Cigars and gardening: Tobacco Mosaic Virus

[saltbox]

My fiancee and I just bought our first home! As sad as I am to lose my apartment and its view of the city, I'm excited about being able to grow and maintain a garden. I came across some articles about Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) and how annoyingly resilient it can be, especially with certain plants like tomatoes.

I figure there must be some avid gardeners here. Has anyone actually had to deal with TMV before? How much of a risk is it nowadays from handling cigars, Cuban or otherwise?

[Bijan]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1386653212003162#:~:text=Background,and from lung cancerous matter.

Paper on TMV in cigarette smokers' lungs. I guess full article might have something on how it might infect other things from there or just info on cigar/cigarette tobacco and TMV.

 

Another resource:

"Can tobacco products carry TMV?

Yes, tobacco products can carry the virus and using them without washing your hands afterwards can potentially spread TMV. For that reason, do not use tobacco in the greenhouse or without washing your hands prior to handling plant material.".

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/common_question_and_answers_about_tobacco_mosaic_virus

[saltbox]

Yep, have seen a lot of those papers which is what's making me a bit paranoid. There did seem to be a lack of real world discussion about this happening in comparison to the volume of scientific papers, though, which is why I'm curious as to if my fears are a bit overblown. Maybe modern tobacco varieties are TMV-resistant, although even if so I don't know if they don't get infected or are simply asymptomatic.

[Bijan]

I'm not an expert but I'd assume washing your hands between smoking and gardening and not throwing out your cigar butts in your yard should be good enough. Unless you enjoy smoking while gardening, or if farming is your livelihood I probably wouldn't worry about it beyond that.

[El Presidente]

My tomatoes are going great guns. 

......and I garden while enjoying a cigar 

 

[FlyingGlass]

4 hours ago, philipl said:

My fiancee and I just bought our first home! As sad as I am to lose my apartment and its view of the city, I'm excited about being able to grow and maintain a garden. I came across some articles about Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) and how annoyingly resilient it can be, especially with certain plants like tomatoes.

I figure there must be some avid gardeners here. Has anyone actually had to deal with TMV before? How much of a risk is it nowadays from handling cigars, Cuban or otherwise?

Congratulations on the new house and upvote for the garden!  Absolutely go for it. There's nothing like fresh tomatoes or other produce from your own efforts. Honestly helps you to appreciate the work and patience that goes into cultivating your food and likewise instills admiration and astonishment for the people, process, and care that goes into providing us with the fine cigars we enjoy.

 I'll admit I'd never given TMV thought, but after doing some reading with the local extension...I won't be putting the leafy remains in my garden boxes. Chances might be low, but seems this stuff likes to stick around once it makes its way in. I'm glad Rob has avoided problems as I do enjoy a cigar while working in the yard. 😀
 

[Bijan]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

My tomatoes are going great guns. 

......and I garden while enjoying a cigar 

There is zero danger from the smoke. So smoking itself is no danger.

The danger would be from mechanical spread from tobacco to hands to plants. Probably pretty low anyways.

[Chas.Alpha]

2 hours ago, Bijan said:

There is zero danger from the smoke. So smoking itself is no danger.

The danger would be from mechanical spread from tobacco to hands to plants. Probably pretty low anyways.

Oh, good Lord! I’m only getting my COVID shot tomorrow and now THIS???

[saltbox]

Thanks! If El Pres can have no problems without going through hazmat decontamination procedures, sounds like it's not going to be a problem. 😄