Bowjack
Member
I have not grown my own plants but have gathered some great leaf that blew off the trucks during the harvesting of the tobacco. What I have done is hung about 300 leafs and some of them were realy damaged in the early part of the harvest because I would grab any that were on the road. I air cured them all by hanging in hands in the rafters of the shop and have some fermenting in a water cooler through the use of a lever press. And I did many twists and tied with some hemp rope to in crease the pressure...some of those molded when brought into the house. So, on the compost pile they went, and I have some navy style (2)wrapped in "carrottes" still and took my first one apart after 3 months and smoked some and it's a bit harsh but has some flavor reminiscent of the B+M bought tins. I also crock potted some and then rolled them into a canvas with rope with the leaf. However, I have no clue as to the variety of tobacco leaf and can only guess it is virginia due to my location in NC. Now, that they are color cured orange and some red...and I am cutting the twists into coins...will they mold too. I sprayed some with maple water and steamed a batch while I was making the BC. It's been much fun and work to try and figure out the best practice for making pipe tobacco from leaf found on the road. So, when storing, I will use mason jars. Will it mold? Do I need to take any precautions..right now I have 3 paper bags full of dry baccy and some hanging in the rafters. I'd like to press them and have been cutting some with "codger" baccy for grins and giggles. Anyway, the finishing seems to be the toughest part for good smoke. Thanks!