A Detailed Guide to Propagating Nicotiana by Seed
Nicotiana has a long flowering period and bright flower colours, giving it ornamental value. Since its flowering period generally falls between June and September, it is also an excellent flower for summer landscapes. Nicotiana is usually propagated by seed, so how exactly should this be done?
Nicotiana has a long flowering period and bright flower colours, giving it ornamental value. Since its flowering period generally falls between June and September, it is also an excellent flower for summer landscapes. Nicotiana is usually propagated by seed, so how exactly should this be done?
Nicotiana
Nicotiana seeds are small, about 11,500 per gram, and domestic producers in China generally use pelleted seed. The seedling-raising substrate should be imported peat with good moisture retention and good aeration, with a pH of 5.5-5.8; the substrate must be saturated with moisture before sowing.
Seedling raising is divided into 4 stages according to growth performance at the seedling stage:
Stage One
Radicle emergence stage, from sowing until the root is 0.6 cm long and the cotyledons begin to grow. Keep the soil temperature at 24°C-26°C and keep the substrate moderately moist, that is, evenly moist but not saturated; it must not be allowed to dry out at any point during this stage. Do not cover the seed with soil after sowing; light of 1100-4300 lux helps Nicotiana seeds germinate, and using large-cell plug trays favours root development. Under good conditions the young roots appear in 3-5 days. At the end of this stage the radicle has elongated and the root system is forming.
Stage Two
Stems and cotyledons emerge, from the end of Stage One until the root is 1.2-1.4 cm long and the cotyledons have emerged. Lower the soil temperature and keep it at 20°C-24°C, and adjust light to 5400-13000 lux. Once the cotyledons have unfolded, apply 50-75 ppm of a 14-0-14 slow-release fertiliser weekly; once the seedling roots have penetrated the substrate, the soil can be allowed to dry and rewet alternately, but avoid dryness, otherwise the seedlings will stop growing. This stage generally lasts 7-10 days.
Stage Three
Roots grow deep into the plug tray, reaching 2.5 cm, and 2-3 true leaves appear. The focus of this stage should be on watering and fertilisation management so that Nicotiana develops a well-developed root system. Carry out one wet-dry cycle every 24 hours, increase the fertiliser concentration, and generally apply 100-150 ppm nitrogen fertiliser once a week; fertilisers such as 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 can be used alternately. The soil temperature can be gradually lowered and kept at 18°C-21°C; during this stage keep light at 13000-16000 lux, and B9 can be used to control plant habit. This stage generally lasts 4-6 weeks in a 200-cell plug tray.
Stage Four
In the later part of this stage, the well-developed root system fills the entire cell and the flowering stem should have 3-4 leaves. The focus of this stage is still on watering and fertilisation management. The soil temperature must be kept at 16°C-17°C, and light can be increased to 16000-38000 lux. Fertilisation is the same as in Stage Three, but in the later part of this stage, 7-10 days before potting on, watering and fertilisation need to be reduced in order to harden off the seedlings appropriately.
Nicotiana Nicotiana alata Link et Otto Nicotiana illustrated guide: how to grow Nicotiana / how to propagate Nicotiana
Nicotiana fact fileNicotiana Nicotiana alata Link et Otto
How to grow Nicotiana and points to note: an introduction to Nicotiana
Nicotiana, Latin scientific name Nicotiana alata Link et Otto, also known as Nicotiana, long-flowered tobacco, and large-flowered tobacco. A short-lived perennial herb, 0.6-1.5 m tall, entirely covered with sticky hairs. It likes a warm, sunny environment. Native to Argentina and Brazil, it is cultivated in many places in China. It has a certain ornamental value.
Nicotiana is an annual or biennial herb about 80-150 cm tall, with the whole plant densely covered in glandular hairs. The stem is upright and woody at the base; the leaves are alternate, lanceolate or long elliptical. Native to South America, it likes a warm, sunny environment and fertile, loose soil, is drought-tolerant, and is not cold-tolerant.
Morphological characteristics of Nicotiana
Nicotiana is a short-lived perennial herb, 0.6-1.5 m tall, entirely covered with sticky hairs.
The leaves of Nicotiana are spatulate or oblong in the lower part of the stem, with the base slightly clasping the stem or with a winged petiole, becoming ovate or ovate-oblong higher up, nearly sessile or with ears at the base, and becoming lanceolate near the inflorescence. The stem is upright and woody at the base; the leaves are alternate, lanceolate or long elliptical.
The inflorescence is pseudoracemose, with several flowers loosely arranged; the pedicels are 5-20 mm long. The calyx is cup-shaped or bell-shaped, 15-25 mm long, with awl-shaped needle-like lobes of unequal length; the corolla is pale green, the tube 5-10 cm long, the tube diameter about 3-4 mm, the throat diameter about 6-8 mm, the limb 15-25 mm wide, the lobes ovate and mucronate, 2 of them longer than the other 3; the stamens are of unequal length, one of them shorter. The capsule is ovoid-globose, 12-17 mm long.
The loose raceme is terminal, the flower is 30 cm long and about 5 cm in diameter, trumpet-shaped, with a round star-shaped corolla and a small round hole in the centre concealing the stamens and pistil. The small flowers open progressively upwards along the flower stem; flower colours include white, pale yellow, peach red, and purplish red; the outside of the flower is purplish red and the inside white; it opens at night and on cloudy days and closes at midday on sunny days. The flowering period is April to October.
Nicotiana seeds are about 0.7 mm long and grey-brown.
Ecological habits of Nicotiana
Nicotiana likes a warm, sunny environment and fertile, loose soil; it is drought-tolerant and not cold-tolerant. It likes a warm, sunny environment, is not cold-tolerant, and is relatively heat-tolerant.
Sunlight must be adequate; with insufficient sunlight the plants tend to grow leggy, and the flowers are sparse, pale and unattractive. After the plants have established following transplanting, pinch out the growing tips once to encourage more branching. During the plum rain season, guard against prolonged dampness; the optimum growing temperature is about 10-25 degrees.
For cultivating Nicotiana, soil rich in organic matter and sandy loam is best, and drainage must be good; poor drainage easily causes the roots to rot. It likes fertile, deep, well-drained soil.
Cultivation techniques for Nicotiana: raising Nicotiana seedlings
Nicotiana seeds are small, about 11,500 per gram, and domestic producers in China generally use pelleted seed. The seedling-raising substrate should be imported peat with good moisture retention and good aeration, with a pH of 5.5-5.8; the substrate must be saturated with moisture before sowing.
Seedling raising is divided into 4 stages according to growth performance at the seedling stage:
Stage One
Radicle emergence stage, from sowing until the root is 0.6 cm long and the cotyledons begin to grow. Keep the soil temperature at 24°C-26°C and keep the substrate moderately moist, that is, evenly moist but not saturated; it must not be allowed to dry out at any point during this stage. Do not cover the seed with soil after sowing; light of 1100-4300 lux helps Nicotiana seeds germinate, and using large-cell plug trays favours root development. Under good conditions the young roots appear in 3-5 days. At the end of this stage the radicle has elongated and the root system is forming.
Stage Two
Stems and cotyledons emerge, from the end of Stage One until the root is 1.2-1.4 cm long and the cotyledons have emerged. Lower the soil temperature and keep it at 20°C-24°C, and adjust light to 5400-13000 lux. Once the cotyledons have unfolded, apply 50-75 ppm of a 14-0-14 slow-release fertiliser weekly; once the seedling roots have penetrated the substrate, the soil can be allowed to dry and rewet alternately, but avoid dryness, otherwise the seedlings will stop growing. This stage generally lasts 7-10 days.
Stage Three
Roots grow deep into the plug tray, reaching 2.5 cm, and 2-3 true leaves appear. The focus of this stage should be on watering and fertilisation management so that Nicotiana develops a well-developed root system. Carry out one wet-dry cycle every 24 hours, increase the fertiliser concentration, and generally apply 100-150 ppm nitrogen fertiliser once a week; fertilisers such as 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 can be used alternately. The soil temperature can be gradually lowered and kept at 18°C-21°C; during this stage keep light at 13000-16000 lux, and B9 can be used to control plant habit. This stage generally lasts 4-6 weeks in a 200-cell plug tray.
Stage Four
In the later part of this stage, the well-developed root system fills the entire cell and the flowering stem should have 3-4 leaves. The focus of this stage is still on watering and fertilisation management. The soil temperature must be kept at 16°C-17°C, and light can be increased to 16000-38000 lux. Fertilisation is the same as in Stage Three, but in the later part of this stage, 7-10 days before potting on, watering and fertilisation need to be reduced in order to harden off the seedlings appropriately.
Potted flower production of Nicotiana
Nicotiana likes to grow in fertile, well-drained soil. Nicotiana must be potted on promptly, otherwise it will cause severe root binding and ageing of the plants. To ensure smooth growth, the substrate should be as permeable, airy and fertiliser-retentive as possible, with a soil pH of 5.5-5.8; in production, a mixed substrate with a pH of 6.0 can be used. Soil temperature is very important at this stage; for newly transplanted seedlings, the daytime temperature should be 18°C-21°C and the nighttime temperature should be 16°C-18°C. Too low a temperature will cause albino seedlings, and a sharp rise in temperature will cause leaf scorch and, in severe cases, the death of some seedlings. The first watering after transplanting must be thorough, otherwise it will affect the survival rate and the uniformity of later potted flower growth. The seedling stage of Nicotiana is very important, and its later growth is also important.
The growth period is simply divided into two stages:
Stage One
Vegetative growth stage; this stage is mainly the period of vigorous branching and plant formation in Nicotiana, and the quality of conditions directly affects later growth. Keep the substrate alternately dry and moist to promote normal root growth; this stage has a great demand for fertiliser, so to promote vegetative growth, watering and fertilisation are carried out alternately, using 20-10-20 and 15-0-15 slow-release fertilisers alternately at 150-200 ppm. An adequate supply of fertiliser and good light conditions are the key to this stage. Under good conditions the vegetative mass is fully formed in 20-25 days, with a small number of flowers formed but not yet reaching the desired effect.
Stage Two
Reproductive growth stage; this stage is mainly to promote the formation of large numbers of flowers so as to achieve the desired effect. In this stage, besides still keeping the substrate alternately dry and moist, the regulation of light and fertiliser is still key. To promote an increase in flower number, this stage requires fertilisers based mainly on P and K; 10-30-20 and 20-10-20 slow-release fertilisers can be applied alternately at a concentration of 150 ppm once or twice a week. For products marketed from September to February of the following year, the light duration must be extended while fertilising; if 10 hours cannot be achieved in production, light interruption can be used to promote flowering. However, some varieties such as 'Domino' and 'Hummingbird' do not need long-day treatment to flower, so choosing varieties can also be a way to save costs in production.
Propagation methods of Nicotiana
Nicotiana is commonly propagated by sowing or division.
Nicotiana seeds are small, about 11,500 per gram, and domestic producers now generally use pelleted seed. The seedling-raising substrate should be imported peat with good moisture retention and good aeration, with a pH of 5.5-5.8; the substrate must be saturated with moisture before sowing. Seedling raising is divided into 4 stages according to growth performance at the seedling stage:
Sowing and transplanting
Nicotiana grows slowly at the seedling stage, so it is easy to sow in January-February. Scatter the seeds evenly on the soil surface; the seeds need light and must not be covered with soil, so they should be fully exposed to light; water to maintain moisture, then cover the soil surface with a piece of transparent plastic sheeting. Transplant and cultivate when the seedlings have 4-6 true leaves.
How to grow Nicotiana: care
Nicotiana grows slowly at the seedling stage, so it is easy to sow in January-February and transplant into flower pots or garden beds in early spring. The care process is fairly extensive and relatively simple. Applying effective fertiliser several times after the beginning of spring not only gives good growth but also promotes flowering. It has a long flowering period and bright flower colours.
Cultivation management
The cultivation soil is best as sandy loam rich in organic matter, and drainage must be good; poor drainage easily causes the roots to rot. Sunlight must be adequate; with insufficient sunlight the plants tend to grow leggy, and the flowers are sparse, pale and unattractive. After the plants have established following transplanting, pinch out the growing tips once to encourage more branching. During the plum rain season, guard against prolonged dampness; the optimum growing temperature is about 10-25 degrees C. The care process is fairly extensive and relatively simple. Applying effective fertiliser several times after the beginning of spring not only gives good growth but also promotes flowering. Because of its long flowering period and bright flower colours, it is very suitable for both ground planting and pot planting.
Cultivation data
Number of seeds per gram (seeds/gram): 11,500 seeds/gram; germination conditions: 21-25°C, no soil covering; days required for germination: 10-15 days; optimum growing temperature (day temperature/night temperature): 15-17°C; light requirement and other growing conditions: partial shade or partial light; time from sowing to flowering (or harvest): 9-10 weeks; ground-planted height (cm): 40-45 cm.
Disease control of Nicotiana
Diseases in the later growth stage of Nicotiana are relatively serious; comprehensive control should be noted during production, with regular pesticide application, and at the same time care should be taken to prevent leaf rot and other problems after consecutive cloudy days in summer.
Variety classification of Nicotiana
Because of its compact plants, continuous flowering and abundant flowers, Nicotiana has been used more in flat landscaping in the past two years, with good performance both in groups and as individuals. There are many varieties of Nicotiana. When choosing varieties, attention should be paid to ornamental quality, focusing on varieties with brilliant flower colours and a long flowering period.
Nicotiana is divided into the following 3 types according to plant form:
Tall types generally have fewer branches, a height of about 45-55 cm, and a spread that can reach 35-40 cm in the later stage. These varieties are usually used as background material in flat landscaping, and include series such as "Perfume".
Medium-tall types also generally have fewer branches and are taller than ordinary types, reaching about 25-30 cm, with a spread that can also reach 30-35 cm in the later stage. These varieties are often used in flat landscaping, and include series such as "Hummingbird".
Ordinary types generally have more branches and are shorter, only about 10-15 cm; these varieties are often used in flat landscaping, and the compact types can also be used as semi-three-dimensional material. They include series such as "Domino", "Havana", and "Saratoga".
Distribution area of Nicotiana
Nicotiana is native to Argentina and Brazil in South America; it likes a warm, sunny environment and fertile, loose soil, is drought-tolerant, and is not cold-tolerant.
It has been introduced and cultivated in cities such as Harbin, Beijing, and Nanjing in our country.
Uses of Nicotiana: pot planting
The Nicotiana variety 'Saratoga' is currently the earliest-flowering F1 hybrid on the market with excellent flowering uniformity, performing well under both strong light and shaded conditions.
The plant is clump-forming, making production and management easy in small pots; the striking flowers are presented upright on the plant, creating a great visual impact. 'Saratoga' has 7 flower colours and 1 mixed colour, and is suitable for pots, flower beds, and flower borders.
Landscape uses of Nicotiana
Nicotiana is suitable for planting in flower beds, lawns, courtyards, roadsides, and forest edges, and can also be grown in pots.
Cultural background of Nicotiana
Story and legend
Nicotiana is the embodiment of the tragic love of a Greek water nymph.
There was a water nymph who could not speak and fell in love with a handsome young man, but the young man was surrounded by a group of admirers. The water nymph, unable to speak, could not express her love and could only watch him leave from afar in sorrow. Day after day, the water nymph's life gradually faded away. Although she lost her life, her love continued to keep watch over the young man with deep affection. And so, where she died, lovely little flowers grew one after another... This is Nicotiana.
The flower language of Nicotiana
The flower language of Nicotiana: no other love but you.
Nicotiana pictures
Nicotiana
Other names for Nicotiana
Nicotiana, also known as long-flowered tobacco, beautiful-flowered tobacco, tobacco flower, large-flowered tobacco, and tobacco seedling flower.
Growth habits of Nicotiana
Nicotiana likes a warm, sunny growing environment; it is heat-tolerant and not cold-tolerant. It requires loose, fertile soil rich in humus. During cultivation, water and fertiliser management need to be done well, and care should be taken that it is not too damp during the rainy season.
Uses of Nicotiana
Nicotiana can be grown in pots for ornamental purposes, and can also be planted in flower beds, courtyards, lawns, roadsides, or forest edges, all with good ornamental effects.
Propagation methods of Nicotiana
When propagating Nicotiana, seed sowing and cuttings are mostly used. Nicotiana seed sowing is carried out in early spring.