Understanding the curing process

[UkFred]

Hello all.

I'm a first time newbie grower from the UK, I'm into cigars, so just growing a few havana plants as a trial to see how I do ( there are 2 in the garden and 2 indoors under grow lights, just taking them out when it's sunny a few times a week). They seem to be growing nicely except for the outside plants which are currently getting eaten by grasshoppers it seems, but I found out how to deal with that in some other post in the forum, so no worries there.

I'm planning to use a small wooden shed I have to cure the leafs after harvesting. Currently, temperatures inside the shed range from 57F to 75F and humidity levels go from 55 to 85 or so depending on the time of day. So my question is: would these temperatures/humidity levels be right for the curing process? What temperature/humidity levels should I be looking for? This process should last between 6 to 10 weeks, is this correct? Also, is there a way to identify either visually or by touching the leaf to be sure it's ready for the next stage in the kiln?

Cheers!

 

[Oldfella]

Hi, have a look around the forum, look at how to grow tobacco, curing arrangements. You'll find it all on this forum. There are many different ways to cure tobacco and if I said do it at this temperature and that humidity it might not work in your climate. Someone from your area may be able to help, but I have found that by planting a crop, of something that can be easily Sun or Air Cured it will get you smoking while you play around kilns and stuff. I see that you are into Cigars and are growing some Havana I'm not sure if that could be used straight away, but I think that you will definitely need a kiln. You can find the how-to on here as well.
Oldfella

 

[UkFred]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Oldfella.

I'll dig deeper into the forum and try to spot some answers, but hupefully some UK grower will pitch in with some tips on growing on my neck of the woods.

Cheers!

Hi, have a look around the forum, look at how to grow tobacco, curing arrangements. You'll find it all on this forum. There are many different ways to cure tobacco and if I said do it at this temperature and that humidity it might not work in your climate. Someone from your area may be able to help, but I have found that by planting a crop, of something that can be easily Sun or Air Cured it will get you smoking while you play around kilns and stuff. I see that you are into Cigars and are growing some Havana I'm not sure if that could be used straight away, but I think that you will definitely need a kiln. You can find the how-to on here as well.
Oldfella

 

[GIL]

I would only worry about the humidity (it may not be the case), I would not crowd the leaves too much on the string.