Fisherman's grow blog; Port Lavaca Texas ,Gulf coast

[Fisherman]

Here is a like to the unit I just ordered. Wanted to build but just dont have time:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BELLCO-7728...922?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2574562e2a

It says works to 50 deg C but the unit I got doesnt work at all. I am sure the insulation will withstand flue temps tho. $500 for 40 cubic foot unit delivered is not to bad tho. Is possible to use the units heater possiubly but is no prob if it is that out and not just controller.

 

[Fisherman]

And I got a small test kiln unit working... I got the unit for like $80 and then got the humidifier for a lil more but I am seeing the whole gang go to pile and maybe even brick curing so the lil unit can actually do maybe 4-6 pounds at a time .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300737989129?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 [the unit]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140977007579?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 humidity unit.

I wonder how dense of a brick you can cure in a kiln?? Mr Deluxe did it I think in another post and it worked he said.

 

[deluxestogie]

I've kilned leaf pressed to a ~1" thick block. I really don't think it matters how thick the press block is, other than to allow a little more time for the center to get up to temp (maybe a day, as a ballpark guess). I would not do this below 120ºF, since the center may mold at lower temps. Temps of 120-130ºF will not kill mold, but it does inhibit vegetative growth of mold.

For light mildew on a leaf, you can lightly mist it with half-strength white vinegar, then allow it to air out. Another choice is ordinary H[sub]2[/sub]O[sub]2[/sub] (hydrogen peroxide). Serenade (Bacillus subtilis) is a biological that will eat and kill molds, then dies off. However you treat it, or even if you don't treat it, smell it when it has fully dried, then been brought back into case. If it smells moldy, it will taste pretty crappy. Otherwise, just smoke it.

The only health risk of mold on tobacco is if it is black mold ([/i]Aspergillus niger[/i]). It produces a toxin (aflatoxin) that will damage your liver. The aflatoxin does not present a problem in the smoke, so it would be safe to smoke it. But aflatoxin would be an issue if you suck on it--chew, cigar wrapper, snuff, etc.)

Bob

 

[Chicken]

those are some pricy items, you could have rednecked it and saved some money...

by using a crock pot,,,and a radiator type heater,

 

[BarG]

The only health risk of mold on tobacco is if it is black mold ([/i]Aspergillus niger[/i]). It produces a toxin (aflatoxin) that will damage your liver. The aflatoxin does not present a problem in the smoke, so it would be safe to smoke it. But aflatoxin would be an issue if you suck on it--chew, cigar wrapper, snuff, etc.)

Bob

Good caution on the mold issue Bob. I won't even try to save leaf with black mold. I had some on the tops from my first year growing by leaving hanging in to high humidity and medium temps. [learned some hard lessons that year]

When you learn it the hard way its not easily forgotton. Hooray for FTT. Its sure helped me recieving advice from all the contributing members.

 

[Fisherman]

Pics of "Second planting from First sowing" : SO far almost no suckers at all and all are almost a foot taller at crowsfoot than their already dried brothers from same sowing. This defies all I thot I knew about rootbound plants bolting to seed and being stunted!

 

[Fisherman]

Also have new kiln/curing chamber onsite. Bought off Ebay from great outfit on west coast. Half of unit total cost was shipping [ $250 shipping and $250 for unit ]
Unit does heat but only to designed 50Deg C and fan motor is out.
Will change controller and see if existing heating element will hold higher temps and how fast it will heat unit. Will need to install vent system and humidity system also.

I am thinking mainly to color cure all leaf later in unit then de-rib without drying stems and store until all are color cured and then to kiln it all in bricks maybe. Or at least in bundles.

My reasoning is that in November here, there will be great potential of mold issues due to reduced heat and rising humidity and since I am not making cigar leaf........... de ribbing at early stage will help reduce mold threat and also allow me to store until all are harvested and then use unit as strictly kiln.

Unit is all powder coated steel and 3' x 2' x 6'+ . It is a Bellco roll in Incubator.

 

[DGBAMA]

Dang that second planting took off. My late planted VA golds were very neglected and way to long in the bulk germination tray; then too long in the 72 cell trays.......a ball of roots, with some a few inches out the bottom of the cells.........I worried aout them too, neve put in bigger cups and babied like the others. They are catching up fast and going to be some of my nicest plants.

 

[Fisherman]

Yeah from the street side of the fence . the first planting had only the flowers showing over fence. This planting has like 3 leaves below the foot thing showing and no blooms yet. I think next year will wait a while to plant as the colder temps in spring hurt the plants ability to get nutrients up them. This planting , I cut out root ball from old plant with a knife and inserted the new plant. SO esentually was spent dirt

The 2 rows of buckets to left side of pic are new plants and just now taking off. Also spent dirt but I rolled it a few times in my soil mixer and added some goodies. They are mixed varieties which is weird to see the different leaf shapes as compared to the only one I knew prior which is the brightleaf. I am trying 2-3 turkish to bucket and the rest as singles except Mohawk which is really a let down so far. Almost all have flowered even in the sprouting trays. Will dubble them up and hope for a few seeds anyway.

 

[AmaxB]

Pics of "Second planting from First sowing" : SO far almost no suckers at all and all are almost a foot taller at crowsfoot than their already dried brothers from same sowing. This defies all I thot I knew about rootbound plants bolting to seed and being stunted!

Don't know about all that but the photo sure looks good

 

[workhorse_01]

I think of what Johnlee said about the guy who wont have a tomato plant on his farm. I wonder what he'd think of that photo? LOL. Very nice grow!

 

[johnlee1933]

I think of what Johnlee said about the guy who wont have a tomato plant on his farm. I wonder what he'd think of that photo? LOL. Very nice grow!

I may have mixed that up. It was "potato" plants he won't have because of a shared virus.

 

[workhorse_01]

Oh! Maybe I misunderstood. I have no potato plants, a lot of tomato plants and I have one yellow Orinoco with tswv.

I may have mixed that up. It was "potato" plants he won't have because of a shared virus.

 

[deluxestogie]

The entire family of Solanaciae (tobacco, tomato, eggplant, peppers, potato, and many weeds) share viruses and many other pests.

Bob

 

[Fisherman]

I haven't had any trouble with the tobacco plants but the tomatoes are not doing as well as they did earlier. They are indeterminate variety and I let them go a little wild and neglected them. The little patio one had a sort of blight then recovered but the other ones are turning brown and I think I will pull them soon or cut them back . I am not sure it is from neglect or what at this point. The tomatoes them selves were a little small for my liking anyway. While impressive to see a 12' tomato plant in a 5 gallon bucket the simple nutrient logistics were a pain. Staking that plant makes it to top heavy as well.
Also my pepper plants suffered all season from nutrient problems. They had blossum end rot and curley leaf syndrome. Finally they straightened out somewhat but the fruit is still small. Mostly neglect is problem I am sure.

My point is that the vegetables seem to be less vigorous than the tobacco and thus could be the host of a virus attack rather than the tobacco causing the start of an epidemic. I had this dream once of the local corn farmers coming to lynch me for causing their corn to come down with mosiac

 

[workhorse_01]

This year I grew my tomatoes out of a miracle grow garden soil bag. I just cut an x in each end and poked some holes in the bottom, hollowed out a spot and stuck the plant in. They're 5' tall and have given and given all summer. I did the same with the peppers. This is the only way i'll grow them from now on.

 

[AmaxB]

This year I grew my tomatoes out of a miracle grow garden soil bag. I just cut an x in each end and poked some holes in the bottom, hollowed out a spot and stuck the plant in. They're 5' tall and have given and given all summer. I did the same with the peppers. This is the only way i'll grow them from now on.

Very nice easy, and easier I plan on some veggies next year seems how well I did with the Tobacco. Tomatoes are a must so I will be copying you, at least that is what I am saying now..with me it is always subject to change.

 

[AmaxB]

I had this dream once of the local corn farmers coming to lynch me for causing their corn to come down with mosiac

Your to big to hang they would have to shoot ya, I think a very stiff drink before bed could save your life .....
Case folks reading don't know this is Brent's special brand of Tobacco Humor

 

[chillardbee]

I haven't had any trouble with the tobacco plants but the tomatoes are not doing as well as they did earlier. They are indeterminate variety and I let them go a little wild and neglected them. The little patio one had a sort of blight then recovered but the other ones are turning brown and I think I will pull them soon or cut them back . I am not sure it is from neglect or what at this point. The tomatoes them selves were a little small for my liking anyway. While impressive to see a 12' tomato plant in a 5 gallon bucket the simple nutrient logistics were a pain. Staking that plant makes it to top heavy as well.
Also my pepper plants suffered all season from nutrient problems. They had blossum end rot and curley leaf syndrome. Finally they straightened out somewhat but the fruit is still small. Mostly neglect is problem I am sure.

My point is that the vegetables seem to be less vigorous than the tobacco and thus could be the host of a virus attack rather than the tobacco causing the start of an epidemic. I had this dream once of the local corn farmers coming to lynch me for causing their corn to come down with mosiac

We always seem to take care of the things most important to us, like tobacco, while thye rest of the garden goes to pot. I'm guilty of that this year too. I spent a lot of time with the veg garden up until I started priming but know with the fireweed flow here and all the bee work that needs doing I'll only commit myself to bees and baccy and, unfortunately, the garden has to fend for itself.

Something I'm thinking about though is this. For next year, my garden will be greatly scaled down but not the baccy part of it. It might be argued that neglicted plants can impart disease to your healthy ones but then,maybe it is their health that will prevent disease. That being siad, I don't want to take a chance on that so I think I'll grow only what I can manage to keep disease out or in the least to a minimum.

 

[johnlee1933]

We always seem to take care of the things most important to us, like tobacco, while thye rest of the garden goes to pot. I'm guilty of that this year too. I spent a lot of time with the veg garden up until I started priming but know with the fireweed flow here and all the bee work that needs doing I'll only commit myself to bees and baccy and, unfortunately, the garden has to fend for itself.

Something I'm thinking about though is this. For next year, my garden will be greatly scaled down but not the baccy part of it. It might be argued that neglicted plants can impart disease to your healthy ones but then,maybe it is their health that will prevent disease. That being siad, I don't want to take a chance on that so I think I'll grow only what I can manage to keep disease out or in the least to a minimum.

I think you might look at it in a dollar return scenario. Where do you get the most return on your time spent. Factor into this the amount of pleasure you obtain from fresh whatever and the answer should pop up.