Wruk53 2024 Grow Log

[wruk53]

What’s the leaf count on the RF and BG?

Average about 6 if you don't count the bottom junk leaves. They're almost ready to top and a lot of the leaf looks ready to prime, so it's not going to be a good yield for those two. I'm thinking that maybe RF and BG are photoperiod types, and the days were still short when they were transplanted, plus the unusually cloudy weather caused them to flower early. Just a guess. The same thing happened one time when I planted Ahus in the early spring.

 

[johnny108]

Strange- BG should give 16-18 leaves, according to Polygon’s site.
No idea what RF should give.
And cold cloudy weather is something 2 German strains should be used to.

 

[deluxestogie]

according to Polygon’s site

...when grown in dirt, in a field, and transplanted at traditional dates with respect to light/dark period. Alternative growth arrangements and alternative timing are likely to yield different results.

Bob

 

[Knucklehead]

Average about 6 if you don't count the bottom junk leaves. They're almost ready to top and a lot of the leaf looks ready to prime, so it's not going to be a good yield for those two. I'm thinking that maybe RF and BG are photoperiod types, and the days were still short when they were transplanted, plus the unusually cloudy weather caused them to flower early. Just a guess. The same thing happened one time when I planted Ahus in the early spring.

https://www.uky.edu/Ag/TobaccoProd/FactSheets/PDF/Premature%20&%20Early%20Bloom.pdf

 

[wruk53]

Tomorrow will be 7 weeks from transplant. I primed the BG and RF 3 or 4 days ago and I might go ahead, and stalk harvest the rest today. The hanging leaf is smaller than they appear in the pics, only about 6 to 8 inches long, but they were mostly yellow when picked.
The OS is beginning to bud, no signs of yellowing on those, so I might end up getting a smaller than usual but decent harvest from them.
I posted today because tomorrow I will be prepping for a Friday colonoscopy and won't feel like doing much else.

 

[Old Gasman]

If I remember correctly prepping for a colonoscopy requires one to stay in close proximity to the facilities, good luck my friend.

 

[deluxestogie]

I'm sure that @wruk53, as a Floridian, is familiar with sometimes having to make sacrifices for the benefit of sightseers.

Bob

 

[wruk53]

I started 24 cells of Bitlis this morning just for something to do. It's kind of late in the season for me because of the upcoming rainy season. Quite often, rainy season is not in full force until mid to late July. Bitlis is an early maturing variety supposedly, so maybe if I can transplant in early May, I may be able to make a crop before it gets too wet. We'll see.
I've been reading some of the old posts by Istanbulin, he said it was one of his favorite Turkish varieties. It sounds like it would make a good blending component for Snus.

 

[wruk53]

I topped my OS this morning and took some before and after pics. After topping, the tallest stalk height is about 18 inches, average leaf count is about 10. The plants are shorter than average this season, but the leaf internode distance is shorter too so I think I will end up with a decent yield. I'll fertilize them heavily for the next 2 weeks then cut it out completely for the next 2 or 3 weeks before harvest.

 

[deluxestogie]

What is that poor outcast, close to the fence in the final photo?

Bob

 

[wruk53]

I'm saving that one for seed. I'll cut off the open blossoms and bag it.

 

[wruk53]

I have at least one Bitlis seedling in each of 24 cells.

One sucker 9 weeks from transplant, 1 week from topping.

 

[wruk53]

It's been 10 weeks from transplant and 2 weeks since topping the One Sucker. The leaves are getting stiff and thickening up nicely. Some of the lower leaves are almost ripe enough to prime.
The Bitlis seedlings are coming along okay. There's a little bit of fuzzy mold on top of the mix, but it doesn't seem to be affecting the plants.

 

[wruk53]

Bitlis seedlings are looking good, 24 days from planting. I set up containers for the Bitlis a few days ago.
I'll prime the One sucker within the next few days. It's been 11 weeks from transplant, 3 weeks from topping.

 

[wruk53]

Bitlis seedlings will be ready to transplant in a week or so.

I primed the One-Sucker last Sunday, I believe, and boxed the leaves for coloring.

We had new energy efficient high impact windows installed last month and painted the house. Our light bill was almost $300 per months last Summer, hopefully the new windows will lower the energy bill. It should, you can hold your hand against the windows when the sun is shining directly on them, and you don't feel any heat coming through at all.

 

[deluxestogie]

Handsome house and windows. Now you need to save up for more comfortable porch seating!

Bob

 

[manfisher]

Bitlis seedlings will be ready to transplant in a week or so.

I primed the One-Sucker last Sunday, I believe, and boxed the leaves for coloring.

We had new energy efficient high impact windows installed last month and painted the house. Our light bill was almost $300 per months last Summer, hopefully the new windows will lower the energy bill. It should, you can hold your hand against the windows when the sun is shining directly on them, and you don't feel any heat coming through at all.

Is that the fuzzy mold on the surface of the plants in the first picture or is that some soil cover? Can't quite tell from the pictures. I have been getting the fuzzy mold on some of my plants and have read conflicting reports: some say its bad and will kill your seedlings while others say its harmless if not beneficial.

 

[wruk53]

Is that the fuzzy mold on the surface of the plants in the first picture or is that some soil cover? Can't quite tell from the pictures. I have been getting the fuzzy mold on some of my plants and have read conflicting reports: some say its bad and will kill your seedlings while others say its harmless if not beneficial.

Yes, it's mold, but it didn't affect the plants. I don't know what caused it, I don't normally have it. Could be a hygiene issue.

 

[WillQuantrill]

Bitlis seedlings will be ready to transplant in a week or so.

I primed the One-Sucker last Sunday, I believe, and boxed the leaves for coloring.

We had new energy efficient high impact windows installed last month and painted the house. Our light bill was almost $300 per months last Summer, hopefully the new windows will lower the energy bill. It should, you can hold your hand against the windows when the sun is shining directly on them, and you don't feel any heat coming through at all.

Curious about how you hang leaf in the color cure stage. What kind of string do you use to thread through the bottom stem? Last year I was using reformed paper clips bunched leaves 2 at a time, but it seemed like it took too much time pulling paper clips back out after fermenting. I thought maybe fishing line?

 

[wruk53]

I unroll a 30-inch piece of wire, make an eye on one end and thread about 40-50 leaves onto it then attach it to a 26-inch stick that has a hanging wire attached to both ends. I hang the sticks of tobacco on a chain that is hanging from the ceiling on two large screw hooks. The wire I use is 16 gauge, but it doesn't have to be that thick.