The Tobacco Plant Project

[mrtr33]

Nice call on the plastic wrap. I'm sure that helps out quite a bit. Also, perhaps you've already mentioned this and I overlooked it, but how are you hardening them (setting them outside during the day)? Are they in shade, but just exposed to the elements? Are they in full sun? What is the fertilizer mix ratio you are applying?

Awesome!

[Smoked!]

Race to the Clouds -
Yes, the Mammoth variety seems to have taken very well and most seedlings seem to be vigorous. Both the Sumatra and Argentine have several viable seedlings. The Red Leaf plants are struggling. They appear weak and spindly... much like me. <sigh>

Fertilizer Rate –
I used Miracle Grow liquid fertilizer for the initial pellet hydration at about ¼ teaspoon per quart. I will increase the rate by ~50% on the next feeding, and then an additional ~33% for all weekly feedings. That gives me an approximate rate of ½ tsp. per quart, or 1 1/3 tbsp. per gallon for regular diet. Alternatively, I may just dump the jug in the middle of the plot and hope for rain.

Another consideration is the quality of water used in the propagation phase. As I understand it, tomacco will not tolerate chlorine until it is established. The same goes for all the nightshades, I guess. I used filtered water – nothing special.

Question: Does anyone have a recommendation for tomato fertilizer? There is a similarity in nutrient requirements.

Hardening Off –
Based on both the material you provided in the info post and some additional reading, I may be jumping the gun on setting the seedlings outdoors. They are in a protected cove that receives only indirect sunlight, but they are still subject to wind, temperature swings, and other forms of outdoor mayhem. The jury is still out on the quality of that decision.

Next Phase –
I have some time to decide how to transplant the seedlings. I think stepping them up from pods to peat pots may be a good idea. That will allow some measure of control over soil, water, and nutrients. Equally important, it will allow for full root development. I have an idea that may be more than a few critters lurking in the soil here.

I think I’ll be lucky to get two or three specimen plants from each variety. My money is on the Mammoths for survival… unless there’s a sudden new ice age.

[Smoked!]

mrtr33 - I noticed your Sumatra had a bit of mold on the seeds and in the pellets. I had a few with the same condition. The other varieties are not affected. It appears that it could be a moldy batch of seed from the supplier. Crud.

[mrtr33]

Fertilizer Rate –
I used Miracle Grow liquid fertilizer for the initial pellet hydration at about ¼ teaspoon per quart. I will increase the rate by ~50% on the next feeding, and then an additional ~33% for all weekly feedings. That gives me an approximate rate of ½ tsp. per quart, or 1 1/3 tbsp. per gallon for regular diet. Alternatively, I may just dump the jug in the middle of the plot and hope for rain.

Another consideration is the quality of water used in the propagation phase. As I understand it, tomacco will not tolerate chlorine until it is established. The same goes for all the nightshades, I guess. I used filtered water – nothing special.

After much thought about my specific situation, I've decided not to fertilize the peat pods. My primary concern is burning these plants up. I've read in other places that it's best these tobacco seeds be brought up in direct sunlight. I'm worried that their early life may be hindered in the sun with the addition of a fertilizer.

Good call on the water - that makes sense to me.

Also, I'm not going to start hardening these plants for a few more weeks. Ideally, I won't transplant until they are clearly individual seedlings.

Question: Does anyone have a recommendation for tomato fertilizer? There is a similarity in nutrient requirements.

I do, but I can't recall what it is. It's another one of those slow-release, in-ground fertilizers (as opposed to a fertilizer for potted plants). I'll add it to the beds once I get those in place. Supposedly, it is something I only have to add once, then I can forget about it. I'll find out what the name of the stuff is, and post it.

mrtr33 - I noticed your Sumatra had a bit of mold on the seeds and in the pellets. I had a few with the same condition. The other varieties are not affected. It appears that it could be a moldy batch of seed from the supplier. Crud.

Yeah, the Sumatra did. I guess I was thinking it was a result of the sunlight hitting the covered tray, and the condensation was too much, and mold formed. I never thought the seeds themselves could be moldy. I've taken the trays off, and don't see any more mold.

I have a few more sprouting up. I'm probably only going to keep a few of the Black Mammoth's, and give the rest to the local garden store that's helped me so much with little tips and advice in getting me started.

I'll post pics and an update on my growing experiences (what isn't posted here) a bit later on.

[Smoked!]

03.26.10

Today, the first pairs of secondary leaves appeared on three of the four varieties. The Sumatra is a little behind the others in development.




03.30.10

All four varieties now have tiny secondary leaves and are progressing ever so slowly. The Black Mammoth seedlings are the most vigorous of the plants so far. The temperature has dropped again this week. We had a strong storm front push through yesterday which brought cooler, drier air and low temps near fifty. For late March in FL, that’s cold!




03.31.10

The low temp this morning was forty-seven. I know that’s just a warm spring day for all you Yanks up in Pennsyltucky, but here it’s an arctic blast. It was so cold that I had to put on socks. Even the little tomaccos were shivering!

Normal temps should be in the mid-sixties to low eighties by the end of March. I think the cooler air is stalling plant development slightly. If these seedlings were sown outside in the soil, they would have already failed.

This weekend I plan to place the seedlings into direct sun for a couple hours each morning. After a week or so, they should be hardened off enough to take full morning sun. It should be interesting to see how quickly they respond to direct sun energy. Will they fry or accelerate? I want to see a couple more leaves kick out before I leave them out in full sunlight all day.

[mrtr33]

So, I've been slacking the last week. I meant to get these up last Thursday, because today, the plants look completely different.



The Small Stalk Black Mammoth. The one in the bottom right is Argentina. These plants, far and away, are the most hearty of the bunch.



Long Red Leaf



Florida Sumatra

I should note that when I took these photos, it was last week. I watered them immediately afterward. The plants really do look much better this week than they did then (last week).

I also wanted to update the thread with what kind of fertilizer I'm going to be using once I get the plants in the ground. This is still probably at least 45 days away, but it is something I wanted to start thinking about now. The fertilizer is called Plant-Tone, and can be found at your local gardening store. Probably won't be able to find it at a big box store, but you might. Espoma also makes a Tomato-Tone, but I can't find it anywhere locally.

Just thought I'd share. I'll try to get updated pics up soon.

[Smoked!]

I snapped a few photos showing the progress to date. Clearly, the Mammoth seeds have done best in the germination phase, but they are smaller than the other plants. Time to thin them out? Maybe... The other three varieties are about equal. See for yourself:

Argentina


Black Mammoth


Florida Sumatra


Long Red Leaf