2026 Perique'n Out

[WillQuantrill]

Can't get any earlier March 1st, a little past midnight and my seed cells are sewn. Used 1/2 MG seed starter and 1/2 worm casings as I did last year as cell media. Ya might say I was excited to get this season kicked off as I filled and watered the cells earlier today to give the soil a chance to soak in the lightly fertilized water. Alot of pre planning and research has gone into this year's objective which is to replicate the orthodox Perique from seed I obtained from @skychaser to the fermented end product so many of us are familiar with. I still have the 2.5 gallon charred white oak barrel I purchased last April I intend to ferment in and making good use, it still has 1 lb of Red Burley aging inside since, almost 11 months at this point at 65% RH. I seeded 4 trays for a total of 44 cells leaving 1 cell empty in each for easier watering. 22 Perique and for simplicity's sake 22 Corojo. From my notes last year I recalled I only have room for 38 plants so this gives me wiggle room for a couple non productive seed cells. I do believe the Corojo will be the first variety I have grown again in my 4th year growing. The first time growing it proved to be highly productive in my environment and I look forward to using skill I've gained since 2023 to produce a high quality cigar leaf. My first time growing Corojo it reached about 7 feet tall and producing leaf that was quite large as well. Its day 7 since sending in my soil test kit so I expect to get results sometime this week. Here is to a productive 2026 grow year!

 

[WillQuantrill]

Approximately 90 hours of covered darkness on a heat mat and I spotted my first sprouts. From years past I have learned to turn off the heat mat and turn the light on lower setting open up the dome vent. The heat mat in conjunction with the light just grows algae in the cells. Once I see a good number of sprouts pop up Ill take the dome off altogether. First picture is Corojo second is Perique.

 

[WillQuantrill]

9 days of planted seeds and sprouts are popped! Have a couple thin cells but it'll be OK. I can transfer some sprouts when I thin the herd in a couple days. First Picture is Corojo second is Perique.

 

[WillQuantrill]

14 days of seed in cells, and I found some time throughout the week to cull out the weak seedlings and watered once without food. Corojo is slightly advanced in size and Perique showing a relatively few leaves that are showing yellowish signs. Quite a soggy week outside which is good for the Prilled Sulphur I spread out to soak in. Otherwise no real dirt work started yet. Plan is to till March 28 provided its not too wet 1st pic is Corojo Second is Perique.

 

[The Haroo ln]

I planted corojo 99 last year for the first time. They were very, very slow starters but omce in the ground they took off. After around 75 ish days each plant had around 22-26 useable leaves on it. I found it to be a Very productive havana variety in terms of yield

 

[WillQuantrill]

Found a picture of last time I grew this Corojo, supposedly the OG strain that was used to hybrid into Corojo 99. My now 3 year old daughter was 8 months old, I was about 25 lbs heavier and the Corojo was around 7 ft tall. My garden was alot smaller and overgrown. Ha. This probably deserves another picture in same pose this July.

 

[Tutu]

Definitely worth a re-create! Impressive plant as well!

 

[WillQuantrill]

3 weeks exactly since seed, and I always enjoy being surprised by performance. I dont know what has happened in the last 2 days but my Perique leaves have grown substantially. It appears I will be trimming them back before Corojo. Up until the last couple days I was beginning to believe the Perique was just a little slower growing. No dirt work in the garden yet, plan on squeezing in some quality time in the yard next weekend to get everything up to snuff. First picture is Perique second is Corojo.

 

[MadFarmer]

I'm jealous. My start this year has been maddening:
Week 1 - Feb 28th


Week 5 - Mar 22:

I've pricked out seedlings from the tubs multiple times but they can't seem to find purchase. The seed starting mix seems to retain too much water, or be too chunky, I'm not sure which. I'd tear my hair out if I had any.

 

[WillQuantrill]

I'm jealous. My start this year has been maddening:
Week 1 - Feb 28th

View attachment 59054
Week 5 - Mar 22:
View attachment 59056
I've pricked out seedlings from the tubs multiple times but they can't seem to find purchase. The seed starting mix seems to retain too much water, or be too chunky, I'm not sure which. I'd tear my hair out if I had any.

Weird, dont know if this helps out at all but when I get a feeling the cells are waterlogged I let completely dry with help from a small fan then slowly water. Does the seed starter have any plant food in it? I water my cells first round with a half dose of fertilizer as well.

 

[WillQuantrill]

4 weeks after seed and it was a busy day on the Tobacco front. I tilled the whole garden and up-potted the sprouts. Used the same media as I used in the cells but I did purchase so trays/cells at a smaller size (2.8" square) so I could fit them all under the lights in a uniform fashion. Last year I used 4" circular pots which took up so much room I had to leave 2 small seed cells without up-potting and try to transplant from there. Pretty satisfied with the current arrangement, square cells being more space efficient I can try for all 44 seedlings to make it to transplant. Have 3-4 little guys that seem to be struggling but let's see what they do in their new cell. Final number on amendments in the dirt before till was 6 lbs of Prilled Sulphur, 18 bags of Black Kow. Ill wait till closer to May 1 to put down weed mat. My early forecast for this season: setting a new high for total yield.

 

[deluxestogie]

That's a lot of Black Kow! I think I used 20 bags during my max grow year, back in 2013 or 14. It's a chore just to cut open a bag and dump it out.

Bob

 

[WillQuantrill]

That's a lot of Black Kow! I think I used 20 bags during my max grow year, back in 2013 or 14. It's a chore just to cut open a bag and dump it out.

Bob

It would have been alot easier if my kids were old enough to run a garden rake! 18 bags smoothed out to about 2" cover across the tilled area.

 

[WillQuantrill]

35 days in, and this week brought minor adversity. After up-potting the Corojo started showing signs of over watering. Some leaves were spotted yellow and some "frenching".
Interesting that only the Corojo showed adverse reaction. But, I turned on my small fan pointed at both trays low speed, turned the lights up to 100% and let the cells dry. I did water Friday with 2 tsp Epsom Salt to 1 gallon of water but adding about 1 1/2 qt to each tray. Overnight showed signs of improvement. At this stage it looks like I have 4 (2 each variety) dud cells bringing the total viable transplants to 40 which is very satisfying in my mind. I will say the Perique is starting strong. Perique on the left Corojo on the right.

 

[WillQuantrill]

6 weeks from seed, not a whole lot to report. The weather has been pretty soggy so no dirt work being done outside. You cant tell by the pictures but 3-4 days ago I trimmed leaves aggressively may let these guys get a little more height before I trim again.