I live in a hardcore tobacco-producing area- Connecticut valley shade-grown leaf comes from around here. It grows in rich floodplain soil and the farmers stretch gauze shade-cloth over the crops to keep the leaves from getting scorched and tough. This is premium rolling leaf for the cigar trade. I believe flower spikes have to be removed- that's something you'd want to look up. It's susceptible to mosaic virus. You may not have that problem since you are more than likely growing in a spot where tobacco has never been grown before.