Midewivan - Redleaf - Broadleaf - Burley - Kentucky - Tobacco - 1-26-8

The tobacco varieties have thrived in these conditions. Truly, the laggards of these are the Kentucky and Burley varieties. I'm not quite sure why, maybe their strengths are later in the life cycle than the others. What I do know is that the Tennessee Redleaf has taken a significant lead in development followed closely by the Walkers Broadleaf. These varieties seem very similar but the leaves are distinguishable. Broadleaf being true to its name, Redleaf I have to dry to find out. But the shape of growth is distinct.

At right the bottom left of the image is Burley which was recently moved. The two on the right are Tennessee Redleaf and are the strongest producers so far. The top left of the image is Midewivan Sacred. I think maybe there was a lack of planning for the size of the tobacco leaves, especially the Redleaf at current. Some, and it seems they are getting larger, measure over 13 inches in length and over 5 inches wide. I think I need a bigger box. I'm not sure if they will grow much larger in this environment, but it may be wise to brainstorm alternatives.


This collection to the right includes a number of plants. The larger three in the front are Walkers Broadleaf and there a couple of Kentucy plants in the back of the image. In the middle I have seeded some vegetables, and in the back still working on getting cotton to live. Maybe as it warms the Cotton will survive.

Chocolate and Orange Habanero Seedlings - 1-26-8

Some of the initial wariness regarding the Chocolate Habanero seedlings is wearing off as though the leaves began seemingly warped they are beginning to fill quite nicely. Of course, the Orange Habanero seedlings have continued to develop quickly. I hope to be able to move them to a new home shortly, but do not want to interrupt the growth before necessary.

Soybean Seedlings - 1-26-8

The soybean seedlings have really sprouted since last week. They are growing much taller and have started to spread leaves. The beginnings of another set are clearly visible. Regarding the germination rate of these soybean seedlings I believe all but one have germinated. Those are strong numbers. It will be interesting to see how successful they are in maturing.

Stevia Seedlings - 1-19-8

These are the two stevia seedlings I have growing. They both seem to be doing well aside from this mangled set of leaves on the larger of the two. I imagine this has to do with the fact that I had them directly under the light, maybe a bit too much. On the other hand, it seems that there is a very mild sweet aroma coming from the plant and unless my sniffer is deceiving me this signifies the sweetness of the plant that is yet to come when I begin to harvest leaves. For now, I have moved these out of direct light and hope not to have the damage that was inflicted on those two leaves. Soon I'll have to move one of them out. Not sure where yet.

Soybean Seedlings - 1-19-8

After just about 5 days I have the first of my soybean seedlings coming up. These should be fun. As I understand it these grow as plants, or bushes, not vines so they shouldn't need to be tied. Also, I should expect to be able to harvest from mature plants in just a couple of months. I have found that soybeans are reportedly good green as well as dried so there is some fun experimentation ahead. I think the name for the green salted soybeans is edamame.

Since the image was taken the pods have opened a bit and the first set of leaves has started to emerge.

Tennessee Redleaf & Midewivan Sacred Tobacco Plants - 1-19-8

The autofeed system I constructed seems to be functioning quite well and is allowing strong growth from these Tennessee Redleaf (broader) and Midewivan Sacred (taller) Tobacco plants.

The leaves on the Redleaf plants are now over 13 inches in length and 5 inches in width. The stalk of the plant is just beginning to form and is approximately 2 inches tall currently.

I am hoping for a bit more growth in the size of the Midewivan Sacred leaf but as I recall from my last experience with these they tend to be much smaller than the other varieties I have grown, aside from the rapid growth in height.

Orange and Chocolate Habanero Seedlings - 1-19-8

Still waiting for a while to move the Habanero Pepper seedlings to a new home. I still am a bit wary of moving these as they are so small but should be soon. The orange Habanero pepper plants are doing much better than the Chocolate Habaneros. Not only are they growing faster and germinating better, but the leaves are significantly better being formed completely and straight where the Chocolate ones are a bit, well, rough. The leaves are slightly angled and not as full. I hope they get healthier looking. If not, not a problem, I have put a few more seeds in where others havent germinated. Maybe I can get some healthier seedlings.

Kentucky & Walkers Broadleaf Tobacco Plants - 1-19-8

To the right is an image of the Kentucky Hybrid and Walkers Broadleaf Tobacco plants that I have moved to individual containers. This is not setup yet for an autofeed but it does allow the root systems a chance to expand.

There are a couple of other plants started here as well. In the back there is a Cotton plant seedling, but I haven't had much luck with these yet. I think it may be to drafty and cold for these this time of year here.

The Broadleaf plants are the two closest in the image and the Kentucky plants are the three in the back. In between these plants I have seeded some vegetables, a couple types of lettuce, spinach, and broccoli. Didn't mark these, they are mainly for snacking anyway.

Plant pictures 1-12-8

These images are of my plants from January 12th, 2008. I have transplanted some seedlings into a new container. Among these are some Walkers Broadleaf Tobacco, Kentucky Hybrid Tobacco, and the last remaining Cotton Seedling. The two in the back of the image are Broadleaf. The three toward the front are Kentucky, and the closest plant on the right is the Cotton seedling but it's siblings weren't so lucky.





These transplants are still going strong. The Tennessee Redleaf plants are really taking off. Those are at the left of this image. The one in the back right of the group is setting the pace for vegetative growth. The Midewivan Sacred are doing quite well.


At left of the tall Midewivan Sacred plants in this image are the Burley Seedlings. These are the only tobacco plants that I have yet to transplant into individual containers. Perhaps at the end of this week when they have had time to grow a bit more.





The Stevia seedlings continue to do well. There are two growing here but based on the angle that is difficult to discern. Leaves are beginning to grow larger and much more rapidly.






Quite exciting indeed are the habanero pepper seedlings growing in my seeding tray. The two on the left are Congo Black (Chocolate) Habaneros. The three to the right are Orange Habaneros. I have planted additional seeds to replace those that did not germinate. Particularly I would like to see some healthier Congo Black seedlings than have sprouted so far. The leaves on these two seem a bit strained. Their cousins on the other side are doing well though and I am happy with these even though I have added a couple seeds for extras.

Cotton Seedling Problems

I seem to be having an issue with the cotton seedlings. Not quite sure what the problem is but they do not seem to be responding well to the environment. Actually, I am expecting to lose at least two of the three in the next week or two. Quite possibly it's a heating issue as I am trying to grow them in a basement in the northeast during winter. The plan currently is to plant a couple in the flood table and a couple more in the current planter and monitor these a bit closer.

Habanero Seedlings 1-5-8

The Habanero seedlings are coming along nicely. I am a bit disappointed in the germination of the Congo Black Habaneros but that's something a few more seeds can fix. Otherwise, the Habaneros are gaining in size and soon should be ready for transplant. I have constructed another container to house the pepper plants once they can be moved. This is designed to support ten plants, five of each variety. This should be complete in the next week or two as the plants mature.

Stevia Seedlings 1-5-8

The Stevia seedlings are coming along quite nicely. I have moved them directly under the light to aid in entering and supporting vegetative growth. The leaves appear strong and healthy.

Vegetative tobacco plants 1-5-8

Some of the tobacco plants have entered the vegetative stage and are showing significant signs of leafy growth. So far these seem to promise a strong yield although limited by horizontal space.


The Walker's Broadleaf has definitely begun to grow at a much faster rate and promises a high yield. The smaller seedlings should be transplanted out soon to allow for maximum growth given the space provided.





I have constructed a timed top drip system and transplanted four of the Tennessee Redleaf and Midewivan Sacred plants into these containers. Redleaf on the left and Midewivan on the right. This system seems to work fairly well. I am pleased to report that all transplanted seedlings have survived and recovered from the move very quickly. Some of each plant have been left in their original home.