RUSTICA TOBACCO: My Story, from Seed to Harvest... (and some tips on drying/curing)

I edited this video together to show you all my journey this summer in growing Rustica tobacco, which is ceremonial from South America. It grows well above the 45th parallel, so even if you are in the northern US you can make it work.
Thanks for watching, subscribe for more stuff like this.
-Carpo
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Thanks for watching everyone- my goal here is to give information on herbs, spices, mushrooms and maybe even a few obscure substances, in the hopes of starting a dialogue, and informing people about what I know.
I have an herb website at www.carposbotanicals.com/en/ and all my herbs are top notch. Feel free to stop by.
My philosophy and thinking channel:
/ carpo719
If you would like to contribute to my channels so I can grow, I am using Patreon to see how it does. I am not one to ask for money, but I sure would love to do this full time and bring you more information! this keeps me from having ads on my videos
www.patreon.co...
Thank you for watching!
-Carpo

[@carpo9763]

I have an herb business called carpos Botanicals, where I sell seeds for this tobacco as well as various kratom strains. Be sure to check out my podcast 15-minute-free-thinking.simplecast.com/ And to support the channel: Www.patreon.com/carpo719 Thanks for listening

[@wonkals]

Hi :) I have been growing tobacco for years and never harvested them lol ... I just love growing them because they are so beautiful. I believe I have the Hopi Strain. I think I feel confident in drying but really unsure what I am looking for in the curing process. You said it can take up to a year.. how often would you need to mix them up and also how do I store them ? In the wire bin you have? Love your videos and I know this is really old video but hoping your still into the tobacco growing!

[@stoner8440]

Not a lot of people do these tobacco videos from start to finish shame really it’s quite interesting 🤟🏼

[@PRN-Life]

nice work i grow the original too . smoking just the rustica is a bit harsch but in a mixture with 2 or more strains its way better . ive sent seeds around where i live so people can grow their own tobacco in the end :-) greetins from North Sweden

[@gnarliecharlie3015]

I enjoyed your video allot thanks for sharing it was nice to hear how passionate yar about growing

[@papikodak]

Thank you for sharing experience!

[@bromisovalum8417]

Nicotiana rustica is very acidic, leaves can contain up to 20% citric acid. In fact they have been used as an agricultural source for citric acid extraction in cold regions like Russia and Finland. It's an important difference with regular tobacco that should be taken into account.

[@adam-pe2ve]

Thats why its not smokes dirext to lung

[@lodollar23]

BT is organic and might work on those species of worm too. Could give it a try next time.

[@GingerWaters]

I have some plants in direct sunlight, and some in shade. Ones in the sun I only harvest yellow leaves, and they dry to nice golden brown. Ones in the shade stay all green. I harvested some of them greens, but they do not color cure. I think I’ll try soon different humidity conditions for dryin slowlier.

[@maartenperdeck798]

I grow Nicotiana paniculata, this is one of the species that by crossing was one of the forefathers of N. rustica.

[@gavinandrews9026]

😊How does it smoke?

[@wizardsongs5409]

Where'd you get your seeds for the paniculata?

[@wizardsongs5409]

I wouldn't think they ought or need to be soaking wet, just misted so they aren't too dry. When the pilon is deconstructed the leaf bunches are shaken to remove excess moisture before restacking. I had some leaves in an unsealed plastic bag that seemed to trap enough heat in to have an effect. I haven't tried using glass jars, but I think one could possibly ferment them in jars as well, checking them often to keep the right moisture levels. People also use ovens, pressure cookers, etc to accellerate the process. I've heard of people using their microwaves to darken the leaves as well.

[@tdb4297]

Drying my second year of seeds as I write this 🙏🤗

[@Eric-fx9xf]

I don't know anyone who grows their own tobacco. Cool man. ✌️👍

[@bromisovalum8417]

It used to be very common where I am until my grandfather's generation. Every farmer knew how to do it. In fact, when the Germans were here during WW2 they banned growing tobacco (because black market concerns I guess) and farmers had to hide their tobacco crops in between tomato plants. But after the war the government had a complete monopoly on the growing and sale of tobacco, and although technically you're allowed (and still are) to grow tobacco for personal use, with the increasing urbanisation, the information wasn't passed on anymore and since the boomer generation people just relied on the government to supply them with tobacco. Now that most people here are urbanised, they've started charging an arm and a leg, supposedly to protect our health.

[@johnpots4181]

​I just got a batch of rustica and black mammoth with seeds. So i'm gonna try my hand at growing some of my own if i'm successful maybe I'll make a video​@bromisovalum8417

[@GnomeInPlaid]

I've read that Datura infusion will repel bugs. I don't know the ratio of Datura to alcohol or water, but it's probably online somewhere as a research paper.

[@johndodge2188]

Right on, I like your display

[@Mr.Knallfrosch]

The rustica variety of Tobacco looks so different to the Virginia or Burley varieties for example, it looks more like an Oriental variety. But very interesting stuff, next year I plant some to make a strong Snus and nasal Snuff.

[@carpo9763]

It is absolutely different, I grew a strain of Havana tobacco a few years ago and it was much more elongated. Rustica tobacco tends to have wrinkly oval leaves. If you ever need some seeds I can send you some, or direct you to my website

[@Mr.Knallfrosch]

@@carpo9763 oh that is very nice from you, but I think I better order the seeds from a german website, because I heard that the customs here are a problem when it comes to seeds from other countries, only specialized companies are allowed to import seeds from foreign countries, but thank you very much for the offer.

[@carpo9763]

@Fuk Face that I am not sure of I'm sorry

[@spydercorp420]

Thankyou for taking the time to make this informative video 🖖 u had previously said that this type of tobacco was also used in ceremonies and i was wondering if you could please tell us a little about what u have learned? THANKYOU Carpo i enjoy and appreciate the information u share ✌

[@carpo719]

I have a few other videos about it. I could maybe do one and read about it but information is really limited

[@ErikGsElixirGarden]

Awesome garden brotha!. How much for seeds?.

[@charlescarabott7692]

They are used in south america together with san pedro cactus.

[@graysonsmith3986]

How do you make sure your different varieties don’t cross pollinate when you collect your seeds do you bag your plants?

[@TimeNowAndThen]

Hey Carpo! Make a video about snus, what you think about chewing tobacco pouches? It would be awesome to hear your thoughts about it. That stuff literaly helps me stay away from smoking cigs for almost 2 weeks now. Im super grateful i found out this, started with the strongest one siberria -80c snus chewing tobacco 43 nic per gram. I try to use less potent bags, hopefuly my tolerance gets lower. Good to hear from you. HAve fun!

[@PatarTheGreat123]

When would you know the aztec leaves are eipe enough to be picked? No yellowing?

[@benben2846]

Thank you man ! is that you play the guitar ?

[@frugihoyi]

When should I harvest the leaves? I'm thinking of doing it when the buds dry out, what do you think?

[@d.j.robinson9424]

Great video, for some reason the video wouldn't allow me to give a thumbs up..👍👍💚

[@samiam3297]

Up to 20% damn! Wonder if this is the same Rustica put out by MacBarens? Grabbed a few tins a while back never cracked them open figured a lil age might do them good. Think i read that somewhere.

[@fernandocarvallo9135]

Did you ever make a follow up video?

[@carpo9763]

I don't remember it's been years I've made a lot of videos about tobacco though

[@carpo719]

Have you noticed how the list of the next KZbin videos never relates to the subject in the video anymore? Just an observation.... At any rate, hope you enjoyed this. I would love to make more edited videos but they just take so long..... I try though. Be well peeps -Be real

[@TimeNowAndThen]

Either its your video, some music live podcast, often some savage pranks, documentaries. It has some connections but i think youtube could do that better with your related videos You like to watch.

[@Westbird1]

it's recommending me your tobacco related vids.

[@curious5218]

Thanks for sharing the video. This year I am trying to grow this. Nearly 50 seeds have germinated so far. Need to see how many will survive. Could you give any advice on how to fertilize them and what kind of fertilizer should I give?

[@carpo9763]

They seem to like loose soil, a lot of water and a lot of fertilizer. once I grew a few in the yard they just kept coming up every year, it's funny I see this message here because I was just packaging up my cured tobacco into bags today

[@curious5218]

@@carpo9763 Can they tolerate a bit shade? I have two pigeon pea plants, thinking to grow these below them for nitrogen requirement fulfillment. Also I heard, rustica variety loves cooler climates, is it true?

[@carpo9763]

@@curious5218 they don't mind some shade, they prefer a lot of sun but they will do fine in any area where they get a reasonable amount. My garden gets shaded all morning and evening. Since this strand was grown in many places I'm not sure if it prefers a cooler climate, but it seems to do well. In fact it's almost December here and I still have three plants in the front that aren't dead yet

[@curious5218]

@@carpo9763 I'm from the tropics, so frost isn't a problem for me :) But I am not sure if they can survive the heat! Anyway will give it a try and let you know if I succeed.

[@carpo9763]

@@curious5218 thanks please do. They grow in South America so I know they will do well in the tropics

[@historyandhorseplaying7374]

When do you harvest the leaves?

[@therarmann]

when the leaves ferment, the chlorofill turns to sugar. guess it is the reason for the dark colour on some of the leaves.

[@BananaBandito1864]

Man I wish I could do stuff like this. Maybe one day

[@carpo9763]

It grows nicely in the wild you could probably Harvest it from any roadside if you planted some

[@historyandhorseplaying7374]

@@carpo9763 When do you harvest the leaves?

[@micktaylor2500]

What is the best method to dry

[@ErikGsElixirGarden]

Great video!. 💯💯💯💯

[@ErikGsElixirGarden]

I wonder how each cure taste.

[@freddrog4689]

the leaves might be drying out faster when on the stem cause the stem is sucking the nutrients/nitrogen out of the leaves in an attempt to survive, just a theory i could be wrong

[@FredrikRollenhagen]

Hi! Great video! I love this plant, and it has been a great experiens to grow them in my garden. I am experimenting with different ways of drying my nicotiana rustica and I have noticed that some leaves get tiny white spots. Not sure if it is mold or not. Right now I am drying most of my leaves hanging indoors with a humidifyer underneath since it tends to get quite dry inside. Not sure what level the humidity should be at, but many leaves turned greenish when dried so I brought this humidifier. Would it be possible to send you a pic and get some feedback on the whit spot thing on the leaves? Do you know how dangerous it could be with mold? Best regards Fredrik

[@carpo9763]

I think my email is in the comments, you can send a picture and I will try. But it's hard to identify. It might be mold, I got some of those this year and it was Fuzzy under the leaf.

[@junieortega3116]

Does rustica doesn't have an effect when it's not yet dried?

[@alexpsychedelia]

No, there's ammonia in the leaves, that's why you have to dry them so they convert into sugar and are safe to smoke. I've seen people try their harvest before they're dried in a pipe, so maybe it's safe to test the smallest amount but then again I'm no expert.

[@Aaron_Barrett]

Do you make yellowing to leaves? Before drying. Thank you

[@jacobwaymo2297]

I ordered some cigars from peru supposedly rolled with that tabbcoe did i get scammed

[@banduwee]

How have these experiments worked for you?

[@johnpots4181]

Does anyone know of a good companion plant that detours the bud worms

[@charlescarabott7692]

I found rustica tobacco one of the easiest plants to grow from seed. Iv just collected my first leafs. Do i dry them in the sun or indoors in shade?

[@jagsvar5914]

For me Directly in the sun

[@carpo9763]

I do both, second half under darkness

[@k-lab3824]

I think you picked them to early mate! Pick from the bottom as they turn yellow. Desucker the laterals and flowers to send the energy to the leaves. Otherwise the plants that you dried on the stalk will be the best mapacho because the stems pull the energy back.

[@carpo9763]

Some of them too early, but I go by the weather. Gets cold and they shrivel

[@k-lab3824]

@@carpo9763 how did it go in the end...looks like you ended up with bit of dried green tabacco. Did you smoke that? From my experience the frosts don't phase the Rustica.

[@carpo9763]

@@k-lab3824 I still have it all, some dried, some fermented

[@unobianconero]

hey man, I can supply the green leaves from farmers but I need to know to ferment them for using as handmade cigars

[@carpo9763]

Buy a book

[@meditationparadise404]

did it go as planned?

[@gavinhookway2756]

Hi carlo. Was looking at your website and could not find an email. Just have a couple of questions regarding Kratom your selling. 😁

[@carpo9763]

you can email me at [e-mail] thanks! :)

[@charlescarabott7692]

Do the leaves have to be yellow when harvesting? Or can they be harvested when green?

[@carpo9763]

Preferably when they start turning yellow but green is okay. I'm no professional at it I need to Learn more too

[@ОлександрЕлій]

@@carpo9763 смотря от сорта махоркі можуть бить зеленими і жолтими.

[@dalelemac3394]

I’ve gotten to the point where I’m curing them under direct sunlight, it takes probably 10-12 days days. Some of my leaves have become completely light brown and have turned bone dry. What would you suggest doing next?

[@chucksneedmoreland]

were you able to figure out how to ferment them?

[@melvincollins5811]

It's called a Tobacco Hornworm... Related to the Tomato Hornworm... Gather them and cook them up, They're edible...

[@kb3630]

How tall they grow ?

[@burtlemorales2934]

What if tobbaco dry green what can do?

[@barfuss.]

Take some colour and paint it dark. No: Tobacco won't dry green if You do as it is recommended.

[@adventureguy4119]

Can you make this into cigars or chew

[@carpo9763]

yes, different drying methods though

[@freddrog4689]

had a brainfart, i was gonna say I heard nicotiana rustica could actually make a good insect repellent but then i realized the worm is eating nicotiana rustica so it would likely not have an effect

[@charlescarabott7692]

I heard some place leaves in water for some weeks and then spray that the water on plants and it kills off all the bugs.

[@GingerWaters]

I think it’s the stems that sucked the green color away from leaves.

[@Isaac-ho8gh]

Funny enough, Rustica tobacco's been growing as an occasional weed near where I live xD

[@robertpattinson2065]

How do I get rid of the green taste?

[@carpo9763]

You have to paint your brain red!

[@bashkillszombies]

Upshot of budworms - they replant the field for you!

[@carpo9763]

True

[@Th3AngryPooch]

Some of the tobacco I’m drying gets green spots on them. I’m 99% sure it’s not mold because it looks like it’s part of the leaf. Is that ok?

[@jagsvar5914]

Just let it sit a bit longer

[@valenciareza7552]

I'm looking to buy the rustica seed any one selling it?

[@carpo9763]

I have a lot.... but none listed on my website. How many do ya need?

[@valenciareza7552]

@@carpo9763 I need around 500 seeds

[@Mikerockinon1]

Will seed mature on the vine after cutting?

[@Pedro-rl8ww]

@@Mikerockinon1 if the pods are fully matured (flower fallen off 1 1/2 weeks or so ago) and the bud looks kinda yellow and round, just hang them with a bit of stem and they'll dry out and continue maturing inside. So just never ever put them upside down if you want a mess where you hang them (the seeds would spill out and it's like really fine sand)

[@M1K3Grow]

Let them yellow on the plant before harvesting

[@crisper1614]

Wow. Great video. Would love to put some in my pipe. 😊

[@PATELPATELABCD]

How much you earn from rustica tobacco per 20 kg raw dry leaf Please reply me bcz I want to sell my tobacco outside from my country. I'm my country per 20 kilograms price is 29.46 usd so we want to sell outside India to make enough money for what we work for prudence this

[@carpo9763]

Selling tobacco requires many different permits and it's a huge legal hassle. I don't sell my tobacco I just grew it because I enjoyed growing. It's unfortunate that the amount you get from 20 kg of dried Leaf is the same that we pay for two packs of cigarettes in the United States...That's all tax If you sell it not for consumption that would be a different story but you still might get yourself into legal problems and confiscation at the border

[@Taydrum]

My only gripe with rustica tobacco is the flowers STINK. Like horrible

[@carpo9763]

really? I like it.

[@Taydrum]

@@carpo9763 Yeah I have a greenhouse with a bunch of rusticas, and when they flower, the greenhouse smells like puke

[@trofimlysenko4576]

this tobacco make you high 10x more than marijuana my bro had try this tobacco.

[@carpo9763]

it is strong.

[@youraveragechannel9825]

It doesnt have any thc or other psychedelic compounds exept nicotine, it gives you a buzz instead of a high.

[@surfing3280]

​@@youraveragechannel9825 nicotine is psychoactive

[@bagusaria1139]

Can u send me the seed🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@carpo9763]

I have some for sale on my website. Carpos Botanicals

[@bagusaria1139]

Ok thank you, i will see your website

[@bagusaria1139]

I¹m already see your website but can't find the rustica seed

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

You should grow kratom in your garden

[@steveandrews8301]

It won't grow up north.

[@MrBladeDude]

Do you smoke it?