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First attempt at growing tobacco (Burley) need advice please.

deluxestogie

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Russian Article said:
"...temperatures above + 50 ° C can destroy the biological catalysts themselves, therefore, a constant temperature of + 45-50 ° C should be maintained."
INCORRECT
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"packages or glass jars should be disinfected with alcohol or vodka so that the tobacco does not grow moldy."
INVALID
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"One of the fastest fermentation methods... Prepared leaves are cut into strips of 2 mm and placed in glass jars. Then they are covered with a glass lid or saucer on top so that the moisture does not evaporate. The minimum power is set on the microwave panel. Heating is continued for 30 minutes, after which the cans are cooled. The heating process is repeated 3-4 times until the required aroma... In general, the process will take 5-6 hours. To prevent the tobacco from burning, it is stirred in the intervals between heatings."
NONSENSE
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I might suggest reading this forum instead. The microwave method, in particular, is cooking.

Bob
 

oldfellainspain

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Seems to have taken forever, but 50 days after topping, the Virginia plants are mature. Bottom leaves mottled yellow, top leaves have yellow tips and leaves have got an alligator skin texture.
I've put up a temporary, white tarpaulin, boxlike enclosure for colour curing. I had to go for white as this is this area that's best for reflecting sunlight onto the plants in the growing season. I've been experiment with towels in buckets and slightly opening and closing a side flap, and I can maintain 60-70% humidity relatively easily. Inside the box, the temperature ranges between 20º-28ºC in the day, to about 15ºC at night. Humidity goes up to 75% at night with the side flap wide open. If no one on the forum is in disagreement, I will do some studwork and make the box permanent. Please comment and/or advise.
 

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oldfellainspain

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I made the mistake of saying that keeping the RH steady was "relatively easy".
The last couple of days the average RH has been about 40% and I'm struggling to maintain 55% with wet towels in the tent. Is misting the stalk cut plants an option or a no no?
 

oldfellainspain

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A couple of days ago I decided that the temporary drying tent was just too "leaky" for want of a better word, so I decided to build a studwork frame for the tarpaulin. I dismantled an old timber bedframe rather than go and buy new timber, so total cost is €9 for the tarpaulin (I'm on a tight budget).
The result is far better than I hoped for. Just a couple of days practice and I can keep the RH just about right.
The door, when opened, together with the side panel, gives me a large reflective area that catches the morning sunlight which will hopefully help with my 2024 grow.
 

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oldfellainspain

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Although this thread was titled "first attempt at growing tobacco BURLEY need advice please" The VIRGINIA that was planted out a couple of weeks later was pretty much what the thread turned into. I've got seventy leaves inside now mostly drying a nice golden brown. The upper leaves are drying darker, which I understand is not unusual. I've got about another seventy leaves still to come in, hopefully over the next week or so. If I've got the patience, I'll leave them for a couple of months before seeing what they smoke like.
In the next couple of days I'll be starting my next grow. I'll start a grow log with plenty of photos and hope for plenty of help and advice as I go along.
Although the Burley was a disaster that could have been avoided if I had I read some of the many posts on soil, fertlizer, amount of sunlight etc. etc. I'm happy with the Virginia and have learnt a lot.
Thanks to everyone that commented and gave advice.
 

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oldfellainspain

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I did think that would be the last post on this thread, but I am asking one more piece of advice please.
The last 20 leaves to come inside have patches of green that are not yellowing, but the leaf in general has turned brown. They are still moist, so I've put them in a cardboard box for a couple of days, just to see if the green tinges will disappear. I've taken a couple of photos with light behind to hopefully show the green. I can't really see any difference after two days in the box.
My question is.... Do I hang them to dry now, or give them more time in the box, or bin them?
 

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oldfellainspain

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Try a bit of direct sun exposure. That may breakdown the chlorophyll. Even without a kiln, time works wonders. And nothing is more satisfying than testing your own home-grown tobacco.

Bob
Thanks Bob. I think I can afford to do that. Most of the leaves have dried really well, but it would be a shame to lose these last few leaves. At least later on when I try the first few smokes I can do a comparison.
 

oldfellainspain

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Try a bit of direct sun exposure. That may breakdown the chlorophyll. Even without a kiln, time works wonders.

Bob
Good advice Bob. A few days in weak sunlight and then just brought indoors. All leaves are now looking good. 155 leaves in total, happy with this result for a first grow. With cool overnight temperatures, even indoors, the leaves go in and out of case on a daily basis. I'm not having any mould problems so far.
Do I de-rib and store them, or just leave them hanging? What's best for aging?
 

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deluxestogie

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Do I de-rib and store them, or just leave them hanging? What's best for aging?
That depends entirely on your climate. I often leave cured stalks hanging in my shed until I need to make room for the following seasons harvest. I usually do not stem the leaves, but simply wait for them to come into case naturally, then stuff them into large plastic bags. These I bring indoors, and leave open until they are dry. These bags go into large boxes for physical protection. Eventually, I kiln them, batch by batch.

Bob
 

NewTobaccoGrower

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It's difficult to determine the size of the leaves from the photographs. I agree that they are spindly. Commercial, shade-grown tobacco uses only 40% shade cloth, and that causes the plants to grow to double their natural height (though with the same number of leaves).

For burley, I would be inclined to go with a larger container, water well each morning—if they seem to be drooping at that time. Grow in full sun, and just keep up with the water. Just avoid water-logged soil.

I have grown Baldió Vera tobacco here in Virginia. If tobacco can grow in the Extremadura, then surely it can handle the coast.

Good luck with your growing (and your marriage).

Bob
This is an old thread but couldn't help noticing-- are you a Hokie too? I've moved from Va to WV now, and haven't tried growing in WV yet but it's good to know that it grows well in your neck of the woods-- it should do fine in mine. A little to the north but probably comparable elevation.
 
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