What are the planting methods and precautions for Nicotiana (flowering tobacco)

Nicotiana (flowering tobacco) is a plant with high ornamental value, grown mainly for its flowers. The flower color is most commonly red, and it is currently distributed in many parts of our country. Nowadays many people choose to grow Nicotiana, but before planting, the topic everyone is surely most concerned about is its growing techniques.

How to grow Nicotiana

1. After the seeds mature, cut off the large, brightly colored flowers and dry them in the sun to save the seeds. Spring and autumn are the sowing seasons, and sowing in early spring is best. The seeds can be sown directly in an open-field seedbed, or sown in plug trays.

2. When sown directly in an open-field seedbed, there are more soil-borne pests and diseases, the soil temperature is lower, and moisture and humidity are hard to control, which affects the germination rate. At present most flower producers use plug-tray seedling raising, which gives a high survival rate and strong seedlings, and also makes it easy to count the germination rate.

3. The plug-tray seedling substrate should be loose, well aerated, able to retain water and fertilizer, clean and disease-free, and fairly fertile. Commonly used substrates include peat soil, coconut coir, perlite, and vermiculite, usually mixed together.

4. After the tray is filled, sowing can begin, generally 1 seed per cell. After sowing, there is no need to cover with soil; water thoroughly so the seeds make full contact with the substrate. Keep the substrate moist, and cover the sowing tray with glass or transparent plastic film to maintain air humidity; in winter it can also keep in and raise warmth. In summer the film may be omitted, or left unsealed, but both sides must be ventilated. For summer sowing, shading is essential.

Nicotiana planting methods

1. Preparation of the sowing substrate. To sow Nicotiana seeds, we must first prepare the culture substrate. We can choose imported peat, because this kind of peat is of good quality; peat is used as a sowing substrate because it has good ventilation and air permeability and holds moisture very well. Keeping the pH of the medium between 5.5 and 5.8 is very suitable for the germination and growth of Nicotiana seeds. Before sowing, we must first water the peat used as the culture medium thoroughly so that it has sufficient moisture.

2. Sowing method for the seeds. When sowing Nicotiana seeds, simply scatter the Nicotiana seeds directly onto the prepared culture substrate; there is no need to cover them with soil. Giving suitable light is beneficial for the germination of Nicotiana seeds; maintain a certain humidity, but it must not be too wet. The soil temperature is best kept between 24°C and 26°C. If the soil layer is deep enough, then it takes only three to five days for the young roots of Nicotiana to grow out.

3. Care after sowing. After some time the Nicotiana seeds will germinate; at this point the soil humidity can be slightly reduced, and some low-concentration liquid fertilizer can be used along with it to promote the growth of the young shoots. After the root system of Nicotiana gradually develops, we can slightly increase the concentration of the liquid fertilizer, and the light should also be increased appropriately. Nicotiana should be watered according to a certain pattern, not at will.

Precautions for Nicotiana

After the plants are established and survive, pinch out the growing tips once to encourage more branching. During the plum rain season, guard against prolonged dampness; the suitable growing temperature is about 10 to 25 degrees C. The care process is relatively extensive and fairly simple. After spring begins, apply effective fertilizer several more times; this not only gives good growth but also promotes flowering. Because the flowering period is long and the flower colors are vivid, it is suitable for both ground planting and container growing.

Disease control for Nicotiana

1. Mosaic disease. Control method: in the early stage of the disease, apply 1.5% plant disease spirit emulsion at 800 to 1000 times dilution, or virus Bieke wettable powder at 400 to 500 times dilution, or 70% thiophanate-methyl at 500 to 800 times dilution. Apply once a week for 2 to 3 times in a row, alternating the drugs to prevent resistance from developing.

2. Bacterial wilt. Control method: in the early stage of the disease, use agricultural streptomycin at 4000 times dilution or 40% amobam aqueous solution at 800 times dilution, alternating them, drenching the roots once every 7 to 10 days for 2 to 3 times in a row, with 300 to 500 milliliters of solution per plant; it can also be sprayed on the leaves.

Growing Nicotiana is actually not difficult: first choose a good location, then mix the soil as described and sow. After planting, management work must be done well; timely pinching and pest and disease prevention are both essential. Only in this way can the growth of Nicotiana be ensured.