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Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana) Planting and Care Guide
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Quick Facts About Nicotiana
Flowering Tobacco is a sun-loving, versatile plant with a lovely aroma. Nicotiana is easily propagated by flower seeds, and whether grown in a container or in the landscape, this plant is very showy and easy to grow. Upward facing, star-shaped 2 inch flowers fill your summer evenings with an intoxicating perfume. Nicotiana plants are heat tolerant and heavy blooming. The stems are perfect for cutting and last well in a vase.
Planting Time
Start Nicotiana seeds indoors 4 - 6 weeks prior to the end of frost season. Or, for areas with warm springs, start the seeds directly outside.
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Planting Location
Nicotiana plants prefer full sun to partial shade and fertile, moist, well-draining soil. The plants are perfect for beds, borders and cottage gardens. Nicotiana plants may need some protection from wind.
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How to Plant Nicotiana
- Fill starter trays with moisten seed starting soil
- The Nocotiana seeds need light for germination, so press the seeds into the soil but do not cover them
- Mist down the surface of the soil daily to keep the seeds moist
- Set the trays in a bright sunny window or under grow lights (14 hours a day) for growing
- Once the seedlings reach several inches in height, pinch back the center stem to encourage branching
- Provide a balanced water soluable fertilizer that is diluted to half strength
- As temperatures warm outdoors, harden off the seedlings for 7 - 10 days prior to transplanting out
- Or, once frost danger has passed, weed the area and work the soil to a depth of several inches
- Add compost to improve the soil
- Rake and smooth the soil, tamp it down and press the seeds down every few inches
- Keep the area moist for germination
- Thin to the strongest seedling every 14 inches
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Care And Maintenance
- Irrigate consistently to establish the plants, and then irrigate as needed, espeicially during dry periods
- Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage new blooms and to keep the plant looking tidy
- Mulch around the base of the plant to suppress weeds and to help hold in moisture
- Watch for pests or disease and remove any damaged foliage
- When about half of the flowers are opened on the stem, cut the stem for putting in the vase