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Tobacco seeds and growing
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  1. #1

    Tobacco seeds and growing

    First of all, I posted this in a thread on the main forum, but I'll repeat it here. If you want some tobacco seeds, just pm me an address and I'll send them out.

    There is a wealth of info on growing and curing tobacco online, so I'll try to just hit the pickier points here.

    The seeds are teeny - smaller than sand. A pinch of seeds that germinate will produce years worth of tobacco.
    Tobacco is a member of the tomato, potato, pepper, etc family. If you can grow tomatoes where you are, you can grow tobacco.
    The seeds are sown on the TOP of some good potting soil. I use just a plastic meat tray from wally world, fill it about half full, and lightly scatter the seeds on top. You can't see them, so it's hard to tell how many you've done. Some people mix them with cornmeal in a salt shaker and sprinkle them on with that. Then cover the top completely with plastic wrap and put some newspaper over that, and put them in a sunny place. They need moisture, but direct sunlight will kill them. Check to be sure there is moisture condensing on the top of the wrap, but keep the newspaper over them. Once they germinate, they need warmth and sunlight, but again, not direct - the heat from direct sun will burn them up. The little plants are very fragile till they get established. When they have four leaves it's time to transplant them. I do this with a fork - very carefully. Some people have had good luck using peat pellets, but it didn't work well for me.
    They can be planted outside as soon as your weather maintains 40-45 degree days. Plant them about 2 foot apart, in a x x x pattern, and even then
    x x
    they'll be tight by the time they're ready to pick. When the bottom leaves start turning to yellow or brown, pick a few bottom layers from each plant. The leaves should be a foot or so wide and two foot long. By now, the plant will be well over 6' tall. Flowers will form on the top (hummingbirds love them) and an acorn sized bulb will form at the bottom of the flower. That's the seed pod. Each pod has hundreds of seeds, and there will be numerous pods on each plant. Only let the flowers grow on the plants you're saving seed from - it helps the leaves to get bigger in you pinch off the flowers on the rest. Continue picking from the bottom up till the leaves are just too small or frost hits, whichever. I pick weekly.
    It makes drying much faster if you crush the middle rib before hanging them to dry. This is time consuming and not much fun, but it helps. I string mine on galvanized wire in pairs, the leaves back to back, about an inch apart. When they're dark brown and crinkly, they're dry. You can smoke them at this point, but they're pretty harsh and smell funny.
    Curing the tobacco leaves takes away the bad smell and mellows the taste. There are only a couple requirements - high temp ( 100 degrees or higher), high humidity (80% is good) and air movement. A vent is good, too. I use an old dead freezer with a 100 watt light bulb, a pan of water on the bottom, and a teeny fan. My DH put a hole through the top for a pvc vent. The fan and water should be at the bottom, the light bulb wherever it fits, and the leaves hanging just like they were for drying. Because the leaves are so long I can only get two layers of two rows, so it's slow for me. Lower temp and lower humidity means a longer curing time, but they will cure. You can tell they're done when the bad smell quits coming out the vent. This is not something you do in the spare bedroom unless it's vented to the outside.

    Hope this helps some of you. If you have any questions, I've probably forgot some things, just yell. And, again, if you want some seeds just let me know.

    squeeks

    ps: tobacco is useful for more than just smoking. It is a great insecticide - boil some of the yucky or small leaves like a tea. Mix the water with a little dish soap and spray on plants.
    Some people feed a leave to their cows, horses, etc once a month and don't ever have to worry about worms. (oughta tell us something, huh?)
    And I feel better, if I HAVE to smoke, to at least be smoking something without the commercial chemical additives.

    forgot to mention, the seeds I send out are Virginia tobacco - it's about the best for cigarettes.
    Last edited by squeeksmom; 11-03-2004 at 07:12 PM. Reason: forgot something

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    30 miles south of Texarkana, Texas
    Posts
    14,061
    Thanks Squeeks. Just the first of many questions to come( ); How long will these seeds last in a ziplock baggie? If I get some in the mail soon; will they still be good for planting come spring? Will I need to do anything special to make sure they keep until then?

    Ok, ok, so I can't count. I'm a dumb country bumkin, ya know.
    You say "trigger-happy cowboy" as if it were a bad thing.

    "If they come a'huntin' me; they can consider themselves lucky if they*don't* find me!"

    No surrender; no retreat!

    If we fight, victory is not certain. If we do not fight, defeat surely is.

  3. #3
    They'll be good for years kept in the proverbial cool, dark place. I start mine in late February, but I have a REALLY short growing season here. They start slow, come to a slowdown when you transplant them, and again when you plant them out, till their roots gets re-established, so give them plenty of growing time.
    Ask all the questions you want - I know I missed a lot.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    1,206
    squeeksmom, I sent you a PM.

    Is growing your own tobacco legal as long as you don't sell it?
    ~tropicalfish~

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    The Great State Of Alabama
    Posts
    3,810
    I would love some seeds. I have tried in the past, but never got them to germinate. What's the trick. This year, I will have a nice grow light for them.

  6. #6
    bumping this back to waaaaaay up

    squeeks
    sic vis pacem, para bellum

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    OUT SIDE OF THE FALSE REALITY
    Posts
    3,939
    Need help with next stage



    Squeeksmom
    Thanks again, they are going to town out there. Now if you could please explain the next steps in this operation, would be very grateful

    1. Fertilization? what do they like? (I have rabbit pellets available) or epsom salt or Miracle Gro

    2. How to save the seeds like you did? and will the plant produce well if I save the seed or should I only do it on certain ones?

    3. After harvesting & hanging in the barn to dry (I am going to hang the leaves on hangers on rods ....not full plant hanging) what is next step or can I just leave them there to dry/age?

    4. Anything else you can think of
    Thanks for the chance to learn something new.
    JUST A FEW OF MY SIMPLE THOUGHTS


    LAY LOW WAIT LIKE A WOLF IN THE WILD UNTIL THE TIME IS RIGHT

  8. #8
    Yep, it is totally legal to grow up to 1/10th acre for your own use. Just don't try to sell the finished product -- fedgov gets testy when you cut in on their taxes.
    PilotFighter, the germination is the hardest part of it. They must have moisture and warmth. By covering them with plastic wrap it keeps moisture on the seeds and you can tell if you need to spritz them a little when you don't see condensation on the underside of the plastic. But the plastic must be covered with newspaper, or something similar, to filter out the burning rays of the sun. A grow light will be great, just make sure it's not too warm. Once the seedlings come up, you can remove the plastic wrap, and just spray gently with water when they need it, but still protect them from the hot sun.

  9. #9
    A couple of previous threads relating to tobacco growing

    http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showt...obacco+growing

    http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showt...obacco+growing

    I seem to recall several others in the archives as well, but didn't see them right off in my quicky search.

    .....Alan.

  10. #10
    Thanks, Alan, for posting those -- I don't know how. But I seem to recall they contain some good info.

    squeeks

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Everywhere they say I shouldn't be!
    Posts
    1,541
    HOLY SMOKES! The tobacco seeds arrived today and I am super thrilled! Thx Squeeks!
    [center][color=#800000][font=Comic Sans MS][b][i]"Each measure is passed without great trouble or violent public opposition because the average man does not see at the time, how it can possibly affect his own existence - the only thing he is really interested in. Then, one day, he awakens suddenly to realize all his rights and liberties are gone."
    [/i][/b] --- Ayn Rand, in a letter to the New York Herald-Tribune (February 9, 1937)[/font][/color][/center]

  12. #12
    Sage, glad they showed up - was worried after I read what you sent to booger - afraid you'd have to be harvesting at the P.O.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    The Great State Of Alabama
    Posts
    3,810
    Got mine today. WOW what a lot of seeds. Thank you so much. I got more from you than I did when I ordered $30 worth 3 years ago. Thanks again!

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Decking the halls with cows of folly
    Posts
    1,352
    Got mine yesterday. There are a billion of them in there! Thanks!!!

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Inland Northwest
    Posts
    26
    Got my seeds too. Thank you so much!! Really appreciate your time and effort to send them to me. You're Great. Thanks!

  16. #16
    You're all welcome!!
    BTW, something I wanted y'all to know - after reading something about this in another thread - your names and addresses were written down one time, on the envelope I sent you, and they have been deleted from my puter. Just a precaution, but if your seeds don't show up, you'll have to pm me again.

    squeeks
    sic vis pacem, para bellum

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    30 miles south of Texarkana, Texas
    Posts
    14,061
    Hey SqueeksMom, just wanted to let you know...I got my seeds also. Sorry for taking so long to respond, but I was in the woods hunting for Bambi. Or his Dad...or his brother. Heck, any deer with antlers. My freezer is about empty. And Bambi won again...so far.
    You say "trigger-happy cowboy" as if it were a bad thing.

    "If they come a'huntin' me; they can consider themselves lucky if they*don't* find me!"

    No surrender; no retreat!

    If we fight, victory is not certain. If we do not fight, defeat surely is.

  18. #18
    Jeez, caplock, if ya want, come on up. I have 4, 2 with antlers, that come to the back yard almost daily. They just come up to see if I've planted anything new yet. Once the ground is covered with snow, they'll stay away - know it's all over till spring.
    Glad you got the seeds. You'll probably be able to get yours seeded a lot earlier than most people - must be nice to live where it's warm.
    Take care. Hope you get a deer.
    squeeks
    sic vis pacem, para bellum

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Homesteading it in the Ozarks
    Posts
    3,311
    Thanks, Marsha, seeds recieved! looking forward to the spring for one more reason

    btw, in your experience, how long until maturity and harvest from seedling transplant would you guess? two months, three, or longer?

  20. #20
    LM: Where I am in MN, I can't even get the plants into the ground till the end of June - and your weather could be about the same. They seem to stop for a little while till they get used to being outside, then they grow quite fast. I start harvesting the bottom leaves about mid-August or so, then every couple weeks till frost.
    Glad the seeds made it - winter just setting in here, and I'm already looking forward to spring. sigh
    sic vis pacem, para bellum

  21. #21
    Seeds recieved. Thanks much!

    .....Alan.

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    behind you
    Posts
    1,143
    i got my seeds THNX sorry i'mlate in getting back to you.the new job has been keeping me hopping

  23. #23
    Glad everyone's seeds have shown up - if anyone wanted any and didn't get them, let me know.
    1dread: hope the new job is going good for you.

    NEXT: we'll talk about how to change huge, big-ribbed, pliable, sweet-smelling leaves into something smokable. Still working on an EASY way to shred the leaves, yet not turn them to powder. Works and smokes okay, just doesn't look professional. But at that price, why should I care, huh??

    squeeks
    sic vis pacem, para bellum

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Alabama, CSA
    Posts
    9,677
    squeeksmom, I got a letter in the mail from you today. The seeds look wonderful and I can hardly wait to plant them in the spring. I'm heading to my garden now and decide where they will go.

    Thanks so much!

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Alabama, CSA
    Posts
    9,677
    I planted half of my seeds on February 2 and they are sprouting. I started them in a seed greenhouse. I plan on starting the remaining ones for a late crop.

    I'm also waiting on some Havanna seeds to get started.

    I'm gonna roll me some cigars!
    Alabama - Independent Now and Forever - Noli Me Tangere

    The Confederacy - Fighting Terrorism Since 1861

  26. #26
    Great, rhughe13!! Sounds like it's working out just right.
    I'll be starting my seeds the end of this month - by the time they're ready to transplant, I'll have the greenhouse up, and by the time they're ready to go into the ground, I hope I'll have thawed ground to put them in. We don't normally put anything into the ground here until June 1. sigh

    squeeks

  27. #27
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Oklahoma
    Posts
    996
    http://www.coffinails.com/index.html

    I was getting ready to make a post on the main board about growing tobacco. Glad I checked here first and wish I would have checked here earlier. I am trying to get my first set of seeds germinated. I purchased them from the web site listed above. For $20 I got 200 seeds for 4 varities. It's a great site. Has a forum for people to ask questions and post pictures of what they are doing. Lots and lots of good info. What squeeksmom said sounds exactly what they say to do on this site.

    Anyway, I'm trying Virginia, Havana and Monte Calme Yellow. One thing they do say about saving seeds is that if you have more than one varity growing, be sure to cover the flowers on the plants that you plan to get seed from to keep from cross pollenation.

    They also have some plans for cureing boxes, and making cigars and snuff. The old fridge sounds like a good idea. I haven't figured out how I'm going to cure yet. Going to see if I can get the seeds growing first

  28. #28
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Burbank, California
    Posts
    2,062
    Dear squeeksmom,

    Thank you so much for the seeds! I will keep you posted on how I make out
    with growing them here in the "tropics" of the Twin Cities (laughing)!

  29. #29
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Frog Jump, CA
    Posts
    8,297
    Got mine started, thanks for the great home-school project and garden addition. The home-school liason nearly fainted when my son told her he was growing tabacco.
    Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail!

    Be a teacher by not showing what you can do, but by showing what the student can do.

    If you ever find yourself in a fair fight.............your tactics suck!!!


    Better to be a student of reality, than a master of illusion.

  30. #30
    Jumpy, that's funny! I guess it's a product most don't think about growing.
    I planted my seeds a week ago, I have little sprouts with two leaves yet, but in another couple weeks they should have four. Wild, I'm not sure what the problem is - remember they need sunlight to grow after they have sprouted, but not direct enough to burn them. I bottom water now, but the first year I just sprayed (and stood them up a lot). Is the room they're in fairly warm? Although my house stays in the 68-70 degree area. I also water with warm water. Are you using city water? Sometimes the chemicals in city water will cause problems. We have well water and that's fine, or store bought if you're on city. They're just so fragile at their starting that it's kinda a fine line - too much heat burns them and dries them, too much water and they wilt and rot. I did try covering some of mine this year with that Saran wrap that sticks when you press it - it's not totally clear and seemed to do a good job of filtering sunlight. Maybe try covering yours with something like that - more warmth without direct rays.
    Tobacco grows in stages. The seed sprouts and the leaves come. Then it takes some time for the roots to develop. Then you transplant them into bigger pots, and they go dormant again while they re-establish the root system. Then they start to grow again, just in time to put them in the ground, so they go to sleep again for a bit.
    I always get nervous right about this time, cuz it's so easy to lose them - they're up, but not strong. I act like a mother hen - cover, uncover, close blinds, open blinds, shield with my body if there's a draft.....
    Everyone please keep us informed how you're doing. I started another thread about how your tobacco is doing, so we can use this one or the other.
    Good luck to all. You can always pm if you need help.

    squeeks
    sic vis pacem, para bellum

  31. #31
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Ouachita Mountains
    Posts
    494
    A big BUMP and a great BIG THANK YOU to Squeeksmom for starting and then finding this thread.



    Malone

  32. #32
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    bol
    Posts
    3,210
    Bump again. I am going to try growing my own also. There is a lot of tobacco grown around here but you can't get seeds from anyone. They guard those like secret family recipes lol. So Squeeks you have a pm...

    She
    Being PC will be the death of us all yet!
    -----------------------------------------------------
    "But we've got to have faith or we have nothing. We have to have faith in our God, our resolve, our cause and our brother patriots."
    Black, Leo - The Last Stand on Earth.

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