First grow documenting, Wild Aztec Rustica: @Pj654

[Pj654]

My first time growing, growing rustica, I have 60-70 of them hoping I have some success I am bit worried they are stunted and a bit behind they stayed in the tray for to long. Their roots however were insane so that's good. They are spaced 15 ish inches apart. I won't lie I got kinda sloppy as it was starting to rain and my head was hurting. Just got them in the dirt a couple days ago.

Going to use this to document my journey.

 

[Pj654]

A lot more shade than I thought, this may be a wasted effort

 

[Pj654]

Week one complete.
Most of the original / "inside" leafs have died off now and they all have 2-3 new growing in. Thus they look about the same but I'm seeing them start to take off, last two or three days they got adjusted and their production has started, before that I got a bit worried as they all looked like they were done for as they all looked dead, the new growth real rich deep vibrant green so that's reassuring. Will continue feeding until established with larger growth. About 10 hrs of sun, the rest is "marbled" sun ( shadows of leaf and branches bouncing around, but still get some sun )
Still very concerned on time. Hopefully they do ok. I officially have 60 days of very long hot days, and 30 shorter cooler days afterwards. Fingers crossed. Curing might be hard though, its usually very humid and cool out. I'll have to figure something out

 

[Pj654]

Not much growth really. Healthier and hopefully established now, they have become MUCH stronger and erect, before water would knock em down etc, now they are very strong and crisp
All original leaves are all gone pretty much now so I think? They should be taking off soon hopefully. Sun does not come in, in the morning as much as I thought but I think they'll be fine, they are sheltered from hail and wind pretty well at least, without the shading / shelter from surrounding trees they would've been destroyed more than once now there's been some real gnarly weather lol. So give and take I guess.
Week 2 complete.

 

[deluxestogie]

Partial shade is usually not a problem. Partial shade provided by nearby trees may be a problem. If the tobacco is attempting to grow within the canopy radius (crude estimate of the tree's root zone), then the tobacco growth is likely to be stunted.

Bob

 

[Pj654]

Partial shade is usually not a problem. Partial shade provided by nearby trees may be a problem. If the tobacco is attempting to grow within the canopy radius (crude estimate of the tree's root zone), then the tobacco growth is likely to be stunted.

Bob

Indeed they are. Hopefully they do ok. I guess will just have to see. The dirt was covered in compost so hopefully will do ok I am feeding as well.
Thanks! Can only wait and see now.

 

[Pj654]

Still not really any growth, they've been getting utterly battered by hail. Will let them go but not sure I'm going to be getting much fingers crossed for a late fall this year. Quite a few have a lot of new growth but again, keep getting destroyed

 

[Pj654]

Some actual growth starting with the rain and shine. Think they finally recovered from hail and such. Hopefully these sets of leaves get established before they're destroyed lol . Some have shot up quite a lot, many tiny still.

 

[Pj654]

Now that they actually set and not getting beaten to shit ( knock on wood ) do you think I still may have a chance ?

 

[johnny108]

Now that they actually set and not getting beaten to shit ( knock on wood ) do you think I still may have a chance ?

When is your first frost date for this year?
(You will want to top them at least 30 days before this, and keep them suckered during this time.)
I would pull/hoe all the weeds in the patch- tobacco isn’t a good competitor.
With another month or two, Aztec should give you 6-8 leaves per plant.

 

[Knucklehead]

Now that they actually set and not getting beaten to shit ( knock on wood ) do you think I still may have a chance ?

How close are the tree roots?

 

[Pj654]

When is your first frost date for this year?
(You will want to top them at least 30 days before this, and keep them suckered during this time.)
I would pull/hoe all the weeds in the patch- tobacco isn’t a good competitor.
With another month or two, Aztec should give you 6-8 leaves per plant.

First frost according to google average is 10-12 weeks away. (Sept 10-20th)
And ok great, I'll follow that plan and top them around August 10th or so thanks!
Yes I need to do a ton of weeding everywhere been lazy! I will get to that.

 

[Pj654]

How close are the tree roots?

Honestly not sure. I would not be surprised / id assume they are under the plants. I wasn't thinking about that I was excited because there was tons of mulch and leafs piled for there for a long time so I thought the soil would be good but didn't account for the fact trees be sucking everything out the soil / I really haven't anywhere else to grow them anyways. I have been feeding though. Oh well! We live and learn can only just wait I suppose. I think next couple weeks should be telling on how they'll be now that they are established. As long as hail doesn't say hi again for the billionth time.

 

[Pj654]

Has anyone cured in cold weather dropping to 0 or so at night? I've seen some documentation of people leaving plants till snow and still cured it fine etc but not any information.
Is it possible to cure maybe in tubs pile method with dehydration bags

 

[johnny108]

“Freeze curing” is a desperation “either this or nothing” method.
It isn’t reliable, and the quality isn’t great.
For chlorophyll to break down during color curing, requires temperatures above around 12C/53F. Preferably warmer, with high humidity around 80%.
This can be done in ones living room, for example. Or, a PVC pipe frame can be covered with a plastic tarp and a seedling heating mat, or strong light bulb can be used in an unheated garage, shed, etc.
Aztec is known for being difficult to cure.
I’ve had great luck with Sun curing it.
A windowsill grown Geudertheimer I grew over the winter, and stalk cured on the bookshelf, because the cellar was too cold.
My Aztec Sun cure grow blog:

My window and balcony: @johnny108

Just air cure for now, No kilning. I use it in snus, after a considerable resting time (longer than tobaccum) i get a berry like taste, quite plesant actually. Tho rediculusly strong on its own, and the texture isnt great(doesent stick together). I usually mix it with tubaccum at about 1/3...

fairtradetobacco.com

 

[Pj654]

“Freeze curing” is a desperation “either this or nothing” method.
It isn’t reliable, and the quality isn’t great.
For chlorophyll to break down during color curing, requires temperatures above around 12C/53F. Preferably warmer, with high humidity around 80%.
This can be done in ones living room, for example. Or, a PVC pipe frame can be covered with a plastic tarp and a seedling heating mat, or strong light bulb can be used in an unheated garage, shed, etc.
Aztec is known for being difficult to cure.
I’ve had great luck with Sun curing it.
A windowsill grown Geudertheimer I grew over the winter, and stalk cured on the bookshelf, because the cellar was too cold.
My Aztec Sun cure grow blog:

My window and balcony: @johnny108

Just air cure for now, No kilning. I use it in snus, after a considerable resting time (longer than tobaccum) i get a berry like taste, quite plesant actually. Tho rediculusly strong on its own, and the texture isnt great(doesent stick together). I usually mix it with tubaccum at about 1/3...

fairtradetobacco.com

Sounds good thank you
Would straight from dirt into a closet be fine ?

 

[johnny108]

That might work.
With Aztec, you probably won’t get many signs of ripeness- yellowing, alligator texture, etc. but after 30 days post-topping, you will have pretty much maxed out the nicotine levels (45 days is the limit- nothing more is produced after that).
A better choice would be stalk curing the whole plant in a sunny window.

 

[Pj654]

That might work.
With Aztec, you probably won’t get many signs of ripeness- yellowing, alligator texture, etc. but after 30 days post-topping, you will have pretty much maxed out the nicotine levels (45 days is the limit- nothing more is produced after that).
A better choice would be stalk curing the whole plant in a sunny window.

Great. Thank you

 

[Pj654]

Bunch of them are finally showing real growth. Been raining a lot and not beaten by hail, they've been loving it.

 

[Pj654]

Week #4 showing some signs of hope? Idk.