BarG's 2012- second season Grow Log

[Jitterbugdude]

Awesome! Although you've got me thinking about a clothes wringer now....... I wonder if a sheet metal roller would do the trick? It would probably destroy a few leaves getting it adjusted though

You'll have to experiment around with that to see if it works for you. I tried running some wrapper leaf through the flat metal rollers of my pasta machine. It made the leaf real nice and thin but it must have damaged it somehow because it lost almost all of its elasticity.



Edite: Awesome website you got there BarG!

 

[BarG]

You'll have to experiment around with that to see if it works for you. I tried running some wrapper leaf through the flat metal rollers of my pasta machine. It made the leaf real nice and thin but it must have damaged it somehow because it lost almost all of its elasticity.



Edite: Awesome website you got there BarG!

That deluxstogie cheese press also works for flatteng stems and veins.
But hey, he can't give up all his secrets at once. When you learn from the school of hard knocks. You don't forget.

 

[SmokesAhoy]

So I smoked your silver river and while not menthol intensity there is a clear and definite sensation of menthol. how neat!

 

[BarG]

It's kind of indescribable to compare to menthol cigarette. Jitterbugdude turned me on to it. I find it hard to describe. Neat is as good as any. Different strikes me .I have been quitting trying to mix a blend and just trying to smoke the unique flavors of individual leafs. Wierd huh. I never knew till joining FTT that I would be doing that.

 

[Jitterbugdude]

So I smoked your silver river and while not menthol intensity there is a clear and definite sensation of menthol. how neat!

So I take it you are going to grow some next year?

 

[johnlee1933]

It's kind of indescribable to compare to menthol cigarette. Jitterbugdude turned me on to it. I find it hard to describe. Neat is as good as any. Different strikes me .I have been quitting trying to mix a blend and just trying to smoke the unique flavors of individual leafs. Wierd huh. I never knew till joining FTT that I would be doing that.

I rolled a puro with the sample you sent me and there is definitely a menthol like after taste. It is not what I prefer being addicted to my Havana's. There is a little of it left and I plan to blend it into some cig tobacco for cigs for my buddies wife. She has finally come over from Marlboro. I think it is just a change of taste buds and $$$'s. I don't believe it is interesting enough to grow any. I have no extra space in my tiny plot so I'll stick to what I like (and a couple of grow outs for the cause.)

John

 

[Aaron]

I've been trying to put my finger on the taste and at times I think faintly reminds me of cedar. It's sure is different. I've tried it in a couple little mixtures that have been ok but I think I'm liking it better on its own.

 

[SmokesAhoy]

So I take it you are going to grow some next year?

That's the plan. Will be the first one to start germing since it latest maturing plant according to many sources.

Tentative list for next year will be delgold if I can obtain it (va 116) if I can't, silver river (small test plot), and ti's 464 and 1249. And then somewhere else on the property a plot for seed stock/ sampling my collection. The vuelta will also get a row and xanthi will be planted like sardines. So that's the idea now, still a long ways off.

I know it's breaking with the simplicity of a one type grow but the sooner I can taste everything the sooner I can reevaluate what I keep(i don't actually want a mini seed bank). Ideally by this time next year I'll have a bunch of baggies for sampling.

 

[BarG]

I'm still not done yet. The only 2 golden wilt that I managed not to kill are hopefully going to make it to the first damaging frost even if I have to use big bags to squeak a week or 2.

 

[BarG]

I rolled a puro with the sample you sent me and there is definitely a menthol like after taste. It is not what I prefer being addicted to my Havana's. There is a little of it left and I plan to blend it into some cig tobacco for cigs for my buddies wife. She has finally come over from Marlboro. I think it is just a change of taste buds and $$$'s. I don't believe it is interesting enough to grow any. I have no extra space in my tiny plot so I'll stick to what I like (and a couple of grow outs for the cause.)John

Some people I have shared it with like it alot. I find it interesting to smoke on ocassion and as a mix. I grew enough this year to last a long time. I would like to do a grow out next year also.

Another great Bezuki after a hard day at the office: with a perique,Pa red ,silk leaf, fire cured filler. Its a good inch shorter since firing it up.

 

[BarG]

You'll have to experiment around with that to see if it works for you. I tried running some wrapper leaf through the flat metal rollers of my pasta machine. It made the leaf real nice and thin but it must have damaged it somehow because it lost almost all of its elasticity.


Edite: Awesome website you got there BarG!

Thanks Jitterbugdude. It helps on rainy days.
I think a similar type set up as a clothes wringer with spring tensioning and neoprene or rubber rollers may solve that. A high case leaf and light spring tension may just flatten veins and stems without affecting the leaf? I would love to have the parts to experiment with.

 

[deluxestogie]

Tim,
I'm with you on the Bezuki. This year I grew a number of wrapper varieties: CT Shade (sun-grown), FL Sumatra, Dixie Shade (sun-grown), Machu Picchu, Jamaica, Manila. Plus I grew several that are called wrapper, but aren't: Paris "Wrapper," Dominican "Wrapper" (actually Olor). Although I enjoy the distinct flavors of each, they are understandably thicker and less stretchy than Bezuki. Don's Bezuki still rolls the nicest cigars. JBD's shade-grown FL Sumatra is quite close to the Bezuki, which I suppose shouldn't be a surprise, since they're closely related strains. Your Havana 425 also make a lovely wrapper.

Bob

 

[BarG]

Thanks Bob.
It wasn't nearly as good till I started Kilning it [Havana 425]. I don't know why but it realy improved as far as being able to stretch and roll, and the harshness was gone.
I don't know if you have tried any of BigBonners Havana 41 yet but if not let me know and I'll send you some to try. It is also very good and I would compare it to the 142 in color and taste. It smokes realy well. As far as the Bezuki I hope Don posts a warning if it looks like he may run out , because I sure don't want to. I'm still trying to learn on my kilning. I don't expect to get it all right the first time but the h-425 always maintains a good high case while other varietys seem to be a bit lower in case. I finaly got around to destemming most everything and lightly pressing and putting in smaller bags. I jumped the gun a little and stuck a whole bunch of stuff in there because I was anxious. A month is a long time to wait, but what will matter is what comes out.

 

[deluxestogie]

These Havanas are a hoot. As I type this, I'm smoking a 7" puro of Havana 38, unkilned. I use a single strip of India Dark Air in any cigar containing unkilned leaf. The unkilned 38 is still a slight bit raw, but I believe will be excellent after kilning. I'll send some Havana 38, along with some Havana 263. (The 38 grew better for me, so it will be planted again next year, while the 263 will go on hiatus.) So far, JBD's Vuelta Abajo has the most authentic Cuban taste and aroma, but the other Havanas that I've tried are all primo cigar material. The kiln transforms them from good to outstanding.

Bob

 

[BarG]

Next year the only repeat strains I will be growing will be the 6 varietys of seedlings I got from BigBonner that I should have grown more. All other varietys were grown in a bigger quantity for personal use, They will last a long time. I hope I'm on JBD's list for some of those Vuelta Abajo seeds. I am realy enjoying growing my own. Thanks for all the great information and help to make that possible Bob and all of FTT.
[ As Iv'e said before I could not have done it without all my Tobacco plant godfathers and this site].

 

[Knucklehead]

Nice looking work Tim. You can make my toothpicks anytime.

J

Johnlee-- believe it or not I have always wanted to see a toothpick making machine. That must be some more machine. Especially the round ones with pointed ends.