Newbie from Berkeley with some questions (growing to make Shisha and Snus) @MTISEMPTY

[MTISEMPTY]

Hi All,
I'll be going into my third season growing tobacco. I have two raised beds in my yard, plus assorted large pots. I mostly use it to make snus and shisha. Discovering this forum halfway through last summer was a huge boon, and I decided to register! My crop the past couple of years has been underwhelming; volunteer trees run under the raised bed and stole all the nutrients. I've doubled the height of the beds and laid down a weed barrier to fix this, so I think this will be my year. I cure the tobacco in my shed, which is somewhat open to the outside. With Berkeley weather, I have to keep a humidifier and fan running in the summer and a dehumidifier in the winter (plus a space heater for the coldest days). Even so, I have had quite a few problems curing over the years, with it either green-drying or growing mold, depending on the season. Hopefully having the full compliment this season will fix it.
I have a couple of questions I couldn't find the answers to on the forum:
1) In the past I've grown Virginia Bright Leaf, Rustica, and Florida Sumatra shade tobacco (all seeds from Victory). I didn't even think about cross-pollination and the possibility of sterile seeds until I joined the forum. I've collected the seeds each year, though mostly from this past summer. What are the odds they're sterile? Do I need to buy more just in case?
2) I've been curing the tobacco I turn into shisha and snus, but not shed aging it for months after (at most I let it mellow in mason jars). Should I be? Or is that only necessary to reduce the harshness and ammonia smell for cigarette/pipe tobacco?
3) While this site has provided a ton of fantastic snus recipes, I have yet to find any good shisha recipes. Do people have them?
4) I've been using tiny amounts of essential oils to flavor the tobacco. Is this dangerous, and if so what do people use (vape oils, powders, etc)?

Thank you so much!!
Best,
M

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum. Do read the New Growers' FAQ, and scan through the topics in our Index of Key Forum Threads. Both are linked in the menu bar.

I'll answer the seed question. Buy new seed. Growing tobacco is too much of an investment in time and effort to not know what variety you'll end up with.

I recommend Northwood Seeds. Victory Seed is also excellent.

Bob

 

[wruk53]

I'll make a few comments on numbers 2 and 4. A few of our members have stated that they color cure their tobacco, then grind it as soon as it is completely dry and make snus from it. I've done it a few times and it turned out okay. It'll be kind of grassy tasting at first until it ages for a few weeks in the fridge. Not horrible, but not as good as properly aged tobacco.
Some flavorings I've used: Mulethi powder for sweetening overly bitter tobaccos. Bergamot extract gives a unique citrus aroma that I like very much. Ammonium Chloride gives the snus a sharp smell reminiscent of Copenhagen snuff. Ouzo will give your snus some sweetness and a black licorice taste and smell. Various whiskeys, brandy and the like can also be used. The thing to remember is to go slowly when adding flavorings, you want just a hint of what you are adding so as not to overpower the tobacco taste and aroma.

 

[Knucklehead]

Welcome. Thank you for joining us.

 

[Alpine]

Welcome to FTT

pier

 

[jclif43]

Welcome!

 

[Juxtaposer-]

It is my understanding that tobacco for shisha gets washed. it seems that any tobacco would be fine to use If this is done. Some you would certainly wash more than others. I have considered washing some of my stronger leaf to tame it for pipe smoking.