Which strain for a new grower?

[Hrklz]

Hey everyone!
I'm a new grower just getting into the matter. I've read the FAQ and some of the key threads, so I have the basic knowledge.
Right now I'm struggling with choosing the strain(s) to grow for this season.
I have a few criteria:
-Minimal processing required
-No additional equipment needed (kiln etc.)
-As short as possible curing and aging time
-Mainly for cigarettes but ideally also suitable for a few cigars or cigarillos

From reading "Tobacco strain selection guide for minimal processing", I gathered that Yellow Twist Bud is a good choice for these criteria. Did I understand that right? Should YTB be blended with other variants or can it be a standalone cigarette tobacco?
Another thing I was unsure about is when to prime. In the mentioned thread @Jitterbugdude said that priming only 10 days after topping is the way to go for a short aging time. Would that mean priming totally green leaves?
Tbh the thread still left my confused after reading, that why I'm posting this question.

In summary, the best way to meet my criteria would be YTB as the strain and priming soon after topping, correct?

The reason I'm kinda under pressure time wise is that I'll be leaving the country for half a year in November. I'd love to take some home grown tobacco with me. Furthermore, I couldn't control longer aging during the time I'm gone.

Any advice on how I can best meet my criteria or things I should change would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Wombat_smokes]

Short season choices are best - 65 days or less. Based on the “last frost date” for Stuttgart, you still have time to buy and start seeds. Assuming you start seeds around April 15, you'll be harvesting around the end of August - 49 days from seed to transplant, 65 days to maturity and 21 days to harvest (single leaf priming or whole stalk harvest). Enough time to monitor the color curing before your trip in November. Properly stored in low case, everything should be ready to smoke when you return home.

Air cure types might be best. Air cured Brightleaf/Virginia (VA) is ok, but some members like sun curing their Brightleaf. Classic cigarette blends will have VA, Burley, Orientals, sometimes Maryland. Cigars, however, depend on if you expect a Caribbean (e.g. Padron, Arturo Fuente, etc…), American (varieties like Pennsylvania or Connecticut Broadleaf), or “European” (e.g. Nostrano del Brenta, Caliqueños) style. Strength of flavor is also to be considered. Mild flavor will use “mild” tobaccos and Dark/strong flavor will use strong flavor. Space for curing and growing will also limit what you grow.

Yellow Twist Bud will satisfy your Burley needs and might give you some good wrappers from the bottom half of the stalk.

Badischer Geuderthimer looks like a nice choice and deserves a second try. I also have Rot Front and Adonis on my wishlist for next year.

The short answer: whatever you want & what grows well for you. It's a frustrating non-answer, but true. The industry conforms to certain expectations that have been determined by the last century of tobacco trends. A cigar, cigarette, or pipe blend can be whatever you want.

I am a first time grower. I spent the last year reading the forums and Northwood's seed list. I learned the curing process and what to expect. I reached the “end of the sidewalk” 6 months ago, and decided the only way to learn more was to try. I smoke pipes & cigars. I chose my grow list based on multipurpose varieties and getting a broad diversity. I will build a simple kiln to shorten the aging time, but storing your tobacco in low case (dry but not crumbling to dust when handled) for 6 to 12 months will sufficiently age the leaves.

While Northwoodseeds.com is a great place to buy, some European members have mentioned that the import/customs fees are too high for them. Tabakanbau.de and tilbudet.se have been recommended as good sources, but lack the diversity of Northwoods.

You are in good company with several members from Europe (including Germany, Denmark,Sweden & Finland to name a few). You may want to look at the grow logs to see what has worked well for them.
.
Grüß Gott and good luck with your tobacco garden.

 

[Hrklz]

Yeah, I also read that starting my seedlings in mid-april is a good idea. I found a german eBay shop that has YTB, Badisch Geudertheimer and quite a few other varieties.
In https://forum.wholeleaftobacco.com/...-selection-guide-for-minimal-processing.1174/ @FmGrowit said that YTB is a great standalone cigarette tobacco that can be smoked as soon as color-cured (if I understood that correctly).
That was my motivation behind choosing YTB as my primary strain, as it would be smokable in November and I could take it on my trip.
I was also thinking about choosing one or two other strains for this years crop that could age while I'm out of the country. Would it be possible to age tobacco without being there to supervise it without spending money on equipment regulating heat and humidity?
If possible I would try Badisch Geudertheimer again and maybe another lighter strain.
If someone has experience with YTB and or Badisch Geudertheimer, please do tell!

 

[WillQuantrill]

Would it be possible to age tobacco without being there to supervise it without spending money on equipment regulating heat and humidity?

As long as the leaf is in "low case" it can be left unattended for long periods and will likely improve over that period of time. Especially where cigar leaf is concerned I have read that quite a few manufacturers will store leaf (baled) for minimum 6 months after fermentation to let color balance. I have only ever found improvement in smoking characteristics when it comes to aging "young leaf".

 

[johnny108]

Northwood seeds has no problem shipping to Germany.
I order from him all the time.

 

[Hrklz]

Would it be possible to age tobacco without being there to supervise it without spending money on equipment regulating heat and humidity?

As long as the leaf is in "low case" it can be left unattended for long periods and will likely improve over that period of time. Especially where cigar leaf is concerned I have read that quite a few manufacturers will store leaf (baled) for minimum 6 months after fermentation to let color balance. I have only ever found improvement in smoking characteristics when it comes to aging "young leaf".

Oh ok, so I can color-cure it (hanging in in a carport for several weeks in my case) and when it's in low case I can store. Does it need to be in an air tight container or would storing it openly in a basement (16c-18c, 55%-65% humidity) be fine?
I was under the impression that I need to hang the leaves in an area that has rising and falling humidity and be above 16c/60F for it to age properly (as per the FAQ for Beginning Growers)

 

[Hrklz]

Northwood seeds has no problem shipping to Germany.
I order from him all the time.

Oh good, what does the price per packet add up to after shipping, taxes and everything? And how long does shipping usually take?

 

[WillQuantrill]

Oh ok, so I can color-cure it (hanging in in a carport for several weeks in my case) and when it's in low case I can store. Does it need to be in an air tight container or would storing it openly in a basement (16c-18c, 55%-65% humidity) be fine?
I was under the impression that I need to hang the leaves in an area that has rising and falling humidity and be above 16c/60F for it to age properly (as per the FAQ for Beginning Growers)

Once its color cured, you can store it. I personally would opt to store it in a bag or air tight container as long as you can be confident its evenly low case. Then if you want to experiment when you get back you can mess with smaller fermentation setups.

 

[Wombat_smokes]

Oh good, what does the price per packet add up to after shipping, taxes and everything? And how long does shipping usually take?

The bottom of the seed list page has all the info. $3.50 per seed pack, $4.50 shipping, don't know how any sales tax would work out. Include that question when you place your order.

 

[johnny108]

Oh good, what does the price per packet add up to after shipping, taxes and everything? And how long does shipping usually take?

Shipping is $4.50. 3.50 for each seed pack.
No taxes or import fees.
It arrives as a letter, in less than 2 weeks.

 

[Hrklz]

Good to know. Thanks!