Old Gasman's 2022 Blog

[Alpine]

All my cured leaves go into cardboard boxes in the attic, waiting to be kilned and, after kilning they return to the cardboard boxes waiting to be shredded and smoked. Since I only smoke cigarettes (but enjoy a pipe from time to time) I don’t grade or flatten my leaves. My daily blend does have slight variations in taste and nic content (some boxes have more seco, some more ligero and everything in between) but I’m happy anyway.

pier

 

[Old Gasman]

Haha yes I can see how that would work. Alas I have no kiln nor space to put one so what I thought I would do is just to fill a large storage tote with as many leaves as it will take, give them a spritz with water then pop the lid on and wait till they come into case. I then intended to roughly unfurl the leaves, press them flat then pop them into a bag and put them away until next year. Of course I will check them every so often to ensure the RH doesn't exceed 70% or slightly lower.

 

[Knucklehead]

For me, it depends. My weather and humidity can go wonky during curing and my stems may need extra help to dry before they rot. I stack those leaves on propagation heat mats for stem drying, restack a few times and those leaves end up perfectly flat as though ironed on an ironing board. I mist some water on each leaf until I can handle them and make hands out of them. They make the prettiest hands of tobacco you could image. They're so pretty I want to hang one on the wall for display but have yet to do so. Zero extra work, it was just part of the process of preventing stem rot and to speed up the process during periods of high humidity. The others end up wherever. I store in vapor proof bags and place them in cardboard boxes to prevent smashing them. After kilning and they age enough to taste good I just let them dry out until needed.

 

[Old Gasman]

Oh no! Big mistake. Yesterday I had to water my garden earlier than usual, and in a hurried fashion as I was going out early to have dinner with my darling daughter on her birthday. I must have accidentally sprayed the leaves, a mistake I'll not make again. Fortunately just a couple of leaves were affected.

 

[deluxestogie]

It's always good, when you can make a direct, causal connection between an action and its impact on your tobacco.

Bob

 

[Old Gasman]

That's true, I wouldn't have minded quiet so much much had the meal been good, but it wasn't. But of course it's always lovely to see my darling daughter.

 

[Old Gasman]

Hi chaps, I've not updated my blog lately so here's a few photos. Most of my plants are either primed or hung up in my garage and I feel quiet pleased with my progress. The unknown Virginias which I grew refused to turn properly yellow despite it being nearly 3 months after being transplanted outside, but having said that they turn yellow after being hung. I still remain hopeful.

 

[Old Gasman]

Hi chaps. It's been a good summer here but come September and the first grey autumnal day you know that summer is over, and so it is now. All of my plants are harvested and three quarters of my leaves are dry. The ones that still have a slightly soft mid rib I have flattened down and cut the mid rib out fearing that if I leave them hanging to long they may go mouldy. I put all the flattened leaves into cardboard boxes and I've stood them in the kitchen behind a big glass door and they've turned out super I think. Here's a little photo of my humble effort.

 

[Old Gasman]

Well then chaps I think it's safe to say that this year's blog has come to an end. I went into tobacco growing without a clue really but thanks to this forum and everyone's help I'm delighted with the end results. As I said before I have no kiln nor space to put one so I must let patience suffice so all my leaves are bagged up and put away. I ended up with 1.8kg, doesn't sound much compared with what some of you chaps grow but for me it's a good 3 years worth. I've learnt lots along the way which I can put into practice next year if I am spared. So here's a few photos of the finished job and once again thank you all for your help.

 

[Fgrow]

Looking good to me even if I have very little tobacco growing experience!

 

[Alpine]

Well done! I predict next year grow will be even better!

pier

 

[BristolBaccy]

I'm going to nick your dryer hanging idea! I'm always stumped for hanging space