Slow growing plants

[Panosagr24]

Hello, i am worried that my tobacco plants are growing really slow. I sow the seeds in the first week of april and transplanted at the field in the first week of June. The 3 rows at left are Black sea samsun and 2 at left basma shirazy. I live in greece so the climate is ideal. Water 2 times a week.Fertilizer added twice once typical tomato Fertilizer and the second time potassium and magnesium. Thanks a lot.

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum. You may wish to read the New Growers' FAQ, and scan through the topics in our Index of Key Forum Threads. Both are linked in the menu bar.

To me, the plants look fairly typical for 4-5 weeks after transplant.

Bob

 

[Knucklehead]

I see some downward cupping on some of the younger leaves on some of the plants. That could possibly indicate a calcium deficiency or a pH imbalance. I would recommend a soil test.

Tobacco - Calcium (Ca) Deficiency | NC State Extension Publications

Calcium (Ca) is essential for proper plant development and leaf expansion. A calcium deficiency will first manifest in the youngest foliage because Ca is an immobile element within the plant. As calcium deficiency progresses, the developmental damages will also advance. The integral role of...

content.ces.ncsu.edu

calcium deficiency

Calcium Deficiency | Burley Tobacco Extension

Note the constricted tips on the leaves. Symptoms may be related to root development, although it is more common during late season drought. Symptoms may be described as making the leaf heart-shaped.

burleytobaccoextension.ca.uky.edu

 

[Alpine]

Welcome to FTT.
I agree with @deluxestogie , the plants look good. Don’t expect huge plants: those are oriental strains, not burleys…

pier

 

[wruk53]

They look pretty good to me. For the first several weeks, the plants are developing their roots, then the above parts really take off. I know how you feel though, I always feel like they should be larger by that time.

 

[Panosagr24]

Thank you all for the replies. The truth is thats my first time growing tobacco and im really looking forward to see them thriving. @Knucklehead i will definetely check ph and add calcium if needed.
Ps sorry for any faults with my english

 

[Old Gasman]

They look just fine to me, as Alpine said, oriental varieties dont grow as big as other types. Stick at it.

 

[cavedane]

Hey from Denmark ..looks fine .. Oh I would like trying grow in your soil and climate.......... I cant stop wondering ...if you add the Fertiliser in the water.. can all roots reach it .I make the lower points between and close to the plants.
Then I dont have to water so much ( I know different climate ) We have all our different ways to doo things Good luck.

 

[Panosagr24]

@cavedane hahaha yes i think im really blessed to grow oriental tobacco at its original location the soil is perfect, and the sun is making the plants taste better haha. Thanks for the advice for mixing water with fertilizer! I do this when the seedlings are small so i dont kill them.

 

[slouch]

@cavedane hahaha yes i think im really blessed to grow oriental tobacco at its original location the soil is perfect, and the sun is making the plants taste better haha. Thanks for the advice for mixing water with fertilizer! I do this when the seedlings are small so i dont kill them.

I know it’s your first time growing but I figured I’d ask if you have any valuable tips for orientals being that you may be around other oriental tobacco or people who have grown it in Greece.
I am currently in Florida USA and growing 3 oriental varieties this year xanthi, bafra, and Shirazi anyways I look forward to seeing how your plants turn out best of luck.

 

[deluxestogie]

Check the "Orientals" section of our Index of Key Forum Threads for the link to a free book on Turkish Tobacco.

Bob

 

[slouch]

Check the "Orientals" section of our Index of Key Forum Threads for the link to a free book on Turkish Tobacco.

Bob

Thanks bob will do!

 

[Panosagr24]

I know it’s your first time growing but I figured I’d ask if you have any valuable tips for orientals being that you may be around other oriental tobacco or people who have grown it in Greece.
I am currently in Florida USA and growing 3 oriental varieties this year xanthi, bafra, and Shirazi anyways I look forward to seeing how your plants turn out best of luck.

Fortunately my city has a history of growing tobacco so i know from older people some tips. Firstly you should start oriental tobacco during the dry season of florida because too much water can really decrease the quality of the tobacco. Also you have to minimize the fertilazation and add small quantities up to a month after transpanting into the field. Furthermore its important to mention that you should transpalnt oriental varieties really close, your goal is to achieve short plants with small leaves, so the aromas and tase are consetrated. Another important step is to prime the leaves 2-3 as they become ripe starting from the bottom of the plant(discard 3 leaves from the base of the plants) and for the best result sun cure them. Best hours for harvesting are before the sunrise as the oils of aromatic leaves are at the peak. Lastly do not top the plants. Traditionaly tobacco growers in Greece used to harvest the flower and follow the process as they would be leaves and blend them in tobacco as it gives a unique taste. Good luck with your plants!

 

[slouch]

Fortunately my city has a history of growing tobacco so i know from older people some tips. Firstly you should start oriental tobacco during the dry season of florida because too much water can really decrease the quality of the tobacco. Also you have to minimize the fertilazation and add small quantities up to a month after transpanting into the field. Furthermore its important to mention that you should transpalnt oriental varieties really close, your goal is to achieve short plants with small leaves, so the aromas and tase are consetrated. Another important step is to prime the leaves 2-3 as they become ripe starting from the bottom of the plant(discard 3 leaves from the base of the plants) and for the best result sun cure them. Best hours for harvesting are before the sunrise as the oils of aromatic leaves are at the peak. Lastly do not top the plants. Traditionaly tobacco growers in Greece used to harvest the flower and follow the process as they would be leaves and blend them in tobacco as it gives a unique taste. Good luck with your plants!

Thank you sir for the valuable information, that last bit about blending the flowers in is something I did not know but something I will have to try and see for myself come harvest. Good luck with your plants as well sir may you have a bountiful harvest.

 

[Panosagr24]

Hello, last Wednesday i primed the first batch of leaves of samsun and hanged them in the sun after 12 or so hours. Im worried that as a first time grower they have flash dried. I dont think they have color cured in the sun due to low humitidy because of the heatwave we have in Greece right now(temps are at 42 celcius or 107 f). Are they trash?

 

[wruk53]

Are they trash?

Hard to say from pictures, some of it looks salvageable. In the future, let the leaf change color before hanging in the sun unless the humidity is in the proper range. Once the leaf turns yellow, it can be dried as fast as you want without affecting the quality. Proper humidity is key, don't let the leaf dry before it changes color.

 

[Panosagr24]

Hard to say from pictures, some of it looks salvageable. In the future, let the leaf change color before hanging in the sun unless the humidity is in the proper range. Once the leaf turns yellow, it can be dried as fast as you want without affecting the quality. Proper humidity is key, don't let the leaf dry before it changes color.

Yeah i think i learned the hard way..

 

[johnny108]

Bring them into case and put them on a sunny windowsill- sunlight will break down the chlorophyll and maybe give you something smokable.

 

[Panosagr24]

Today I primed the second hand of leaves. I have placed the leaves in a cardboard box in order to become fully ripe and after i will sun cure them. Hoping this time i ll have success and not flash drying them again

 

[Panosagr24]

Hello, yesterday I started kilning my samsun leaves at 70-80% RH and 47-53oC. Before putting them in the kiln i rehydrated by spraying them with distiled water and they are moist but not really pliable as i think they should be. I read a thread about tobacco case( not the spray) and it states that it should be pliable in order to be kilned succes fully. Do i need to change something?