G'day from down under! @orlad

[orlad]

Hey everyone, been spending a lot of time digging these forums, and my seeds arrived this morning so figured it's about time I chimed in!

The prices for commercial cigarettes here are wild (AUD $80-$100+ for a 30g pouch). Thankfully the under-the-counter imported tobacco is pretty good, affordable, and easy to find, but loving my gardening I figured I'll try growing my own smokes.

It's mid-winter here in Victoria so think I have around 2 months before starting the seeds in spring.
Thinking I'll germinate them in a seed tray with one of those transparent plastic cover, with just a standard seed starting mix.
I've got my hands on Virginia Gold, Burley Golden, Kentucky 15, and Turkish Izmir, growing with the end goal of making RYO cigarette tobacco.
(Also included was a gift of "Himal Mix", if anyone recognizes what that could be?)

Now I'm wondering how necessary having a whole seedling starter set up is. Do I need to set up lights and heat mats, or would trays by a window that gets plenty sun be alright?
Anyone else from Victoria or a similar climate here that can recommend what could be a good time/month to start germinating. I know around 20-27c degrees is ideal, so I'm hoping the window would be fine especially when the days get warmer.
But still concerned about the temperatures in spring, both for germinating but also once the seedlings have grown and transplanting them outside, maybe I'll have to wait a bit longer till late oct-early nov??

I'll be sure to start a grow blog as things kick-off.

Cheers everyone!! Keen as to be a part of the community now and the beginning of what has already become a very addictive hobby

 

[JungleGhost]

nice

 

[jclif43]

Welcome!

 

[Knucklehead]

Welcome. Thank you for joining us.

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum. Do read through the New Growers' FAQ, linked in the menu bar. You may wish to scan through the topics in our Index of Key Forum Threads, also linked in the menu bar.

trays by a window that gets plenty sun be alright?

That should work. I suggest starting germination indoors, 6-8 weeks prior to your average date of last frost. Plan to transplant outdoors after risk of frost has passed.

Bob

 

[Alpine]

Welcome to FTT

pier

 

[Smoke-me-a-Kipper]

You don't need a whole germination setup with mats etc, just some pots with soil in on a windowsill. Tobacco plants seem to germinate easily and from my limited experience seem to have a high germination rate. 4 of my five varieties had a germination rate of about 80%, the other (Orinoco) had zero plants from 5 or so seeds.

Good luck on your grow. Even when I was in Australia like 15 years ago I was shocked at the price of rolling baccy, so I can definitely see the need for home growing.

 

[vktr]

Do I need to set up lights and heat mats, or would trays by a window that gets plenty sun be alright?

Place them under led light as soon as they show up. In my experience the lights from above are essential for seedlings. If you place them by the window they'll lean to the light, hit the ground and die. Re the heating mats I've never used any at this stage.

 

[deluxestogie]

I have grown tobacco at home for 15 years. I have always used sunlight from the windows of my enclosed back porch. And I routinely use a seedling heat mat for at least the first week after transferring seedlings from their germination cups to 1020 tray inserts. I would suggest reading the recommendations linked in our Index of Key Forum Threads, linked in the menu bar.

Bob