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Tobacco seeds need to be started indoors in late November to early December in a cold frame or hot house 3-4 months before the last frost is expected, usually around mid-March.
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When starting the seeds, the ground should be kept moist but not damp.
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Seeds should be fertilized intermittently with the watering
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Seeds germinate in 7-10 days in a hot house or cold frame.
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Seedlings should be fertilized every 3-4 weeks with a seaweed/fish emulsion.
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Seeds mature to seedlings within 4-6 weeks of planting in the hot house or cold frame.
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When planting the seedlings, you should cover the roots and 1" of the plant to ensure it will take a stronghold in the ground.
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When planting seedlings that are 6-8" tall, you should leave 4-6" of the plant above ground. Plants should be set 2-3' apart in rows that are 3 1/2-4' apart.
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When seedligns are planted, they should be watered every day for the first few days until they start growing in the ground.
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Once the plants are growing, they should be fertilized once a week with a low-chlorine fertilizer that only has nitrogen as a nitrate, until the plants begin to flower.
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Once the plants are growing, you need to watch for pests that like tobacco. These include nematodes, budworms, hornworms, and pathogens.
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Pesticides that eliminate nematodes, budworms, hornworms, and pathogens are Nemacor, Prowl, and Admire. Use these pesticides only as needed when you see pest damage on the tobacco plants.
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The estimated production timeframe is approximately 3 months after the seedlings have been planted.
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Tobacco is an extremely hardy plant and will grow where other agriculture crops won't
