Kretek Grow 2026

[ShiniKoroshi]

This will be my second year growing tobacco while Im enjoying what I grew last year. Little Dutch was made for Virginia tobacco and Ill drop some interesting history later in that section. But the big surprise was Japan8. Though it has a prominent licorice taste when air-cured, less so sun-cured, that totally changes after kilning for 8 weeks at 125°F and rested for another 8 weeks. The licorice aspect totally transforms into a deep cigar flavor that leans toward oriental flavor. Its wonderful and tastes a lot like the Clove cigars I buy today though not as deep as the commercial Kreteks I smoked in the 90's. Since I had some Sumatra and a small crop of Prilep I made a blend that is a very close match to what I smoke today.

The focus this year will be exploring Indonesian and Japanese tobacco varieties that are available. With that being said I started the following this month...
36 Ainaro
36 Florida Sumatra
72 Prancak 95
72 Canik

In the fall I plan on growing Okinawa, Prilep, Japan8 and Ege. I may swap one of these out for Suifu. One variety for each row and Im adding a row in the front yard.

Also in this thread I will discuss clove selection, casing and sauce. Hopefully by year's end this will be the best source for DIY Kreteks!

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

Too much light too soon and my seedlings wilted. Started again Mar 30.
Plan: Will thin these in a couple days and move into light slower for the second week. Then they go under 60% shade cloth for the next 4 weeks, then full sun for a week before planing.

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

Leaves clipped
Soil fertilized
Birb tested
Squirrel approved
Full sunned
Feels good man!


Shorter/thicker stems and better roots than last year. Last post I had fertilized at 1/4 strength using the no urea orchid fertilizer from big box store.
This time I used Peter's Peat Lite 20-10-20 from my stock tank. Instead of 1oz per gallon for approx 400ppmN Im using a teaspoon per half gallon which should get me about 150ppmN.
Ive always wondered, "does the salt concentration increases as water evaporates?"

Mixed up the last half pound of my Kretek blend from 2025. (Japan8, Prilep, Sumatra)
2026 will be much better!

 

[StoneCarver]

Ive always wondered, "does the salt concentration increases as water evaporates?"

A rule of thumb is: If you are seeing efflorescence on your soil surface, its likely the salt concentration is increasing but its not always clear what is actually contributing to the efflorescence. It may be the fertilizer being used or high mineral content in the water or the soil mix and amendments being used.

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

A rule of thumb is: If you are seeing efflorescence on your soil surface, its likely the salt concentration is increasing but its not always clear what is actually contributing to the efflorescence. It may be the fertilizer being used or high mineral content in the water or the soil mix and amendments being used.

I saw that a lot on my long standing semi hydroponic setups. Not really a concern at the moment but its something to contemplate when dosing your trays.

 

[StoneCarver]

I'm also not very concerned about salt build up in my trays of seedling plugs. They're in there for such a short period before being put outside that its not really an issue.
Now my cactus plants that are in the same pots and soil for years on end? Yeah, I watch out for it there.

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

I'm also not very concerned about salt build up in my trays of seedling plugs. They're in there for such a short period before being put outside that its not really an issue.
Now my cactus plants that are in the same pots and soil for years on end? Yeah, I watch out for it there.

Salt lick cactus? Have any butterflies come to puddle?

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

I put these back under shade after a day as we had hot, dry and bright conditions. Looks like the Ainaro and Sumatra (try on right) will be ready for hardening off in a week. Canik (left tray) is a couple weeks out and Prancak 95 somewhere in the middle. Guess I should dig some rows.

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

Below are some docs I've collected regarding Kreteks and Indonesian tobacco.

I also have a couple books to post but the file is too large. Is there something we can do to get these posted @deluxestogie ?

 

[deluxestogie]

Rather than uploading the books, simply provide the link to their source.

Bob

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

Thank you Bob, I'll take that as a no.