How to Grow Tobacco
Planning the Site
Tobacco should be grown in a sunny location on well-drained soils. Poorly drained soils could lead to decomposition of tobacco plants.
Preparing the Site
Ensure that the site has the right pH for tobacco production. Soil pH should be about 5.8 for optimum growth of tobacco.
Required Materials
Tobacco seeds initially require temperatures of 70-80°F with high humidity, so you will need a propagator to start growing them. A simple form of propagator is any plastic container with a lid.
Watering Requirements
Tobacco requires 100 to 115 cm of annual precipitation for thriving production. Rainfall is undesirable at the time of maturing of the crop as gums and resins on the leaf get washed off.
Nutrients Required
A small amount of fertilizer is necessary to produce the transplants. A tobacco fertilizer must have little or no chlorine. Most of the nitrogen should be in the nitrate form. Fertilizers manufactured for use on other crops or plants such as tomato, pepper, and potato should be satisfactory for tobacco.
Seasons
Although tobacco is a tropical crop, it can be grown in a wide range of environments, and it is as much a plant of the tropical zone as it is of the subtropical and temperate zones. In India, tobacco is grown from 8°N latitude to 34°N latitude. Tobacco seeds require a temperature of about 21°C for germination. Temperatures between 27°C and 32°C are desirable for rapid uniform germination. Tobacco plants grow and mature rapidly when average temperatures are about 25°C. Lower temperatures increase the growth period. During cold weather and at low temperatures, there is slow growth of the plants, and this also affects the quality of the tobacco.
Expectations/Results
Tobacco is picked when leaves become "ripe." Leaves ripen progressively from the bottom of the plant to the top, so lugs are picked first and tips last. Typically, tobacco is picked six times, with three leaves taken per pick and six leaves in the final pick. Picking commences in February and finishes in late April to early May depending on the seasonal conditions. Using a "taxi-harvester" can also be helpful in picking. Four to six people ride on the harvester and pick the leaves manually or by hand.
