2014 Knucklehead Grow Blog

[chillardbee]

If it's possible to bring a sample of soil in where you got the clover planted to see if you have the right nitrogen fixing bacteria that clover needs to put nitrogen in the ground, it might be worth while. you can also just perchase bacteria for it too. just an idea.

 

[Knucklehead]

While tobacco will form additional roots where the stalk contacts moist soil, my study of this in 2013 revealed that such root development was marginal, at best. So, if you plant deep, keep the stalk entirely vertical. One approach is to plant in a depression, then mound up the surrounding soil as the plant grows.
Bob

Where I noticed new roots from the stalk was at the leaf/stalk juncture. The roots came out at the sucker location and headed to the ground. Keep in mind we had almost daily rain during this period. The new root development above ground could just as easily have been a reaction to the buried roots being near drowned as it was to the stem and stalk's close proximity to the ground. (These were 18" tall Smyrna seedlings that had been blown over and beaten to the ground by heavy rain.) Some roots started 1/3 of the way up the stalk if that portion of the stalk was in contact with the ground, others showed new roots as high as 1/2 way up the plant if that was the portion in contact with the ground. The plants turned straight up toward the sun after the bend that was making contact. New roots formed there and supported the weight of the plant from that new angle.

I have never seen tobacco plants form new roots along the stalk underground after being planted deep, but I have never dug one up to see. I think several different factors were in play last year with the above ground re-rooting.

 

[Knucklehead]

If it's possible to bring a sample of soil in where you got the clover planted to see if you have the right nitrogen fixing bacteria that clover needs to put nitrogen in the ground, it might be worth while. you can also just perchase bacteria for it too. just an idea.

The whole field where my patch is located is covered in White Dutch clover. Our bees are on the far side of the field up against the eastern slope of the hill. Due to trees, the hill, etc. the bees only get morning sunshine. The clover is doing great in the rest of the field and was faring well where I plowed my patch. I just want something nice to till in this fall and hopefully gain some nitrogen along the way. Anytime you can use a reduced nitrogen fertilizer you are saving money. Nitrogen is the most expensive component of a mineral fertilizer blend. I'll plant another cover crop of crimson clover this fall for the winter and have something nice to till in come springtime, with some additional nitrogen over the winter. If I keep the grass and weeds mowed before they go to seed, and till the patch spring and fall, I will eventually have an almost weed free patch. I also hope to keep improving the soil as I go. I'll spread some sand this fall before tilling also, there is still a little too much clay in the soil.

 

[spencerpearson]

hey guys been a while since i show up. but trying to hang around.. lol i started silk leaf but i was wondering how long does it take to get them to sprout only been in there for a few days. there in my small greenhouse and in a seed starter with no heaters. it gets about 80 in there during the day.. any suggestions.

 

[Knucklehead]

hey guys been a while since i show up. but trying to hang around.. lol i started silk leaf but i was wondering how long does it take to get them to sprout only been in there for a few days. there in my small greenhouse and in a seed starter with no heaters. it gets about 80 in there during the day.. any suggestions.

Start your own Grow Blog and we can help you as you go along. One suggestion, start about two months earlier next year.

 

[spencerpearson]

ok cool i will get started on the blog now. thanks.

 

[Knucklehead]

hey guys been a while since i show up. but trying to hang around.. lol i started silk leaf but i was wondering how long does it take to get them to sprout only been in there for a few days. there in my small greenhouse and in a seed starter with no heaters. it gets about 80 in there during the day.. any suggestions.

One more suggestion, I think most greenhouse growers try to keep the temps inside below 90F. It will be coming close to that soon. Plan on ways to vent.

 

[Mad Oshea]

Say Knucklehead, Are You going to do a green house next year? You have a nice spot close to the patch. That would be perfect for You. PS I keep Mine at 85 or so. With 70% humid. in it. If the fan kicks on I loose it to evap.

 

[Knucklehead]

Say Knucklehead, Are You going to do a green house next year? You have a nice spot close to the patch. That would be perfect for You. PS I keep Mine at 85 or so. With 70% humid. in it. If the fan kicks on I loose it to evap.

No, I'm not planning on a greenhouse. I can tie some plastic across the back of my truck with the camper shell and have a mini greenhouse. It worked pretty good this year. I can open the camper shell side windows for venting. Cost is about 5 cents and I can put it up or take it down in under five minutes. If bad winds or thunderstorms or chance of hail are coming, I can put the plastic in the cab of the truck and shut the plants up in the camper. I can do about seven trays in there and have full sun.

 

[janetta007]

You have a very nice looking plot Knuckles. Nice looking dirt.

 

[DGBAMA]

You survive the rain? No planting here today, chance of thunderstorms turned into an all day soaker.

 

[Knucklehead]

You survive the rain? No planting here today, chance of thunderstorms turned into an all day soaker.

Yeah, I'm fine after the rain. Been stir crazy all day. I figured you'd be too wet to plant. Let me know when you are ready to try again. As long as I don't mire up to the axles I'm good to go.

 

[Knucklehead]

You have a very nice looking plot Knuckles. Nice looking dirt.

Thanks janetta. I just looked at your blog, your plants have hit a growth spurt. They are looking very nice. Is the drought killing your area? I was reading that pretty much all of Texas was in a national emergency drought. I hope it's missing you.

My soil is still a little heavy with clay. I need some of that good old Texas sand mixed in. Listen to some ZZ Top while I'm tending tobacco.

 

[Brown Thumb]

Where I noticed new roots from the stalk was at the leaf/stalk juncture. The roots came out at the sucker location and headed to the ground. Keep in mind we had almost daily rain during this period. The new root development above ground could just as easily have been a reaction to the buried roots being near drowned as it was to the stem and stalk's close proximity to the ground. (These were 18" tall Smyrna seedlings that had been blown over and beaten to the ground by heavy rain.) Some roots started 1/3 of the way up the stalk if that portion of the stalk was in contact with the ground, others showed new roots as high as 1/2 way up the plant if that was the portion in contact with the ground. The plants turned straight up toward the sun after the bend that was making contact. New roots formed there and supported the weight of the plant from that new angle.

I have never seen tobacco plants form new roots along the stalk underground after being planted deep, but I have never dug one up to see. I think several different factors were in play last year with the above ground re-rooting.

Last year I lost a lot of Izmir in a wind storm and I left them down on the ground, they grew up straight again and the stalk on the ground rooted to the ground. I did not notice that until pulling them out after the season. It was a few feet away in the row dirt. I said to my self you can't kill these and had a good harvest also.

 

[Mad Oshea]

Izmir is great. Low on nicotin and great on tast. They will do a hit. Still grow up to the sun and (still small on the leaf) Great tobacco for any mix......10 star on any grow. Mad...

 

[ArizonaDave]

Izmir is great. Low on nicotin and great on tast. They will do a hit. Still grow up to the sun and (still small on the leaf) Great tobacco for any mix......10 star on any grow. Mad...

That is one tobacco I need to try!!!

 

[Indianamac]

Knuck, how's the patch do'n? Got any new pics?

 

[Knucklehead]

Knuck, how's the patch do'n? Got any new pics?

It's doing great. I'll go snap some pictures today. We had some good rain the past couple of days. Two days of sun predicted and then more rain. I moved the patch to a higher spot this year and worked on soil drainage. So far so good.

 

[Indianamac]

It's doing great. I'll go snap some pictures today. We had some good rain the past couple of days. Two days of sun predicted and then more rain. I moved the patch to a higher spot this year and worked on soil drainage. So far so good.

Good to hear!! Can't wait for the pics...

 

[janetta007]

Thanks janetta. I just looked at your blog, your plants have hit a growth spurt. They are looking very nice. Is the drought killing your area? I was reading that pretty much all of Texas was in a national emergency drought. I hope it's missing you.

My soil is still a little heavy with clay. I need some of that good old Texas sand mixed in. Listen to some ZZ Top while I'm tending tobacco.

We are still under drought but we have had a few storms pass through. Next 3 days we will be getting more rain. I have just about everything that will hold water out in the yard to catch rain.