Curing advice and help for next year

[Pharmguy]

Since this years season was a bust for me I am wanting to ask for some help and run my ideas by you folks to see if I’m on the right track or if I need to consider an alternative. My goal is to grow varieties that are good for pipe tobacco blends. From reading here, and a few other places, Burley, Virginia, and an oriental of some kind seem to be a general blend. I’m posting in the curing section because that is where my “train got derailed”. I, my own fault, didn’t put much effort into gathering information on curing because I didn’t think I would actually make it to a harvestable plant. Anyway, my plan is to grow Harrow Velvet for the burley variety and stalk cure in a box outside that will have a digital thermometer and hygrometer. I will make adjustments to temp and rh when needed. I was thinking Virginia 116 and curing in the “Cozy Can” per the very detailed instructions by Bob. And lastly using Prilep for the oriental, which seems to be a sun cured from what I have read. It is also my intention to use the “Cozy Can” as a kiln since I’m only planning on having 3-6 plants in total. Does all this sound like I am on the right track? Sorry for the long post and being “needy”, but from reading through this forum people seem to be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

Trevor

 

[deluxestogie]

Your plans seem workable. Those varieties should get you what you want.

Even something as simple as constructing the Cozy Can is an awful lot of work for 1 or two plants. (Cozy Can is not all that durable when used as a kiln, because of the constant humidity. But you can probably get at least a couple of years of use out of it, before the bottom rusts out.) And most of the steps and work of germinating, transplanting and growing are pretty much the same amount of time and labor for a tiny grow (3-6 plants) vs. a small grow (say 24 to 32 plants).

Prilep can be planted at a spacing of 8 to 12 inches, so a lot of them will fit into a small space. I fit 16 Prilep easily into a 5' x 6' bed. So I would encourage you to consider a larger number of plants--at least 4 of each variety. But that is just from a labor logistics / crop satisfaction standpoint. If space is severely constrained, then grow what you can fit.

Bob

 

[Radagast]

Since this years season was a bust for me I am wanting to ask for some help and run my ideas by you folks to see if I’m on the right track or if I need to consider an alternative. My goal is to grow varieties that are good for pipe tobacco blends. From reading here, and a few other places, Burley, Virginia, and an oriental of some kind seem to be a general blend. I’m posting in the curing section because that is where my “train got derailed”. I, my own fault, didn’t put much effort into gathering information on curing because I didn’t think I would actually make it to a harvestable plant. Anyway, my plan is to grow Harrow Velvet for the burley variety and stalk cure in a box outside that will have a digital thermometer and hygrometer. I will make adjustments to temp and rh when needed. I was thinking Virginia 116 and curing in the “Cozy Can” per the very detailed instructions by Bob. And lastly using Prilep for the oriental, which seems to be a sun cured from what I have read. It is also my intention to use the “Cozy Can” as a kiln since I’m only planning on having 3-6 plants in total. Does all this sound like I am on the right track? Sorry for the long post and being “needy”, but from reading through this forum people seem to be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

Trevor

I built a cozy can out of a plastic garbage can, HDPE melting point is much higher than kiln/flue temps and they come in larger sizes. Food for thought..
Ps I grew Prilep and Harrow V this season and love them both, they get my vote.

 

[deluxestogie]

MATERIAL: LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene)
TEMPERATURE: -20° to 150°F

Rubbermaid® Brute® Trash Can - 10 Gallon, Gray H-1853GR - Uline

Tough trash cans that handle your heaviest loads. Heavy-duty plastic construction resists denting, bending and cracking. Molded-in handles make lifting easy. Vented side channels for easy trash liner removal. Compact size for restaurant storage. USDA compliant. NSF certified.ULINE offers over...

www.uline.com

Same is true for all sizes, up to 55 gallon.

Bob

 

[Pharmguy]

Is there a better alternative to the cozy can for curing the Virginia? I’m not sure I have an effective air curing space. Also, I don’t have a ton of space for a chamber and I like the idea of being able to put it away when not in use. The wife has kindly allowed me to use about a 4x8 foot space of her garden area. I was also going to try using these big plastic tubs that I have, so 3-6 is all I really have space for at the moment.

The Prilep sounded really interesting and sun curing seems like something I can accomplish.

Trevor

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I used reflective bubble insulation. A small fan, humidifier on humidity controller, and heater on temperature controller, although I'm sure a crock pot would have worked. It rolls up into a soft thing that's easily tucked away. Or you could staple it to the wall for added insulation.

 

[deluxestogie]

Look in the Index of Key Forum Threads, under Curing: other.

Knucklehead's Exoskeletal Wooden Box Kiln
Deluxestogie's Endoskeletal Wooden Box Kiln

Both of those are effective for flue-curing. Mine is held together with screws, and was specifically designed to be disassembled if needed. I've never taken it apart.

Bob

 

[Pharmguy]

I think the knucklehead design looks great. I’m gonna go that route. I think I have everything except the foam board. Thanks for the recommendation Bob.

Trevor