Cigar Birthing

[tzaddi]

[SIZE="4"]This Weeks Update[/SIZE]

This will be the final update for this little plant...

As you may have noticed I have transplanted it to a larger container. This was in preparation for it's journey back to the person that gave me the particular seed that this little fellow grew from. You may have also noted that a bug took a little bite out of it as well...no matter it is now large enough to survive a little meal.

If you want to find out where it ended up just click here to read all about the delivery.

I will be adding more photos as the growing season progresses but probably not from that plant unless I make it down to visit it at it's new home.

—Richard

[tzaddi]

[SIZE="5"]July Update[/SIZE]

It's been sometime since I last posted an update on this years crop. As those of you that have followed along know the tobacco plant that I was chronicling has a new home. The plants in these photos are mostly from a second planting. The only exception was a "volunteer" that seeded itself in my potted aloe vera. To date it has taken the lead, as of this morning, around 15 inches.

Yep, that's a pica pole.

Several days ago I noted some eaten plants. I can only assume some deer have acquired a taste for the young growth of the tobacco. So far they have seen fit to "trim" 3 plants.

Last year they did not touch them.

I will probably have to modify some tomato cages I have to protect them. I have plenty of starters still in pots to replace the damaged ones and there is plenty of time for the chomped ones to recover.

Here is a healthy untouched by my friends the deer.

Here is what can happen if you plant too many seeds and do not thin them. This is a shallow 12 inch pot. I have exerimented with removing clumps in the cool of the evening and then gently untagling the roots of some of the larger plants while floating them in a large pale of water. This allows the soil to separate and reduces tearing of the roots. From there I have successfully transplanted them into their own pots where they recover for a few days and end up going into the ground after some growth. I am also experimenting by planting the entire clump into the ground and see what happens.....

Here is one of my favorite terraced gardens. There are lots of stones around here amongst the sandy clay soil, riddled with quartz, it's gold country.

That's Sweet Grass to the left with Sunset Hyssop above it and White Sage to the right. The tobacco can be seen running the arc of the terrace.

So if you are in the neighborhood stop on by, we can roll one up and you can leave with a few potted tobacco plants ready for your backyard.

—Richard

[Moosecakes]

Wow, thats amazing Richard, beautiful garden, Good to see the special little plant turned out alright I can only hope that mine will reach that far.

- Tyler

[tzaddi]

[SIZE="5"]July 19 Update[/SIZE]

I realize that I may have lost most of the original audience on this thread but in the interest of continuity I offer this weeks update.

You may remember in our last episode the local deer population had developed a taste for smokeless tobacco.
The resulting fence has been effective. It is my hope that as the plants mature and the tender center growth is higher up on/in the plant and as the lower leafs become less tasty for the young bucks the threat will diminish. This would allow me to remove the fence thus improving the aesthetics as I gaze upon my garden for an evening smoke on the north deck.


The largest plant is now over 20 inches tall with the largest leaf 12" long by 6" wide.


The younger plants are catching up, this measuring device is about 20" long.




From the center you can see the new growth.

Well, I hope we can take this thread to harvest, for those of you that have an interest and are following along feel free to PM or post questions.

Until next time...

—Richard

[eriksson20]

beautiful Richard, just beautiful

Mikko

[havana_lover]

those look great brother, get er done!!!

[Cheeto]

wow I never knew they flowered like that. Very interesting

[Sawyer]

This thread is very interesting. Please make sure that you keep it updated.

[TRicker]

That is pretty amazing, definitely want to see more.

[field]

Very nice pics and great information, Robert. Thanks Keep us updated!

[hova45]

great post and thanks for the pics, it just makes you appreciate the tabaccy more

[nismo350z]

really awesome thread anxiously waiting for another update

[kjd2121]

Thanks Robert for the great updates. I will be growing tobacco next year.

[tzaddi]

[SIZE="4"]July 26th Update[/SIZE]

Well it has been a week since our last photo update and there has been some good progress. I've had to pull a few "suckers" off of the largest plant, those are little growth shoots that develop near the base of the plant. By removing them the plant can focus it's energies on the new growth at the top. I have also started to remove some of the lower leaves that are touching the ground, this should remove hiding places for little munching creatures and lets the plant focus on the newer sun leaves.

So here we go for the week.

The largest plant is nearly 33 inches tall, I had to move to a larger measuring device.


The larger leaves are around 14" long and 7" wide.


As you can see the center is lush and healthy, taking on a dark green appearance. The leaves are also starting to produce "little hairs" oozing sticky goodness.


Even the plants that got a later start are getting there, this one is nearly 18" tall.


As you can see the stalk where it goes into the ground is getting thick are readying itself to support those lucisous leaves.

[tzaddi]

The Sweetgrass and White Sage are good sentries for the tobacco


Still plenty of potted starters to give away, stop on by and pick one or two up.




Just to show you part of the drying process. The bottom leaves although not of much value taste-wise demonstrate how they turn from green to yellow and eventually brown if they are dried carefully and not to fast.

Well, until the next time....

—Richard