Florida Dave’s first attempt to grow

[Florida Dave]

Well, thanks to this forum, a simple question from Bob and a book called “grow your own cigars” I have put a couple of dozen itty bitty teeny tiny seeds on wet paper towels in ziplock bags tonight. I am planning for 12-16 plants in the backyard. I will have a couple of months to figure out shed space and/or a kiln. I am trying Connecticut Broadleaf, Havana long leaf, and Habano 2000.

 

[GreenDragon]

Hey Dave! A Florida native here. What part of the state are you in? Depending on where you are you may need to heavily amend your soil. Best of luck and welcome to the forum!

 

[Florida Dave]

Hey Dave! A Florida native here. What part of the state are you in? Depending on where you are you may need to heavily amend your soil. Best of luck and welcome to the forum!

I’m in Clay county, NE Florida. I am going to till the top and use a raised bed with bagged garden soil and composted cow manure. I initially was going to use containers but it will be easier directly in the ground.

 

[GreenDragon]

I’m in Clay county, NE Florida. I am going to till the top and use a raised bed with bagged garden soil and composted cow manure. I initially was going to use containers but it will be easier directly in the ground.

Yes, that sounds like a good plan for that area. I'm from Jacksonville myself. Also strongly recommend staking or some other wind protection. Best of luck!

 

[Florida Dave]

This morning I have germination starting in two of the varieties. I had added Connecticut shade and that is one that has started. I would attach a picture but I couldn’t line up the camera with the magnifying glass lol

 

[Florida Dave]

For something that is supposed to be a weed, the sprouts are mighty fragile. At least in here in Florida... although I definitely DO NOT have a green thumb. Selected sprouts have been sitting on Miracle Grow seed starting soil in 3" pots and they don't seem to be doing much other than dying here or there. I had some back up sprouts in 2 ounce souffle cups with clear lids but someone left the lids off this morning after replacing some of the disappearing ones ... I may start some more replacements in a week or so just to make sure I get the 12-16 plants I want. I did place an order for 1020 trays, humidity domes, and inserts so I will have fewer random cups and pots around the house and patio. LOL

 

[deluxestogie]

Photos would be welcome.

Bob

 

[Florida Dave]

 

[Knucklehead]

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What are you doing for lighting?
Some of them look leggy, as though searching for light.
How often and how long are they staying in the direct sunlight?
Are you watering from the bottom or just misting the top surface of the soil?

 

[deluxestogie]

Actually, for ~3 weeks from starting germination, their overall size is typical.

Bob

 

[Florida Dave]

What are you doing for lighting?
Some of them look leggy, as though searching for light.
How often and how long are they staying in the direct sunlight?
Are you watering from the bottom or just misting the top surface of the soil?

The sprouts were in my bedroom window sill on the north side of the house. I had the pots in a spare bedroom on the east side for 2 weeks and are now on the back porch which isn’t in direct sun on the north west corner of the house. Temps are near 70 over night and upper 80s during the day. I was misting them but now I have them in trays I will be bottom watering.

 

[Knucklehead]

You should be in good shape now. They will start responding alot better to the bottom watering and more light. Once they get about dime size you can start letting the soil dry out between waterings to encourage the roots to go down and out searching for moisture. Otherwise the roots will just stay near the upper half of the soil and not develop as well or support larger leaves. Letting them get some wind will also make the plants strengthen the stem to resist those air currents. All of this will be a benefit when you release them to the wild. Best of luck with your season. You're in a great spot.

 

[GreenDragon]

If you are in Florida, then there is no need to start them inside the house at this time of year. They look very leggy - not enough light. Put them outside somewhere that gets morning sun. As they get older gradually move them until they receive 6-8 hours of sunlight. Water from the bottom. Tobacco likes it warm, sunny, and humid - which pretty much describes J-ville to a T.

 

[Florida Dave]

As of today, there are 10 of the original seedlings still alive. June 5 I sprinkled some criollo seeds on seed starting soil in 3 of the empty pots and germination is already happening. All of the pots are in a 1020 tray and everything gets bottom watered. The night time temperature are around 70 and daytime is mid 80’s to 90.

 

[Florida Dave]

These 2 pictures were taken about 12 1/2 hours apart today. While the angles are slightly different there was visible growth in a short time.

 

[Florida Dave]

So just about 2 months in for most of these plants. The row without marker sticks are criollo that I started as fillers was seeds down on the soil as of June 5. I picked up a soil ph meter and checked a couple of the pots : 7. The soil is miracle grow seed starting mix and it never occurred to me to check it. I am considering souring the water I use to water them with sulfuric acid to bring it down to about 6. I am interested to hear thoughts on this idea …

 

[Florida Dave]

Finally got some survivors in the ground. By rows, Con Shade, Con Broadleaf, Havana long leaf. The Criollo back ups will go in the remaining space next week. They are doing much better than the initial attempts. I did less fussing with them … maybe that helps?

 

[Knucklehead]

Your plants look great. Best of luck with your season!

 

[Florida Dave]

What a difference a week makes

 

[Florida Dave]

Idalia pretty much missed us, thankfully we only saw 40-50 mph winds here I had to stake and tie some back up, the shade cloth held up better than I expected which I think has helped protect the plants from some of the more serious rain the ones not under the shade are criollo and I will compare the leaf condition with those under the shade I would almost swear you can watch them grow now I am looking to start priming some time in October

I realize that I got a late start but being in Florida the weather should be in my favor. I will start earlier next year and maybe get two plantings in. I am considering Florida Sumatra , Samsun, and maybe Pennsylvania red for next year. I am growing strictly for rolling cigars and playing with blending varieties so suggestions for next year are welcome.