increase (above what a baby should have), and the roots will grow sturdier. One advantage of clipping the leaf is that at the time of transplant, they will be transpiring less water, and be less likely to wilt.

If you don't clip the leaves, the plants will still do fine. They are weeds.

Bob

 

[tmbutler]

It’s great to have friends that’ll help you pull through! Time was getting close and pockets were getting thin; struggled with raised box vs out and out tilling the yard and normally neither are cheap however when you’ve got a friend with a tractor and an extra bottle of bourbon that he loves.....
Planning on planting after the first week of May and then my second batch somewhere in the middle of June. Debating on testing the soil since it’s adjacent to a monstrous pine tree and I’ve got more compost to mix in to this fresh tilled surface. Also have corn going down in this section.

 

[skychaser]

I use miracle grow 24-8-16 at 1 tablespoon per gallon starting at 4 weeks and at every watering until planting. The urea in it is NOT a problem. This is my 12th year growing tobacco. If it were a problem I think I would know it by now.

Urea can be very detrimental to seed germination if in close proximity to a sprouting seed. High concentrations like 46-0-0 urea should be applied to the soil prior to planting and worked in. It should be 2 inches below and to the side of germinating seeds. If applied to the surface it can volatilize into ammonia quickly which can also damage plants. The adverse effects of urea fertilizers on seed germination and seedling growth in soil are due to ammonia produced through hydrolysis of urea by soil urease. This can be eliminated by the addition of a urease inhibitor to these fertilizers. Using any high nitrogen fertilizer improperly can damage plants. It is an excellent source of nitrogen when used properly. Using Miracle Grow with urea will not hurt your tobacco plants. Just follow the directions on the label.

 

[tmbutler]

Okay sorry it’s been more than a while. Keeping busy with you know- life. Looks like a couple of my rows are about ready for harvest. Planning on staking onto boards and hanging up in my back porch. I live in Richmond, VA and have a fan so humidity is not an issue. Posting a couple pics to share.

 

[Oldfella]

A very nice looking crop, well done.
Oldfella

 

[tmbutler]

Okay- well, I have a good friend of mine that grows commercially and he of course suggested I start priming the leaves. My personal life got too hectic which resulted in stalk harvesting everything. Let’s see how this goes…..