Garden tobacco this year showing signs of largeness and girth with leaves reaching record size in this region.
This strain is nicotiana rustica, also known as Aztec Tobcacco. It is an extremely potent variety that tends to grow shorter than other varieties but with larger leaves.
In the Amazon, the leaves of nicotiana rustica are boiled down into a thick soup. Then, whole leaves are dipped into this soup and made into dense rolls. This kind of tobacco is called Mapacho. It is not for the casual user.
I've been trying new growing techniques this year such as heavier fertilizing and removing most of the flower heads and side shoots. By removing those parts, the plant can focus more energy on its leaves.
Why grow tobacco at home?
There are many reasons why a good person would want to grow tobacco. Chiefly, most of the tobacco on the market is heavily laden with additives. Its not real tobacco at that point, it is shit.
The cost of cigarettes is another reason. A year's worth of tobacco can be grown at a fraction of the cost.
And of course, the pleasure of growing your own smoke is a reward in itself.
Who can grow tobacco?
Check your local laws. Many places have loose or non-existent laws regarding home cultivation of tobacco.
As long as you keep your patch a reasonable size and don't sell or distribute it without a license, you're probably in the clear. Just don't grow it next to your opium field.
How do you grow the stuff?
Buy some seeds, press them into the soil surface and water. The seeds and seedlings are tiny and they hate being crowded and will stop growing if too crowded.
You can either seed directly into the garden or start in pots and transplant when they are about 1 ft. tall. I prefer the pot method.
One method used by Native Americans was to burn an area, scatter the ashes, rake the soil with a stick and spread the seeds. No water, just prayer.
Tobacco prefers an alkaline soil with lots of organic matter. Add wood ashes and compost to the soil before planting. During its growth period, fertilize regularly, the same as you would tomatoes.
Tobacco depletes the soil rapidly of nutrients, it is an extremely heavy feeder.
Pinch off the flower heads and side shoots that grow from the base of the leaves. Leave some flower heads on your favorite plants for seeds. One plant can produce thousands of seeds.
You can remove the lower leaves which are covered with dirt anyways, then mound some dirt around the base. The plant will grow more roots in that mound and your tobacco will be stronger. Highly recommended for windy areas or tall plants.
How do you harvest?
You can either cut the whole plant down or harvest the leaves as they ripen.
Yellow leaves are higher in sugar resulting in a smoother smoke. They are also thinner and with less nicotine. Green leaves have a stronger taste and higher nicotine.
I prefer to harvest when the leaves lighten in color but not quite yellow.
Pile your leaves in the sun to "sweat". Turn them often so they don't dry out too much. This process removes some moisture and ammonia from the leaves. Don't skip this step.
You can hang up your leaves on a string or on a bamboo stick that pierces the thick stems.
Tobacco is cured in the sun, with hot air or just plain air. For the home grower, a good option is in a room with a dehumidifier and fan. A good cure takes 2 months to 1 year. The key is to not let the leaves dry out too fast but also not allow them to mold. This is probably the most complicated part of the whole process and may involve some trial and error to get it right.
Now get out there and start hoeing!