Flue cure variety info

[MRM]

Hey guys,
I've been reading and looking, but not finding what I seek.
I'm looking for info on the different varieties of Virginia (flue cure) to help choose which variety to grow.
I'm finding some info, but not anything that gives characteristics of different types.
Trying to decide what to grow for my first crop.
Can someone light the way?

 

[deluxestogie]

Glance through @skychaser's listing of tobacco seed (Northwood Seeds), and click on the variety names, to read the descriptions of the bright leaf offerings. If you have--or plan to build--a flue-cure chamber, then probably any variety of bright leaf will likely do well. I like Virginia Bright Leaf. If you're going on the cheap, Costello is said to sun-cure well, though I've never tried that.

Seriously, without a flue-cure chamber, you're not going to end up with actual "bright" leaf. Chamber plans are listed in the Index of Key Forum Threads (link in menu bar).

Bob

 

[MRM]

Glance through @skychaser's listing of tobacco seed (Northwood Seeds), and click on the variety names, to read the descriptions of the bright leaf offerings. If you have--or plan to build--a flue-cure chamber, then probably any variety of bright leaf will likely do well. I like Virginia Bright Leaf. If you're going on the cheap, Costello is said to sun-cure well, though I've never tried that.

Seriously, without a flue-cure chamber, you're not going to end up with actual "bright" leaf. Chamber plans are listed in the Index of Key Forum Threads (link in menu bar).

Bob

Thank you, I will read through that.

Yes I do plan on flue curing. I have a start on it but dont have all the parts yet.

I am a huge fan of virginia, in a pipe or cigarette. With what I am accustomed to, flue curing is a must.
Thanks again

 

[MRM]

I haven't found that site before. Exactly what I was looking for!!!

 

[deluxestogie]

If you are curious, the Oriental variety Prilep 66-9/7 flue-cures wonderfully.

Bob

 

[Charly]

I had the same questions when I begun growing my own. It's difficult to find some exhaustive list of varieties with their flavor/taste profile. So it's hard to know which strains to begin with.

One short answer would be : try a few different strains. Each one has something unique and some are very different from one to another (even in the same "type", such as "bright leaf" for example).

From my little experience, I can say that the resulting tobacco depends on the climate / soil / watering / fertilization / light / year / cultivation methods / ripeness at harvest time / curing methods / kilning.....
That's why I often try new strains to see what they give in MY garden.

P.S. I have not tried to flue cure my virginia yet (I air/sun/rajangan cure it), so I can't help you on this point.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I agree with Charly in that tobaccos will have differences, perhaps owing to the conditions in our own gardens.

But just to contribute my personal experience. Of the varieties I have grown, Costello Negro and the American varieties were a little sweeter than I would like, while the ex-soviet varieties were not sweet enough, and the one Canadian variety was perfect. My theory: I actually suspect that the balance in the Canadian one came from the fact that it's against the law for cigarette manufacturers to put air-cured tobacco in cigarettes in Canada--a process that would balance out the sweeter American tobaccos. Either that, or growing up here, that's just the taste I developed an expectation for.

Edit: The best black cavendish I've ever made is from air-cured frog eye orinoco.

 

[MRM]

Thanks for the replies.

Costello keeps popping up on my radar so it will be one I try.

I was able to determine a few I'm interested in by reading through northwest seeds info.

I'm kinda interested in the Russian.

Think I'll try the prilep as I have a friend that would love it if I dont.
I found a few other Virginia's of interest as well.
African red, cherry red, Del Gold, virginia bright leaf, costello and helena are really getting my attention.
Might need to try some Maryland 609 too.

Come on spring time.

 

[MRM]

If you are curious, the Oriental variety Prilep 66-9/7 flue-cures wonderfully.

Bob

I have never had an oriental before. What is the taste profile?

 

[burge]

Now is the time to take advantage of the sale and try it out. What do you smoke? I know there are lots of strains and if you look at seed varieties it will tell you what type of leaf and tobacco taste you will get. Most go for Virginian Gold and Canadian seed strains.

 

[MRM]

Now is the time to take advantage of the sale and try it out. What do you smoke? I know there are lots of strains and if you look at seed varieties it will tell you what type of leaf and tobacco taste you will get. Most go for Virginian Gold and Canadian seed strains.

I am on a virginia only diet.
In my pipes I love Capstan blue, SG Full Virginia Flake, SG BBF, C & D Opening Night.

Just received orders from WLT: canadian lemon, bright, double bright and red.
I like all of them.
Last 3 years have smoked D & R's canadian blend.

I took the advice of @deluxestogie in post #2 and visited Northwest seeds and found just what I was looking for.

I couldn't make up my mind so I ordered big gem, va bright leaf, cherry red, costello negro, and del gold.

 

[Charly]

There are sooooo many strains to try... It's always hard to make a choice.
Good luck with your grow.

 

[burge]

I am familiar with D&R since they moved to pipe tobacco its not as good I smoked Penhooker. It was exactly like Players. Mark Ryan has good tobacco. I know its about the price per pound and he used a Canadian tobacco in 60% of the blend. I liked The Three Sails too. A lot of people find whole leaf a waste of time when its 18 dollars a pound. As you noticed though this tobacco is better. Bright leaf for me is sometimes really good and what I would expect to be a lemon and other years its a little bit of a higher stalk and stronger. As long as the tobacco is basically yellow I will like it.

 

[MRM]

Penhooker is what I used, i found three sails to be kinda harsh and i didn't like the fine shred. I feel like Mark Ryan has a pretty good baccy, but I am really intrigued by whole leaf and how good it is plus knowing what I'm smoking.
I will be very glad when the next growing season arrives. I cant wait to start growing my own and now that I have room to do so it's on.
I'm planning on 100 or so plants, might grow only 1 variety might grow all 5. I also got some Maryland 609 seed, but I'll only plant a few of those.

 

[burge]

Penhooker is all virginia. Its Canadian with a bit of a darker virginia. I have come close using Big Bonners tobacco and WLT. I used his yellow the older lemon and some of the orangey bright leaf.

 

[MRM]

I have red, bright, double bright and canadian lemon on hand.
I have been trying the red, bright and double individually with the lemon as a base.
I've tried many different ratios and everyone of them have been great. Really nice to be able to customize a smoke.

 

[burge]

The beauty of leaf this is the good stuff

 

[burge]

Just started with some Canadian lemon. I will tell you that leaf your going to have to buy. A leaf will come close to it but not exactly. I have made a players blend.. I know penhooker is about 20 bucks a bag I like the Three Sails. If there is a sale you can get it for 18 bucks for a pound bag. A lot of people have said its not as good as it used to be when they changed the compliance law from ryo to ryo pipe cigarette tobacco. Mark Ryan bought up all the perique and has been known to source WLT for tobacco. If Anyone is out there and runs out of leaf and they can get D&R they will be surprised. Marks business policy is to get everyone into quality tobacco cheap. WLT tobacco is in my opinion better.