>>2546470what I have learned, gathered and done:
overplant: we used 72 cell starter trays last year. probably had 150 - 200 seedlings pop up. many will die off naturally. the strong survive. thin as needed, transplant to larger pots as needed. extras are a good thing.
this year we are jot using 72 cell trays. just Rubbermaid flat containers with drainage holes.
warm your trays: tobacco is a tropical plant. they do not germinate well in cool soil. we used a plant heat mat.
plant seeds early: it takes a while for them to get 3". we start in February. they are just barely ready to go outside when it warms in our area.
they are heavey feeders: enrich your soil. compost is best. that is a whole other subject... being a leafy green plant that you are wanting to harvest leaves, nitrogen is important.
watch for pests: horn worms (tomato worms) are a serious issue. check daily for signs of leaf damage. a horn worm can kill a healthy plant in about 24 hours if left to do so. pick them off by hand. avoid artificial pesticides... you are ingesting the leaves.
pinch off flowers at first sign: this directs energy back to leaf production. it will attempt to flower several times. you can either let it flower after you are satisfied with harvest, or you can just keep a few to flower and collect seeds, the rest are for harvest. a single plant will produce 10's of 1000's of seeds.
dry for weeks, then, before 100% dry, store in a sealed or semi-sealed container for... some reason...
water well. water often.
