Pasi's Grow Log 2026

[Pasiasiainen]

Time to start my first full-season grow log. There are many things to think about before getting started.

This year I want to:

• Learn how to grow different cigar varieties
• Try shade growing and (hopefully) succeed
• Figure out how to kiln different types of cigar leaves
• Roll a decent cigar
• Learn how to grow oriental tobacco and how to sun-cure it
• Start seedlings that are sturdier than last time

My biggest issues at the moment are:

1. lack of space in my garden, and
2. fairly limited curing space.

I can fit only 18 larger plants in my garden, plus maybe 5–8 smaller ones, and possibly a few in containers. With my current garden layout, I can fit only three plants for shade growing. If I'll grow in my garden, I think I have to pick just 3-4 varieties to grow.
I also have the option to move all or part of my tobacco operations to my friend’s old farm, where I could have my own 10 × 10 m growing plot. The downside is that the farm is a 25-minute drive away, so it would require some extra effort. We’ll see how this goes.

I have acquired new seeds, and my current selection is listed below, but I don’t yet know what I will eventually grow. I do know that I will grow Samsun Maden, as I need some oriental tobacco for my pipe blends. When it comes to cigar varieties, I haven’t yet made a decision. This year, I am not growing anything that needs to be flue-cured.

The funny thing is that I’m not a cigar smoker at all, so I really have no idea what kind of cigars I should be aiming for, or what can be done with these varieties I’m simply very interested in all aspects of growing, processing, and rolling. That said, I do plan to gain some basic knowledge about cigars (with help from my cigar-smoking friends) in the coming months before the season starts. Bob’s book is also on the way - heck, it might even be in my mailbox while I’m writing this, so I’d better go and check after I’ve posted.

I also expect to build some new structures this year - at least something for shade growing, and a larger, custom-sized curing tent.

Luckily, there are still about 65 days to figure things out before the game begins.

Seed collection (intended use):

Corojo 99 (Wrapper)
Little Dutch (Wrapper/ Filler / Pipe)
Dominican Republic Olor (Filler)
Havana 501 (Filler)
Piloto Cubano DR (Filler)
Connecticut Shade (Wrapper)
Habano 2000 (Wrapper/Filler)
Little Yellow (Filler / Pipe)
Samsun Maden (Pipe)
Perique (Pipe)

// Pasi

 

[Pasiasiainen]

A set of grow lights arrived. Hopefully these will solve my leggy seedling problem. These are Barrina T5 3000K Full Spectrum lights.
I have seen comments here that lights should be just few inches above the seedlings, but Barrina recommends a distance of about 12 inches. I’m not sure which one is more accurate… maybe I'll go something in between.

 

[Pasiasiainen]

Spring is coming fast here up north but still few weeks to go before planting seeds. Dark winter months are perfect for building stuff, so I built a bit more fancy wooden grow light stand. Hope this helps to get sturdier seedlings than last year.



I think I am going to grow these varieties this year:

• Corojo 99
• Piloto Cubano DR
• Dominican Olor
• CT Shade (Shade grown, large raised bed)
  
  
• Samsun Maden (Container)
• Little Dutch

I still I have very little knowledge of cigar varieties or their specific characteristics, or what would be the smartest mix to grow to get decent blends with some variety. I guess I’ll just go with this combination and see how it goes. I’ll also grow Samsun Maden and Little Dutch for pipe blends.

Made some plans how to plant this year. My backyard has very limited space, so I’ll have to settle with only 3-4 plants per variety. I still have to figure out where to grow Little Dutch.

 

[johnny108]

Nice light stand!
Little Dutch does very well in containers.

 

[Pasiasiainen]

Nice light stand!
Little Dutch does very well in containers.

Oh, good to know. I’ll might then switch Little Dutch to containers and try to find some place for Samsun. Thanks Johnny!

 

[Pasiasiainen]

Finally - the game is on. About 8 weeks until last frost date and the moment I have been waiting for is here: time to sow the seeds.

I was thinking to make some fancy potting soil mix, but eventually ended up using same stuff as last year (potting soil from Biolan), as everything went fine with that last time. I broke the soil up as finely as possible by hand and picked out bits of twigs and roots. I thoroughly watered the soil and then filled the tray cells with it.

This year I went with a tray that has slightly larger cells to avoid having to repot the seedlings later on. Hope the cells are big enough. As a backup I put seeds also on coffee filters just in case something goes wrong with seeds on the soil.
Placed everything under the grow lights, lights just above the plastic dome of the tray. Here we go again!

 

[JungleGhost]

Blessings and good luck friend!

 

[Pasiasiainen]

After 5 days, most of my seeds are sprouting nicely… except my Dominican Olor, which isn’t showing even the slightest sign of life. Wondering should I wait or start another variety?

 

[deluxestogie]

If any of the Olor seeds are starting to look pointed or have swollen, then I would wait. Germination may take as long as 3 weeks, but usually less than 2 weeks.

Bob

 

[Pasiasiainen]

Ok, I’ll check if I can see anything like that happening. Thanks Bob!

 

[WillQuantrill]

Spring is coming fast here up north but still few weeks to go before planting seeds. Dark winter months are perfect for building stuff, so I built a bit more fancy wooden grow light stand. Hope this helps to get sturdier seedlings than last year.

View attachment 58973 View attachment 58974 View attachment 58975 View attachment 58976

I think I am going to grow these varieties this year:

• Corojo 99
• Piloto Cubano DR
• Dominican Olor
• CT Shade (Shade grown, large raised bed)
  
  
• Samsun Maden (Container)
• Little Dutch

I still I have very little knowledge of cigar varieties or their specific characteristics, or what would be the smartest mix to grow to get decent blends with some variety. I guess I’ll just go with this combination and see how it goes. I’ll also grow Samsun Maden and Little Dutch for pipe blends.

Made some plans how to plant this year. My backyard has very limited space, so I’ll have to settle with only 3-4 plants per variety. I still have to figure out where to grow Little Dutch.
View attachment 58977

As you seem to be fairly organized I am anticipating seeing your shade net operation, good luck to ya.

 

[The Haroo ln]

I'll second bob on that. Last year my corojo 99 and piloto seeds took almost 3 weeks before showing even the slightest signs of popping. I would wait. Tobacco requires a lot of patience

After 5 days, most of my seeds are sprouting nicely… except my Dominican Olor, which isn’t showing even the slightest sign of life. Wondering should I wait or start another variety?

View attachment 59165 View attachment 59166

 

[Pasiasiainen]

I think I was just so surprised how fast the other seeds sprouted and immediatelly thought that there might be something wrong with Olor.
Checked the seeds just a second ago and to my eye there seems to be something positive happening! Only with one seed though, but that's better than nothing

 

[Pasiasiainen]

First thinning day. I left about 5–8 seedlings per cell. Olor germination is much slower than my other varieties, but they seem to be slowly catching up.
I removed the plastic domes and lowered the grow lights to about 8 cm above the seedlings. I made a separate dome for Olor using plastic wrap. Everything looking good so far.

 

[Tutu]

Looking good!