You don't. Izmir is for blending in pipe mixtures and cigarettes. (Actually, I've rolled an Izmir puro. It just tasted like a fat little cigarette.)
Bob
Photo of my tobacco - OldDinosaur
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Bob
OldDinosaurWesH
Well-Known Member
I just grew the Turkish for fun. I'm not a fan of Turkish blended cigarettes (without mentioning any name brands). I have a friend who likes Turkish blend cigarettes. I've been trying to get him into home growing, but he doesn't seem to have the green thumb touch. I'm probably just wasting my time, but I keep trying. More home growers are a good thing. In all, I sent seedlings to three different places this season. I had one complete crop failure, and two with fairly poor results. And all these people claim to be gardeners. Tobacco isn't that hard. Or is it? I didn't think so. Maybe I'm wrong. I gave a couple of ornamentals to a woman I know who has a degree in Agronomy, and she killed both of them. So anyway, I've got a way to go on getting other people started on home growing...But I'll keep trying!
If I had the urge for a Turkish blended cigarette, WLT sells all the Turkish I could ever need for modest $$. (I know, I have some.)
Wes H.
If I had the urge for a Turkish blended cigarette, WLT sells all the Turkish I could ever need for modest $$. (I know, I have some.)
Wes H.
And pipe?
Bob
Bob
OldDinosaurWesH
Well-Known Member
Well, there's always a first. I haven't smoked a pipe since college. I guess I've got lots of different tobaccos to experiment with. I understand Little Dutch is a good pipe tobacco. Maybe I should plant a few of those next year just for fun. What's the point in growing the stuff if you can't play with it a little?
Wes H.
Wes H.
Pinch your pennies for a few months (No more lattes at the Starbucks!), then splurge on a Missouri Meerschaum grab bag: http://corncobpipe.com/10-pipe-grab-bag-of-smokable-seconds.html. Ten cob pipes for $34. It's silly to buy a nice briar for a starter. You can whittle a nice pipe nail.
Bob
Bob
OldDinosaurWesH
Well-Known Member
That wouldn't be hard. The nearest Starbuck's is 30 miles away. I just drink the regular stuff I make at home anyway. I buy Starbucks bags occasionally when it comes on sale or a coupon. My taste isn't that discriminating. I lived in Seattle for a while, but never really became a Seattleite. (Thankfully!) Interestingly, the building I worked in near downtown, was across the railroad tracks from the Starbucks roasting plant. They brought their coffee beans in by the carload. When they started roasting, the smell got pretty strong. We were downwind, and the whole neighborhood smelled like coffee. We were also less than a mile from the (now defunct) Rainier brewery. Formerly, a major regional brand name.
I thought Meerschaum was a rock that was mined?
I have wood working equipment, maybe I need a new hobby. I have a few odds and ends of exotic hardwoods in my stash of wood. Then I'd have to get a different shredder. Pipe is considerably coarser that cigs.
Who knows? You're never too old to learn a few new tricks.
Wes H.
I thought Meerschaum was a rock that was mined?
I have wood working equipment, maybe I need a new hobby. I have a few odds and ends of exotic hardwoods in my stash of wood. Then I'd have to get a different shredder. Pipe is considerably coarser that cigs.
Who knows? You're never too old to learn a few new tricks.
Wes H.
Alpine
Moderator
Who knows? You're never too old to learn a few new tricks.
Wes H.[/QUOTE]
"If you stop learning, you might as well stop living."
I can't remember who said this, but I find it very true.
Pier
Wes H.[/QUOTE]
"If you stop learning, you might as well stop living."
I can't remember who said this, but I find it very true.
Pier
ChinaVoodoo
Moderator
It is. But Missouri Meerschaum is the witty name of a corn cob pipe making company in Missouri.
The tools for making a briar or other wooden pipe are a metal lathe and a belt/disk sander. The metal lathe is used for precise drilling and shaping all the components.
If you're interested, look up some sources for briar blocks (actually chunks of the spherical root of a variety of heath plant).
Bob
EDIT: I've hand whittled a pipe of applewood, but it shows it.
OldDinosaurWesH
Well-Known Member
I suspected that. You have confirmed it. Do corncobs burn out or otherwise last as long as more traditional pipes?
Meerschaum, ah, now I see it, Sepiolite : Mg4 Si6 O15 (OH)2 . 6H20 a hydrous Magnesium Silicate clay. Mohs scale hardness 2. Found in association with Magnesite, (Magnesium Carbonate), and usually associated with Serpentinacious rocks. I'll have to look in Sinkankas, and see if he mentions it. If it is not in Sinkankas, it is really obscure, or not mineralogically important. John Sinkankas' "Mineralogy" was first published in 1964, is still a standard Mineralogy reference book, aka: "the Bible".
Have you ever heard of pipes being made of Talc, aka: "Soapstone"? Mg3Si4O10 (OH)2. I have some big chunks of that, that I collected up in the Cascades a few years ago. Talc is soft, easy to carve, and resistant to heat, among its other properties. Talc is mineralogically similar to Sepiolite, and found in similar types of deposits. Just curious.
I also have a cluster of Actinolite, which is found directly associated with Talc. When found in its fibrous massive state, Actinolite is the semi-precious stone known as Nephrite Jade. (less valuable) Vs. the Jadeite Jade (more valuable). But, that is probably enough Mineralogy for one day.
Wes H.
Meerschaum, ah, now I see it, Sepiolite : Mg4 Si6 O15 (OH)2 . 6H20 a hydrous Magnesium Silicate clay. Mohs scale hardness 2. Found in association with Magnesite, (Magnesium Carbonate), and usually associated with Serpentinacious rocks. I'll have to look in Sinkankas, and see if he mentions it. If it is not in Sinkankas, it is really obscure, or not mineralogically important. John Sinkankas' "Mineralogy" was first published in 1964, is still a standard Mineralogy reference book, aka: "the Bible".
Have you ever heard of pipes being made of Talc, aka: "Soapstone"? Mg3Si4O10 (OH)2. I have some big chunks of that, that I collected up in the Cascades a few years ago. Talc is soft, easy to carve, and resistant to heat, among its other properties. Talc is mineralogically similar to Sepiolite, and found in similar types of deposits. Just curious.
I also have a cluster of Actinolite, which is found directly associated with Talc. When found in its fibrous massive state, Actinolite is the semi-precious stone known as Nephrite Jade. (less valuable) Vs. the Jadeite Jade (more valuable). But, that is probably enough Mineralogy for one day.
Wes H.
OldDinosaurWesH
Well-Known Member
Okay, applewood is another thing I can get. We grow a few apples here in Washington State. I have a belt sander, and can get access to a metal lathe.
Stop putting ideas into my head!
Wes H.
Stop putting ideas into my head!
Wes H.
Small book on the basics: http://vermontfreehand.com/product/pimos-guide-to-pipe-crafting-at-home/
That same site (http://vermontfreehand.com/), as well a numerous other site, offer specialized tools and components for pipe making.
Bob
Edit: just buy a corncob! I own bunches. One has lasted nearly half a century.
That same site (http://vermontfreehand.com/), as well a numerous other site, offer specialized tools and components for pipe making.
Bob
Edit: just buy a corncob! I own bunches. One has lasted nearly half a century.
ChinaVoodoo
Moderator
A few apples. Haha. I found Washington apples in the Coonoor Market. Coonoor Market
NH 67, Vannarpet, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu 643101, India
+91 94420 80661
https://goo.gl/maps/u3rDLKCDXnB2
OldDinosaurWesH
Well-Known Member
Okay, maybe a few million...apple trees. However many are on 175,000 acres.
Wes H.
Wes H.
DistillingJim
Well-Known Member
Pipesmoking is also supposed to be significantly healthier than cigarette smoking (although I suspect that may depend on if the smoker inhales the pipe smoke)
OldDinosaurWesH
Well-Known Member
Photos from today.
Photo one, my nine plus footers, what's left of them. Bolivia Criollo Dark, and Kentucky 17, headed for the curing room. I have some time this weekend, so it's "off with their heads", so to speak. Rather than get the ladder out to pick them, I'm just going to dig the stalks out of the ground pick the usable leaves, and put the leftovers in the trash. (Just trying to be efficient with my time. We pesky accountants.)
Photo two, Gold leaf 939. This was such a nice looking plant, I just never got around to picking it and killing it off. It has a beautiful symmetrical seed head on it. I'm thinking about drying the seed head and making a "dry arrangement" centerpiece out of it.
Photo three, something you can do if you have long thick stems left over from rolling / shredding is make a "dry arrangement". Something I discovered by accident. Take the dried out stems and moisten them thoroughly. Put the stems in a sealed bag overnight to absorb the moisture. The next day, take the moist stems, bundle them together at the base with a rubber-band or similar device, and put the bundle in an appropriately sized flower vase. Watch the tops twist and turn as they dry out. You get this interesting looking spray of a bundle that is both attractive, and a sure conversation starter. Just an idea. This process works best with large thick stems that are both long and substantially tapered down to a fine point at the top.
Wes H.
Photo one, my nine plus footers, what's left of them. Bolivia Criollo Dark, and Kentucky 17, headed for the curing room. I have some time this weekend, so it's "off with their heads", so to speak. Rather than get the ladder out to pick them, I'm just going to dig the stalks out of the ground pick the usable leaves, and put the leftovers in the trash. (Just trying to be efficient with my time. We pesky accountants.)
Photo two, Gold leaf 939. This was such a nice looking plant, I just never got around to picking it and killing it off. It has a beautiful symmetrical seed head on it. I'm thinking about drying the seed head and making a "dry arrangement" centerpiece out of it.
Photo three, something you can do if you have long thick stems left over from rolling / shredding is make a "dry arrangement". Something I discovered by accident. Take the dried out stems and moisten them thoroughly. Put the stems in a sealed bag overnight to absorb the moisture. The next day, take the moist stems, bundle them together at the base with a rubber-band or similar device, and put the bundle in an appropriately sized flower vase. Watch the tops twist and turn as they dry out. You get this interesting looking spray of a bundle that is both attractive, and a sure conversation starter. Just an idea. This process works best with large thick stems that are both long and substantially tapered down to a fine point at the top.
Wes H.
Tobacco stem art. That's a new one for me.
If you preserve the seed head for display, I would suggest a heavy coat of urethane varnish. Otherwise your table will get a dusting of tobacco seed any time it's bumped.
Bob
If you preserve the seed head for display, I would suggest a heavy coat of urethane varnish. Otherwise your table will get a dusting of tobacco seed any time it's bumped.
Bob
OldDinosaurWesH
Well-Known Member
More photos from today.
Photo one, I cut a wide swath today. Ky 17 gone. All but one Bolivia gone.
Photo two, roots, stems, etc. filling my garbage to overflowing. Too bad all that poundage isn't good for something.
Photo three, Grand Champion tallest plant of the year. Bolivia Criollo Dark at 10' 5" from the stem to the crown. What's left of it is in photos two and four.
Photo four, today's pickings. 303 leaves total.
Total leaf count for this season: 8,185. I still have three small plants to harvest that will increase this number somewhat. Other than that, there are lots of suckers out there. If I get around to picking them. If I do pick suckers, I wouldn't include them in my official year to date count. Suckers would get a separate accounting. We'll see. No frost in the 10 day forecast.
And of course, lots of stems and roots to dig up and discard. Probably at least two more garbage cans full, maybe three. I didn't count, but the leftovers of about 35 plants are in the garbage. Plus some actual household garbage. Those Bolivia's made some really big stems. There are probably bigger stems out there, but these are the biggest I have ever seen. I had to get my pruning loppers out to cut them up.
Wes H.
And my back hurts!
Photo one, I cut a wide swath today. Ky 17 gone. All but one Bolivia gone.
Photo two, roots, stems, etc. filling my garbage to overflowing. Too bad all that poundage isn't good for something.
Photo three, Grand Champion tallest plant of the year. Bolivia Criollo Dark at 10' 5" from the stem to the crown. What's left of it is in photos two and four.
Photo four, today's pickings. 303 leaves total.
Total leaf count for this season: 8,185. I still have three small plants to harvest that will increase this number somewhat. Other than that, there are lots of suckers out there. If I get around to picking them. If I do pick suckers, I wouldn't include them in my official year to date count. Suckers would get a separate accounting. We'll see. No frost in the 10 day forecast.
And of course, lots of stems and roots to dig up and discard. Probably at least two more garbage cans full, maybe three. I didn't count, but the leftovers of about 35 plants are in the garbage. Plus some actual household garbage. Those Bolivia's made some really big stems. There are probably bigger stems out there, but these are the biggest I have ever seen. I had to get my pruning loppers out to cut them up.
Wes H.
And my back hurts!
Last edited:
OldDinosaurWesH
Well-Known Member
Like I said, an accidental discovery. I noticed that when the stems I had removed from the leaves got crispy dried out that they got all twisty and crooked. So that's my little bit of art. I'm not naturally artistic, so it's usually an accidental thing on my part. I can't draw a decent line without a straight edge! Although I'm reasonably good at flower arranging. And I do have a good eye for colors. I guess that's why I like art glass. All bright and shiny. Fine art stuff puts me to sleep. Mona who? Isn't a Pollock a fish?
Bob:
Good advice on the seed head idea. I'll procure the necessary material from my local lumber yard...Or maybe the craft store. That would be a new experience.
Wes H.
Bob:
Good advice on the seed head idea. I'll procure the necessary material from my local lumber yard...Or maybe the craft store. That would be a new experience.
Wes H.
Since you have good numbers for this year, you can come up with reasonably reliable estimates of ounces of cured leaf per plant, for each variety. Weigh a couple of representative strings of cured leaf for each variety, subtract the wire, then extrapolate. I'd be curious to see the yields.
My very first year of growing tobacco, I actually weighed all the cured leaf from each of 4 varieties. My Kelly Burley that year yielded 1/2 pound of cured leaf per plant. About 1/3 pound for Hickory Pryor and Perique variety. I've never counted leaves or weighed the yield since then--way too much work.
Your potted stalk art is not as vibrant and dynamic as the potted stem art. But it's definitely more incisive. If you have the means, and it's permitted in your area, you can pile and dry the stalks for a few months, then burn them for a soil supplement (or maybe that would be a soil repayment).
Bob
My very first year of growing tobacco, I actually weighed all the cured leaf from each of 4 varieties. My Kelly Burley that year yielded 1/2 pound of cured leaf per plant. About 1/3 pound for Hickory Pryor and Perique variety. I've never counted leaves or weighed the yield since then--way too much work.
Your potted stalk art is not as vibrant and dynamic as the potted stem art. But it's definitely more incisive. If you have the means, and it's permitted in your area, you can pile and dry the stalks for a few months, then burn them for a soil supplement (or maybe that would be a soil repayment).
Bob
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