UK first grow, not sure if seeds dying off: @SnuffmeisterUK

[SnuffmeisterUK]

@deluxestogie if the weather report is right, next week humidity ranges from 55% to 82% humidity outdoors, I'm not sure how to test my indoor humidiy

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

*humidity

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

Temp next week during the rain ranges from 19 degrees to 22

 

[Knucklehead]

@deluxestogie if the weather report is right, next week humidity ranges from 55% to 82% humidity outdoors, I'm not sure how to test my indoor humidiy

I average 3 day blocks of time. I aim for a 3 day average of about 70%, then reset my timer for the next three day block of time. My humidity is a moving target. I have to move the plants around, bunch the leaves closer during low humidity, space them further apart in high humidity and turn on fan for air circulation at times of high humidity. In my shop, I must either leave the big door open or close the big door, to either trap good humidity inside or keep high or low humidity outside, depending on weather. In my area, humidity is usually higher at night, dry during the day. During rainy periods, humidity can go really high. I watch the weather forecast. I use a hygrostat and thermometer.

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

Thanks @Knucklehead ! This is so helpful, I hadn't considered thinking of humidity as a moving target, I've been spacing out my leaves a little more and brought em inside during the worst of the rain we've had here, I haven't got a hydrostat.. something I'll buy for next year probably

@deluxestogie look what showed up.. thanks for putting this together

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

Very first parts of my harvest cured and dried, mostly bottom leaves and suckers/low grade leaf thus far!

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

Anyone know how far along these plants are? I topped them last week, bottom leaves already hung as they were yellowing at the tips, towel curing got them a nice banana yellow quickly, very bottom mud leaves already brown, dry and in ziplocks.

I'm worried about the climate here in the UK, summer has been crap! Plus I had bad news yesterday, we have to leave this flat, so bye bye garden for me in November gutted.

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

@Knucklehead @deluxestogie @Alpine @Old Gasman sorry to tag you folks but I need some wisdom from folk who've dried many leaves before me

I found out today we have to leave this flat (and therefore my garden) by the 1st nov (landlord wants his flat back)

I'm feeling a bit defeated with my tobacco grow now, I had imagined slowly curing these outdoors and letting nature take its cause, perhaps bringing in some beautiful leaves at the very end of summer and hanging em through the winter indoors, now I have no idea where I'll be living!

Have I got time from now until then to get something mostly decent out of my harvest/garden and into bags you think?

 

[deluxestogie]

With any N. tabacum variety, you can safely harvest the leaf as soon as you detect even the slightest yellowing at the tip. Simple air-curing can usually complete a color cure in about 6 weeks. Using alternative approaches to color-curing, such as boxing and towels, are beyond my experience. So you certainly have about 6 more weeks (until mid-September) for any slow leaf to mature enough to harvest, and another 6 weeks before you move out.

Bob

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

Thanks so much @deluxestogie , that makes me feel better, I've been down the rabbit hole reading endless threads about harvesting rustica, I know it ain't your thing (kitty litter)

Due to my eviction situation I'm tempted to cut some of my rustica at its stalk now and simply see what it does hung upside down all the way until I leave. Perhaps I'm being too brash. There is no risk of it flash curing here.. lots of humidity and rain in-between the sun.

Rustica is more of an experiment for me, my real concern is my burley and Virginia!

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

 

[Old Gasman]

I'm sure your leaves will not be lost. Any leaves that are already curing will be fine. If they're not cured completely come moving day I would suggest misting them into case then packing them in a box to take with you. Same applies to any leaves still on the plant. As for the Rusticas I can't offer any suggestions never having grown any myself.

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

I'm sure your leaves will not be lost. Any leaves that are already curing will be fine. If they're not cured completely come moving day I would suggest misting them into case then packing them in a box to take with you. Same applies to any leaves still on the plant. As for the Rusticas I can't offer any suggestions never having grown any myself.

Thanks @Old Gasman I'm feeling a little better about it all today, I actually harvested some leaves today that were yellowing on then plant and didn't resist at all to being pulled off, got them towel curing atm. Feel better having actually made a proper start at the curing step

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

Little dutch looking beautiful, many of my dark virginia and dark burley are looking rugged/alligator skin now.. just waiting for the yellow to come.

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

Got rustica hung outside, the weather in the UK has been awful so I'm waiting like a Hawk for mold etc.

got my virginia and burley indoors , with a fan underneath them out of shot. Having far more luck with the indoor setup thus far.

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

A proud moment for me just happened, I'm making my first batch (only 100g to start) of snus, using homegrown, home aircured tobacco. Using snus at home's instapot recipie.

Roughly 20g virginia, 20g burley, 10g little dutch.

 

[Bottenslam]

Tell is how it turned out,
When The rustica is done Id recommend about 1/3 rustica, for a nice balance of texture and strenght. I find higher than that the snus cant be "bakad" into an nice "prillu" anymore haha

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

@Bottenslam the closest I (think) I've had to rustica is this monstrosity..

6 Photo - Fire and Ice

A robust, high-nicotine Makla with a complex flavor profile featuring menthol, earthy tobacco, and spicy notes of chili, cardamom, and cinnamon. A chocolate-covered cherry and wintergreen character, with a significant burn and a slow, building nicotine release.The product is moist, making it...

www.mrsnuff.co.uk

It scarred me slightly (I wince if I remember it's existence and open the tin) so I'll be treading carefully with the rustica.. they don't specify the tobacco used but it it is a green coloured product from India so assume it is some sort of rustica

I grew it more out of curiosity than anything, it currently has been towel cured and is smelling like cat p*ss haha

 

[SnuffmeisterUK]

Cook finished! Into the fridge for a week before being tasted now, house smells like a farmyard thanks to a healthy dose of ammonia during the alkalazing step. So rewarding seeing my first homegrown product.

 

[Knucklehead]

Cook finished! Into the fridge for a week before being tasted now, house smells like a farmyard thanks to a healthy dose of ammonia during the alkalazing step. So rewarding seeing my first homegrown product. View attachment 47748

That's awesome! I've been following along your grow. Keep us posted on your taste test.