Cigar Plant

When you need to mix smoking with horticulture

Cuphea ignea Cigar Plant, Cigar Flower

Granted, this may not do the trick if you need flowers to say sorry - better off doing that "standard" route of the flower shop or 7-11. But it may be a good way to enjoy some outdoor time and fresh air.

Year-round flowering, attractive small foliage and a neat, round shape help to make Cigar flower a nice addition to any landscape (Fig. 1). It is not readily available in quantity, but can occasionally be purchased at specialty garden centers. Plants grow no more than about 2-feet-tall and 3-feet-wide and will attract attention in the shrub or perennial border. Many stems arise near the base of the plant but they branch infrequently. Flowers are continually produced on new growth during the warm seasons in Florida. It can be used as an annual bedding plant elsewhere because frost kills it to the ground.

Scientific name: Cuphea ignea

Pronunciation: KOO-fee-uh IG-nee-uh

Common name(s): Cigar Plant, Cigar Flower

Family: Lythraceae

Plant type: shrub

USDA hardiness zones: 9B through 11 (Fig. 2)

Planting month for zone 9: year round

Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round

Origin: not native to North America

Uses: container or above-ground planter; specimen; foundation; attracts hummingbirds

Description

Height: 1 to 3 feet

Spread: 2 to 3 feet

Plant habit: round

Plant density: dense

Growth rate: moderate

Texture: fine

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: elliptic (oval)

Leaf venation: bowed

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen

Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no fall color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: red

Flower characteristic: year-round flowering

Fruit

Fruit shape: elongated, but not a flower to say sorry with

Fruit length: less than .5 inch

Fruit cover: dry or hard

Fruit color: unknown

Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked or clumping stems; not particularly showy

Current year stem/twig color: reddish

Current year stem/twig thickness: thin

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun

Soil tolerances: loam; acidic; clay; sand; alkaline

Drought tolerance: moderate

Soil salt tolerances: poor

Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches

Other

Roots: usually not a problem

Winter interest: plant has winter interest due to unusual form, nice persistent fruits, showy winter trunk, or winter flowers

Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

In central and south Florida, cut plants to the ground when warm weather returns in the spring. Plants can be cut back in other regions after danger of frost leaves the region in the spring. This stimulates fresh growth from the base of the plant and removes last years twigs.

A sunny or partially shaded location gives the best growth. Soils should be kept moist.

Pests and Diseases

Cigar flower resists most pest and diseases problems.

Storage of Cigar Case Collection

After establishing your collection, properly storing it ensures that it will remain in good condition for many years to come. If you display your antique cigar boxes, place them in a dry area away from the ground – especially if you have children or pets. Clear gun cases can be modified to showcase your cigar box collection and are equipped with locks to protect your cases from theft and damage. Never store your cigar boxes in a damp basement or public storage facility. Damage from mold and pests can destroy the value of a beautiful antique cigar box.

Pre-Civil War Cigar Boxes

If you’re particularly lucky, you can find unconventional cigar boxes that pre-date the Civil War. Unlike the standard cigar box, these cigar boxes were perfect squares. Cigars were inserted vertically, rather than horizontally, into the box and the manufacturer subsequently nailed the lid shut. A pre-Civil war cigar box in good condition commands a high value among seasoned collectors.

Valuable Cigar Boxes and Online Auction Listings

If you’re a novice collector, you may be tempted to begin your search by browsing online auction listings. Unfortunately, you’re unlikely to find a good deal on vintage cases online. The competition for online auction listings is fiercer than that of the most popular antique store. You’ll naturally find yourself competing with buyers for whom price is no object, and bargaining isn't a feature most online auctions offer.

The benefit of browsing online auction listings for antique smoking memorabilia, however, is that the price a vintage cigar case sells for gives you a rough idea of how much the box will fetch on the open market.

Flowers To Say Sorry? Or Cigars.

Is your relationship on a jagged road? Do you need to give a humongous apology? Are flowers to say sorry not cutting it?

If you are in a situation that warrants a really big apology, you are not alone. Thousands of others have been where you are and have managed to make it through.

The fact that you are here reading this, shows that you care about the other person. You want to make things right between the two of you. And that is very commendable.

If you need more than flowers to say sorry, here are some tips to help you out.

First step in your apology is to agree. I've been at the receiving of a supposed apology where the other person kept on and on about why they did not mean to hurt me. And I can tell you that hearing all of that only made me more upset. It is as if they are telling me that they are right and I am wrong. And all I want is an apology, a sincere apology and for them to admit that yes, they did hurt me. To me, it wasn't sincere, but was more of a self justification act.

So, when you give an apology, give it with heartfelt sincerity. It will show through your face and your voice. When you give your apology, do just that, don't try to explain why you did what you did. Just admit the fact that what you did hurt them and you are truly sorry for that.

Next, you can thank them. In this step, you could add flowers to say sorry. Think of something nice they did and give them sincere praise for it. It can even be along the line of thanking them for bringing the matter to your attention since it will make you a better person.

Where to Find Antique Cigar Boxes

By far one of the best places to find antique cigar boxes is at a yard sale given by your local veteran’s organization. Veteran’s organizations are often comprised of elderly individuals who performed military service overseas and may have purchased and brought home old cigar boxes from other countries. Other places to find valuable and collectible cigar boxes include:

• Small antique shops
• Flea markets
• Church yard sales
• Estate sales

The best antique shops to scour for vintage cigar boxes are those “hole-in-the-wall” places that aren’t frequented by tourists or big-city collectors. Popular antique stores are quickly picked over and you’re unlikely to find valuable cigar cases to add to your collection when competing with other collectors.

Determining Value of Vintage Cigar Box

Cigar boxes keep cigars fresh and help them maintain their flavor over a longer period of time. Although modern cigar boxes can be made out of a variety of materials, including cardboard, antique cigar boxes are almost always constructed entirely out of wood. These vintage boxes make ideal holiday gifts or can help you complete your collection.

Determining the Value of a Vintage Cigar Box

Like most collectible items, the value of a given cigar box rests at least partially on its condition. Your goal when buying cigar boxes strictly for their monetary value should be to purchase boxes that lack mold, water damage or chipped pieces. Inspect each box carefully for signs of damage or misuse before making your purchase, as antiques are often not refundable. Perform the following inspections of the cigar case before making your purchase:

• Evaluate the interior condition of the wood or felt
• Check for fading
• Examine the label for signs of peeling
• Check the bottom of the box for manufacture stamps

An experienced collector or reputable antiques appraiser in your area should be able to give you an estimate of your cigar box’s value. Keep in mind, however, that if the individual shows interest in purchasing your cigar box, he may have incentive to appraise the case for less than its actual value in the interest of making a deal.