Fisherman's grow blog; Port Lavaca Texas ,Gulf coast

[Fisherman]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

I think it's a very hard thing not to overwater a tobacco plant in a rain-gutter system ... Larry Hall who invented this system did so because he wanted to plant tobacco in his main veggie growing ground. I don't understand this fully - so don't take what I say as gospel ... but tobacco traditionally doesn't like wet roots - and once the roots get to the bottom of the tubs then they will be wet even if they only take water as needed.

Are your plants only in this system until they are ready to go out, or is this the plan for the whole grow?

The pics right above are in the 5 gallon buckets already. Not styrofoam cups like they appear

Good question and information..................

Well the following is complete opinion:

1] Tobacco is grown hydrophonically.. This to me means it can be done.

2] "Wet feet" in regular soil most likely would not work where pure water culture does work. This to me means that the "soiless mix's" that are used maintain their air structure and resist soil compactness more than garden soil..... Thus allowing more wetness in soil.

3] I do not own a moisture meter but this week as soon as check gets here will get one with long probe and start monitering the soil in the buckets.

4] I am growing in buckets because I live at a car lot and don't like the soil frankly. And am renting. I will drain the systems in the event water is the culprit and water topside from there on out. I was hoping to be able to dose the plants and naturally produce more per square foot......... Maybe even win the Nobel Peace Prize or something...

Naw, I just want to have some fun and get that good feeling you get when things go your way and you get to stick it to the man a little.......

5] My original germination flats are thriving and totally neglected till they wilt [ in the expandable peat pots still] and are bright green. And my solo cups are doing better as well when allowed to dry between soakings.

Squeezy.............. I really don't know what will happen til it happens I guess

I do know I need to keep better records and am settling on one soil mix for remainder of crop. Will do 54 more buckets and 200 grow bags I am hoping ..
This is my first year and I started under pressure and totally unprepared..... I am settling down and should have an idea what to do next year and do it in the ground..... Of course I will still grow a few in buckets in case I fail at the regular planting thing. My soil here tho is total gumbo muck now.

Mr FMGrowit says add Epsom salts and call him in 3 days so that is what I will do in the morning

What I dont know and the messes I get into mite help someone later is all I am doing other than socializing with a group of good fellas.

Mike

 

[squeezyjohn]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

Mike - that's the perfect answer!

Kudos to you for the pioneering spirit. And you're right - whether you succeed or fail - you are providing the answers for those who go after you ... and I suspect the epsom salts will sort your current problem out. Thank you for preparing the groundwork!

I personally am amazed at Larry's raingutter system - and although I usually favour the "sticking it in the ground and see what happens" method, here in the UK there's loads of things we need to use a greenhouse or polytunnel to protect from our horrible climate - and the problem with cover is that it stops the rain getting to the ground to naturally water the ground. I've been trying to perfect the "self-watering" greenhouse for years - and if I can get Larry's gutter system to work with a gravity fed rainwater tank supplied with water collected from the roof itself then I think it's a great solution.

I was mainly thinking about peppers, tomatoes and melons, but if it works with tobacco too then we here in the UK will be able to seriously consider extending our growing season at both ends - and not have to water by hand all the time!

Thank you - I will be following with great interest!

Squeezy

 

[Fisherman]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

4-12-13:

Plants with yellow has stopped... Other issues were predictable and stemming from no fertilizer yet.
Mix #3 is fertilizer weak [it had no compost other than composted wood chips or manure] and 1-2 and 4-5 are fine in major fertilizer needs... Still the addition of the epsom salts and possibly later the lime will help.

ALSO...................... the same batch of plants in the solo cups are needing nitrogen badly BUT have been allowed to dry well between watering and wilt less than the big green leaves.

I am not sure if it is natural for greener and bigger leaves to wilt more BUT I think it has to do with the buckets being wetter..............

Have pulled the water from the troughs and need to figure which material to cut in future mixs to allow better drainage. I think the peat but the wood chips also hold water. Might totally cut out vermiculite and pearlite to save expence also.
=========================
GREENS GONE

WILTING MORE OF THE DARKER LEAVES THAN LIGHTER ONES

SAME PLANTS IN SOLO CUPS ARE IN NEED OF FERTILIZER BUT WILTING LESS THAN THEIR MATES IN THE BUCKETS THAT WERE TREATED BETTER AND ARE MORE FERTILIZED

 

[Knucklehead]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

It's natural for tobacco to wilt during the heat of the day and stand back up at night. How do they look in the early morning?

 

[Fisherman]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

They all look great:

Fair
75°F
24°C

• Humidity36%
• Wind SpeedSE 15 mph
• Barometer29.90 in
• Dewpoint47°F (8°C)
• Visibility10.00 mi

Last Update on 12 Apr 4:15 pm CDT

Low humidity isnt helping.... Is weird tho that the fertilizer deficient ones in small cups are more errect.... As mentioned they are more drought hardened.... Will see what next few days with no water does to big buckets and post results.

 

[Fisherman]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

4-15-13:
Planted 37 more grow bags.

Mix #6:
1 part peat [2 buckets]
1 part of the "barky" compost [2 buckets]
1 part Happy Cow manure and compost [2 buckets]
dubble handfull hydrated lime
super good handfull epsom salts
super good handful iron stuff

Got price down to $1.65 a bucket.

Wattered in with miracle gro transplant stuff.

Got some leaves already over a foot long too.. Plants wont get any water if it rains I think ...... all bucket is covered with leaves

Still waiting on moisture meters and have 1 gutter still drained and some water and stuff in other today and watered all a little from top.... Bark was drying pretty well 4" down

 

[Knucklehead]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

Foot long leaves already? Man, you're kicking ass and taking names. You sure are setting the bar mighty high. I've been trying to catch up and pass leverhead, but damn. Go man go.

 

[Fisherman]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

They all humped up tho. not a flat foot

 

[AmaxB]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

Looking great to me Fisherman am following this thread even if I don't say much. I like that your giving detailed information.... is helpful.

 

[Webby]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

Looking great to me Fisherman am following this thread even if I don't say much. I like that your giving detailed information.... is helpful.

Ditto to that.
Nice one Pescatore

 

[Fisherman]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

looks like your doing fine for this being your first grow,

and good job you did on seperating them, they look perfect,

i'd suggest you grow more than just one strain, your gonna want at least 3 more types of bacca to mix with that bright-leaf,for the perfect cigg,

perhaps a burley, and a turkish blend, '' id suggest bursa or ottoman'' [ for the turkish ]

very good for cigg blending,

I think I need to try other strains for my blend as you suggest. Where is best place to get reliable seeds? I saw one place that sold hybrids and I dont want that. Think I will have enuff time to start and grow out left in year?

 

[Fisherman]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

I think it's a very hard thing not to overwater a tobacco plant in a rain-gutter system ... Larry Hall who invented this system did so because he wanted to plant tobacco in his main veggie growing ground. I don't understand this fully - so don't take what I say as gospel ... but tobacco traditionally doesn't like wet roots - and once the roots get to the bottom of the tubs then they will be wet even if they only take water as needed.

Are your plants only in this system until they are ready to go out, or is this the plan for the whole grow?

Squeezy......... I got to thinking about your remark and the water requirements for tobacco and thought of float system as well.... Basically I am thinking that the gutter system is just a big float system??????

I have received a moisture meter and will be monitering the systems steadier and see which does best......... A regular gutter system with water and a control one with top watering and maybe one with a flush and go type method IF the medium will absorb fast enuff [ flood system then drain and let dry]

Is really wild how quickk the plants react to anything done to them or for them

 

[Fisherman]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

4-16-13:
I am already pulling suckers.. Is this normal for a 2 month old plant? Some were 6" long and 2 leaves.

 

[indianjoe]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

I've never had any sucker until after blooming.

 

[deluxestogie]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

4-16-13:
I am already pulling suckers.. Is this normal for a 2 month old plant? Some were 6" long and 2 leaves.

Some years, my suckers start early, sometimes late. This varies with variety, with light cycle, and with conjunctions of the stars. N. rustica varieties seem to have a stronger tendency to sucker.

Whenever it happens that suckers appear, just wait for them to become large enough to remove without damaging the tender stalk of the main plant.

Bob

 

[Fisherman]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

I've never had any sucker until after blooming.

What kinda breed you raise? Mine are virginia brightleaf

 

[workhorse_01]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

One sucker will sucker from two months on

 

[squeezyjohn]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

One sucker will sucker from two months on

How many suckers does it make?

 

[workhorse_01]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

Too many to count. The name must stand for the last one that you break off. I will tell ya that it looks like lizard tail so don't expect wide leaves but it is thick leaved and is good for snuff or chew. I've aged my last years crop in chicken feed sacks and if you grab a hand full it smells like taylors pride or levi garrett without doing anything to it. It air dries very well.

 

[Fisherman]

Re: Fisherman's grow blog

4-17-13:
Planted 42 more grow bags.

Mix #6:
1 part peat [2 buckets]
1 part of the "barky" compost [2 buckets]
1 part Happy Cow manure and compost [2 buckets]
dubble handfull hydrated lime
super good handfull epsom salts
super good handful iron stuff

will post pics later...... Is supposed to rain tommorow and storm but still have one gutter dry and the other full of fertilizer and stuff
Total so far is 125 and will stop at 210 and maybe later start some other plants in oreintal or turkish and burley to play with. That One Sucker sounds good ... Would be good to add to brightleaf to smoke????