Tobacco Multipacks are a great way to start growing your own. This pack contains strains selected for use in Caribbean style cigar blend. The strains included in this pack are Habano 2000, Havana 142, and Cub*n Criollo 98
About Habano 2000
Habano 2000 is derived from a crossing between the variety Corojo and a non commercial variety of Cuban dark tobacco, the Habano 2.1.1, from which is derived its resistance to the Gray Mold. Grown in direct sun. it reaches an average height of 6 feet with 14-16 leaves per plant. In very rich soils it can develop up to 18 leaves per plant. Sun grown plants are often used as a binder or filler. Grown under a sunlight cloths, Habano 2000 makes an excellent wrapper.
About Cuban Criollo 98
Cuban Criollo 98 is one of the most valued strains for Cuban cigars. It originated from a crossing between the varieties ' Havana 92' and `Habana P.R'. Cultivated in the sun it produces from 14 to 16 useful leaves per plant and makes an excellent binder. It reaches an average height of 6 feet. Leaves average 24 inches in length and 12 inches wide. It is resistant to the Blue Mold, the Blackish Paw and the Tobacco Mosaic Virus and moderately resistant to the Environmental Necrosis.
About Havana 142
Havana 142 is classified as a cigar binder but is often used in making chew. Many growers find it makes an excellent cigarette tobacco as well. A columnar plant which grows to a height of 4 feet, it matures in only 55 days. A good choice for areas with short growing seasons. Air cures to a light brown.
How to Grow Tobacco
Growing your own tobacco is so easy and not dissimilar to growing tomatoes. Place commercial seedling compost into a tray and soak the soil with water and allow the excess water to drain off. Sprinkle the tobacco seeds onto the surface of the damp soil. Do not cover the seeds, as they need light for germination. Tobacco seeds are very tiny, so be careful to spread the seeds as evenly as possible. Keep the soil damp being careful not to wash the seeds around when you water; better still water from below or use a mist sprayer.
At a temperature of 75-80 degrees, seeds typically take a matter of days to germinate; though at this stage they are still rather small. At lower temperatures, the germination simply takes a few days longer.
Plantlets are ready to be transplanted into bigger pots, when the leaves are about 1cm in length. Care should be taken not to disturb the roots. Feed should only be given to established and rapidly growing plants after they have been replanted. Tobacco requires a lot of nitrogen and potash, which can be supplied using standard garden fertilizer. You may want to grow your tobacco using only organic fertilizers.
Ideally, space the tobacco plants about 2 ft. apart in rows 3 ft. apart. Transplant outside in the evening or when it is cloudy and overcast to avoid the youngsters from drying out. Water plants thoroughly after transplanting and water daily until plants become established. Like tomato plants, the branches (suckers, offshoots), should be removed to focus the plants energy on the large leaves.
Tobacco plants generally require full to partial sunlight to grow properly. Tobacco is ready to be harvest after 60-90 days after germinating.