marksctm
Well-Known Member
Thanks all you guys, I read something about them a while back but could not find it.
If Smokes uses them, than that's good enough for me.
Thanks...
If Smokes uses them, than that's good enough for me.
Thanks...
Bagged Flower Heads
- Thread starter COLIN
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Back in the late 1800s, when all bud bags were made of muslin, Killebrew noted that bagged seed pods contained somewhat fewer seeds than non-bagged heads. Since we're talking about the difference between 1/4 million seeds per plant vs. 1/5 million seeds per plant, I don't think that matters for non-commercial seed producers. My assumption is that the decreased productivity, compared to Agribon-AG15 (no detectable decrease) is the greater heat retention of muslin. All that having been said, I believe that for home growers, either one is fine.
My sense of the situation is that airborne pollen is unlikely to contribute much to pollination, even with unbagged blossoms. The most significant benefit of bagging is the elimination of insect (and hummingbird) transfer of pollen from the blossoms of one plant to other plants (within 1/2 mile radius, more or less). So while a fine Nylon mesh does not stop airborne pollen, it works because it is effective in preventing access by insects and hummingbirds.
Keep in mind that I don't really have good data to support my take on this. So I use the Agribon-AG15.
Bob
My sense of the situation is that airborne pollen is unlikely to contribute much to pollination, even with unbagged blossoms. The most significant benefit of bagging is the elimination of insect (and hummingbird) transfer of pollen from the blossoms of one plant to other plants (within 1/2 mile radius, more or less). So while a fine Nylon mesh does not stop airborne pollen, it works because it is effective in preventing access by insects and hummingbirds.
Keep in mind that I don't really have good data to support my take on this. So I use the Agribon-AG15.
Bob
marksctm
Well-Known Member
Hey Bob,
I was looking at Agribon-AG15 but I didn't want to buy a 50 foot roll when I'm only going to need about 10 bags for this year.
I do though, want to make sure to keep the strains of tobacco I bag pure.
I'm not bagging every strain I'm going to grow this year, but I am going to bag one each, of the best growing strain of African Red, Dutch Ohio, Little Dutch, Florida Sumatra, Izmir Ozbis, Shirey, Silk Leaf, and Silver River.
I was worried what other, it any, types of bags I could use safely.
When you speak of Killebrew, are you speaking of a information site on tobacco? Not the baseball player i'm guessing. (Pardon my ignorance)
Muslin, I can imagine holding in some heat, but should still give me plenty of seed for me and if the seed bank would want or take any.
And I do have one heck of a hummingbird population here, which is just fine with me. If I could only get more bats around here at night to cut down the misquotes.
Thank you Sir for your reply, I truly enjoy reading every thing I can, that you post.
Your knowledge of tobacco (among many other topics) is second to none.
Thanks
I was looking at Agribon-AG15 but I didn't want to buy a 50 foot roll when I'm only going to need about 10 bags for this year.
I do though, want to make sure to keep the strains of tobacco I bag pure.
I'm not bagging every strain I'm going to grow this year, but I am going to bag one each, of the best growing strain of African Red, Dutch Ohio, Little Dutch, Florida Sumatra, Izmir Ozbis, Shirey, Silk Leaf, and Silver River.
I was worried what other, it any, types of bags I could use safely.
When you speak of Killebrew, are you speaking of a information site on tobacco? Not the baseball player i'm guessing. (Pardon my ignorance)
Muslin, I can imagine holding in some heat, but should still give me plenty of seed for me and if the seed bank would want or take any.
And I do have one heck of a hummingbird population here, which is just fine with me. If I could only get more bats around here at night to cut down the misquotes.
Thank you Sir for your reply, I truly enjoy reading every thing I can, that you post.
Your knowledge of tobacco (among many other topics) is second to none.
Thanks
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I would never recommend Agribon to anyone. I used it for the first time last year. Of the 18 bagged plants I had, 4 ended up with holes in them. I have no idea when the holes actually developed so I ended up not saving the seed from those plants. The best stuff I've found is Organza. You can get large Organza bags with the draw string already sewn in for less than $1.50 per bag. I've used the same ones for 5 years now and there is no sign whatsoever of them wearing out. I would estimate that they will easily last 10 years. The ones I use are 22x25 1/2 inches.
http://www.yourorganzabag.com/organzabag.htm
http://www.yourorganzabag.com/organzabag.htm
Whatever bag you use be sure it doesn't absorb water
JBD thanks for the post on bags. I was wondering what I was going to use. I ordered some of the 22x25.5. Last year I used bags that I got from Daniel but I found them a little small. These should have lots of room.
I've found that large grasshoppers (outdoors) and mice (in the hanging shed) eat holes in the Agribon-AG15, and I have no reason to believe that organza would be more resistant to them. I may be dead wrong. I've been very happy with it.
Since I examine my bagged heads daily, I know when one of those quite rare holes appears. If I find a hole, I remove the damaged bag, remove any new blossoms, then re-bag the head.
As for buying a 50' roll of Agribon-AG15, I have found it useful as a floating row cover for new transplants. I just spread a sheet over the transplants loosely, and anchor the sheet with a few small stones. Sun and rain easily pass through. Every few days, I check to make sure that the row cover is not too tight. The growing plants appear to have no trouble lifting the thin material. The row covers minimize air-borne weed seeds, insect damage, storm damage, and the pecking of starlings using the tiny leaves for nesting material. I remove the floating row cover after the transplants reach 8-12" in height. These sheets are then washed and dried for re-use next year.
Last year, I bought a 250' roll, which is much cheaper per linear foot.
Bob
Since I examine my bagged heads daily, I know when one of those quite rare holes appears. If I find a hole, I remove the damaged bag, remove any new blossoms, then re-bag the head.
As for buying a 50' roll of Agribon-AG15, I have found it useful as a floating row cover for new transplants. I just spread a sheet over the transplants loosely, and anchor the sheet with a few small stones. Sun and rain easily pass through. Every few days, I check to make sure that the row cover is not too tight. The growing plants appear to have no trouble lifting the thin material. The row covers minimize air-borne weed seeds, insect damage, storm damage, and the pecking of starlings using the tiny leaves for nesting material. I remove the floating row cover after the transplants reach 8-12" in height. These sheets are then washed and dried for re-use next year.
Last year, I bought a 250' roll, which is much cheaper per linear foot.
Bob
I don't know what material the 5 gal. paint strainers are made of, but I measured the length of mine a little while ago. 21". I may have to pinch off some flower heads for them to be long enough. They are the size of a 5 gal. bucket in circumference.
Yeah mine were full in the end. The plant keeps putting out smaller and smaller blossoms though so eventually I started just picking off the little guys to let the main bulk of good size ones get all the nutrients and finish up.
I guess I am just lazy (and too short). I bag and label them and let them go. I do check periodically to assure the closure at the bottom is tight. After the final priming I let the tops dry until the first hull pops and I see seed. Then I cut the whole thing and put it in a brown paper bag. Later in the fall/winter I remove the cloth bag and shake out any seed.
this means I have as many paper bags as I had varieties bagged. Then when things are dry and "crunchy" I separate seeds from hulls, sift 600/400µ as per Bob's instructions, put seeds in labeled jars and into the fridge. At that time I launder the bags in hot water with bleach. After drying they get stored for next year. -·-
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jekylnz
Well-Known Member
What is the agrabon supposed to be used for in the states,or is it for flower heads??
Agribon is a spun polyester fabric that comes in a number of thicknesses. The AG15 is the thinnest, and is used by commercial growers of vegetables as an effective insect barrier. The heavier grades are used for frost protection and shade.
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/search.aspx?SearchTerm=agribon
Bob
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/search.aspx?SearchTerm=agribon
Bob
jekylnz
Well-Known Member
Cheers for that bob
DonH
Well-Known Member
Looks like they aren't selling the 22 x 25 size bags on that site.
DonH I just received notice from Stamps.com that the ones I ordered were shipped this morning. They have them on sale now, 2.50 less than i paid. Try this link.
http://www.giftsintl.com/organzabag.php
http://www.giftsintl.com/organzabag.php
Look toward the bottom of the page. White
DonH
Well-Known Member
I see it now, thanks! Also thanks Lakota for the other link.
leverhead
Well-Known Member
Thanks Lakota, I'm on that like white on rice.
Me too. Ordered mine.
I feel sorry for all those brides getting married this spring. They are going to try to get some Organza bags and you guys have probably created a worldwide shortage...
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