Kretek Grow 2026

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!

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.