Re: Where to Start & How - To Grow and Roll My Own Cigars?

[quo155]

I intend on getting some tobacco seeds, planting them, growing them, harvesting them, curing them...and then once ready, roll my own cigars. I am completely new to this hobby. I know nothing more than the few things I have read and/or researched online, over the past few years...on and off. Then, today I joined this forum as I thought I better learn a few things before dropping $25ish on some seeds and, pots, etc. I tend to jump into things with all I have, over whelm myself and quickly loose interest as I've complicated things...or done too much at one time. This time, I intend to NOT follow my same old patterns...thus this thread!

It all started today with me almost purchasing these items:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171013970428?var=470241456969

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171015541596?var=470242079870

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171015541596?var=470242079869

Then, I went to look for some latika or such to add some character to my cigars. I am also a pipe smoker and I often enjoy good aromatics. I recently smoked a Leccia Black cigar and I quickly feel in love! I am always looking to try new smokes and the idea of blending some "pipe tobacco" into my cigars really intrigues me.

So, here are my questions:

I had thought I needed the three tobacco leaves mentioned above, Virginia, Havana and Connecticut. But after doing a little reading here on the forum (and elsewhere), I've determined that I may not know what I want...or better stated, need! So, can you possibly help me with where I should begin, growing what types of tobacco? What other info do I need to share to help you help me, in regards to my normal cigars or pipes that I smoke, etc.?

Looking at these eBay items, would I have been overpaying? Are these, from what YOU, the experienced grower can tell...even legit seeds? Was I on track?

Where is the best place to obtain the needed seeds for simply growing what I need, for a small personal operation?

I like just about anything, and I am after something "different"...but I feel that by trying to do something different, in regards to flavor profile, etc....I might be setting myself up for failure? What say you?

Where do I go from here? I hit the pause button on the above purchase as I now know that I need help! Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated!

Lastly...should I really FIRST obtain some whole leafs that are already grown...and begin to learn the process of rolling the cigar and trying out varieties....BEFORE I begin to grow? I am open to doing this too...

 

[deluxestogie]

Re: Where to Start & How?

Start with the Tobacco Growing FAQ. It contains a list of legitimate seed vendors. I recommend:
http://northwoodseeds.com/
http://sustainableseedco.com/Heirloom-Tobacco-Seed/
http://www.newhopeseed.com/tobacco_seeds.html

How many plants do you intend to grow?

Bob

 

[quo155]

Re: Where to Start & How?

Bob, thank you for the list...I will look them over for sure!

On the number of plants, good question! From looking at how many cigars can come from a plant, I believe I would need to grow anywhere from 4-10 of each leaf that I'd want. I believe I want 3-4 different plants. So far, I think I want a Virginia, Havana, Connecticut and Latakia. I realized earlier today that I am full of ideas and I really don't know what I want...or should lean to. I also realize that I am posting a lot of "what if's" here, for that I am sorry! Again, I am open to ideas and suggestions...

Thank you!

 

[Knucklehead]

Re: Where to Start & How?

Do both. Order seed and whole leaf. You start immediately saving money by beginning to roll your own with whole leaf tobacco. The founder of this forum owns www.wholeleaftobacco.com and I am smoking his leaf and loving every minute of it. One of our members, Skychaser, owns the seed site http://northwoodseeds.com/ and supplies many of the other vendors.

Try the cigar sampler and the wrapper sampler at WLT. You'll never go back to commercial.

 

[Indianamac]

Re: Where to Start & How?

Diddo!!! WLT to start rolling now & NWT seeds to start growing.


I have bought from both & both are credible. As Knuck says, cigar sampler is the way to start. You get hooked from there.


Oh yeah, welcome to the club..

 

[MarcL]

Re: Where to Start & How?

Good info here.
I gotta say, Get some leaf to get rolling, it sound like it would give you great pleasure to get started.
wholeleaftobacco has the best leaf anywhere.

I did buy seed from surf_monkey_coconut, and they seem ok but, I'm not a big grower and he probably gets them from one of the places mentioned above.

These guys would know better though.

 

[deluxestogie]

Re: Where to Start & How?

...Virginia, Havana, Connecticut and Latakia.

First, the Latakia that you're thinking of is a heavily fire-cured leaf--a technique that none of us has successfully duplicated (not even close). So, I would suggest scratching that from the grow list for year 1, and ordering some of Don's superb whole leaf Latakia for your pipe. It's not very nice in a cigar.

For a cigar wrapper that will be sun-grown [I don't think you're eager to build a shade structure], I would suggest Florida Sumatra for EMS, or CT Broadleaf for a darker wrapper.

There are numerous named and numbered Havana varieties. I would suggest Vuelta Abajo (available at North Wood Seeds).

Pennsylvania Red and Little Dutch are relatively easy to cure cigar filler types.

Pick a Virginia, any Virginia.

40 plants total is just about the same amount of work as 20, and 40 is quite manageable for a first grow.

Bob

 

[Boboro]

Re: Where to Start & How?

Buy some WLT and dig up the yard and plant as many as you have room to hang.

 

[quo155]

Re: Where to Start & How?

WoW! So much great information here...and several leads! I will be reading back through these and looking at all of my options today.

I now plan on buying some leaf to begin to learn the process of rolling my own, by hand...this really excites me already!

I have one nice feller that has already offered to send me some seeds. I will be glad to get those and see what I get and I will also try to nail down a few to order...from all that's been suggested here. Keep the info and suggestions coming!

Thank you all...so much for already being such great help to a 100% noob...and someone you don't even know, unless we've crossed paths on other forums! Thanks! ! !

-Tommy
AKA: quo155 & BigHossCCF

 

[istanbulin]

Re: Where to Start & How?

I really like the combination of Little Dutch (filler) Comstock Spanish (binder) and CT Shade (wrapper). As a sun grown wrapper, as Bob suggested, FL Sumatra is easier to grow and provides good amount of wrapper grade leaves and tastes good. I haven't tried home grown CT Broadleaf yet, I hope I'll this year.

 

[quo155]

Thank you @istanbulin for your help...I'm still looking at all of my MANY options on growing. I already have some seeds on the way from a gracious member and I'm about to pull the plug on purchasing some whole leaf to begin learning to roll. I'm so excited!!!

 

[BarG]

Good to hear from you, and welcome to FTT. One variety that stands out for me is Pennsylvania Red. It is Wrapper ,bInder ,and Filler. Of a first grow I would include if possible.

Kiln your homegrown leaf or be dissapointed. For Cigars you will notice this.

 

[Mad Oshea]

Talk to BigBonner on it. He has a nice hand roller. Welcome.

 

[BarG]

Talk to BigBonner on it. He has a nice hand roller. Welcome.

Larry built a bad ass machine. Indestructable. It survived me. I was using Habano seco,Habano viso, fl.sumatra,fire cured, PA Red binders, Bezuki wrappers, and cranking out cigars.

 

[leverhead]

Larry built a bad ass machine. Indestructable. It survived me. I was using Habano seco,Habano viso, fl.sumatra,fire cured, PA Red binders, Bezuki wrappers, and cranking out cigars.

You're going to be spoiled now!

 

[Mad Oshea]

Larry built a bad ass machine. Indestructable. It survived me. I was using Habano seco,Habano viso, fl.sumatra,fire cured, PA Red binders, Bezuki wrappers, and cranking out cigars.

I think He has a couple up for grabs now befor he has to put the hands to work. And I think He will custom build You one as well. Bullet proof is bullet proof! As BarG said " BAD ASS"! This (GIRL) has been around to try out after He built it and is a monster even befor He sent it out to try. PS: Yes "SHE" has a name. Sweeeeeeet work for a master..

 

[BarG]

You are tempted to roll it by hand anyway, because thats fun to . But starting it by hand and putting in Larrys machine to finish is so different. I rarely roll more than 1 or 2 at a time and even with this I probably wouldn't roll a box full. But if you set it up for your use you would be amazed at what it could do. I played for an hour and tried to make a vid. The machine works and works well. I have a lot of cigars.

 

[istanbulin]

One variety that stands out for me is Pennsylvania Red. It is Wrapper ,bInder ,and Filler.

Interesting, gotta try. Which leaves (stalk position) of PA Red are better as wrapper ?

 

[quo155]

Well...I finally figured out exactly where I want to start and I want to do, and that I can spare the $ to purchase the following:

WLT's Cigar Wrapper Sampler and the Cigar Tobacco Sampler...to only find out that the Wrapper Sampler is now out of stock once I try adding it to my cart! That'd be my luck! I couldn't pull the trigger any sooner due to funds but once I'm ready, it's too late for mow!

Now what to do...more looking I guess, and painful waiting! LOL!!!

 

[FmGrowit]

Shit, my bad. It's been in stock for a few weeks now. I wonder how many other sales I've lost because of my stupidity. Thanks for the heads up. I'll throw in a bunch of samples with your order.