The article is almost interesting, but it would have been much more so if the writer actually knew anything about it. I personally would have like to hear more from the home growers, and what their results were. I'd also like to know if there are torcedores regionally that will roll home-grown tobacco into nice, professional sticks.
The article mentions that Obama closed the Hav-a-Tampa plant. This would probably be a good way to create your own job if you lost it there.
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The first hurdle is getting to the seedling stage but the biggest hurdle takes place after picking the leaf… the drying, curing, aging and even fermenting.
According to my contact list I have mailed or given out seeds (free) to over 50 BOTLs in the past few years.
My seed stock and varieties grows a bit each year along with my tobacco chests. Some of my homegrown tobacco is nearly 4 years old. Just like cigars loose leaf tobacco requires a modicum of vigilant care.
I encourage all who have a spark of passion to give it a try, if only to see the beauty of the pink blossom.
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I have about 30 plants out there from Richard's seed. (Thanks, brother!!!
:-))
I had read a book from the 30's a lot of years ago and talked myself out of growing tobacco because it made it sound so difficult.
It's as easy as growing lettuce.
I started my plants way too early and had to hold them back. Then they had a long recovery.
The bugs on them are relentless, some sort of aphids. Sevin won't touch them, they laugh at it.
Next year, I'll start later, use insecticide soap, and watch the plants do 1000% better. This year was my first shot, and I didn't expect anything but to enjoy the flowers. What a show it's been.
:-)
I will save seed from this year's best plants, use Richard's 3 different seeds he sent me, cross pollinate, reselect next year, and keep selecting for hardiness, bug resistance, and size.
I want to grow HUGE plants with HUGE flowers.
It'll take a few years, but it's what I like to do. 10 years from now I'll have ten foot tall plants with 6 inch flowers, if all goes well.
At the very least, I'll have a plant that grows well here.
I've not gotten bit by the curing bug yet, so I'll likely just select and save seed for the next few years, but down the road I'm sure I'll try my hand at curing and rolling.
As a border plant for the garden, they just cannot be beat. They'd be an excellent hedgerow, or can be used as a shade plant for other plants in the garden, like lettuce and spinach that doesn't like a lot of sun.
I can go on forever, but mostly I'd like to thank Richard for introducing me to an incredibly cool plant that I've long (20+ years) wanted to grow.
Thanks Richard!!!
:-)
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