Shag Isleta Pueblo Seeds

Shag Isleta Pueblo is a Nicotiana rustica variety. Its name points to Isleta Pueblo in New Mexico, and the listing describes it as a Native American type. Nicotiana rustica is a different species from the more widely grown Nicotiana tabacum: it carries greenish-yellow flowers where N. tabacum has pink ones. This page covers what we can state about the plant and how to start it from seed.

Also known as: Aztec tobacco, mapacho, wild tobacco (all names of the species Nicotiana rustica)

Plant facts

• Species: Nicotiana rustica.
• Habit: compact and bushy, with sturdy stems and dense foliage.
• Height: about 1 to 1.2 m (3.3 to 4 ft), according to the product listing.
• Leaves: medium-sized and bright green.
• Climate: the listing describes it as suited to arid and semi-arid conditions, with tolerance of heat and low water.

Sowing and growing

The sowing advice below comes from the product listing for this variety.

• When: sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost.
• How: press the seeds lightly onto the surface of the mix and do not cover them, because they need light to germinate.
• Soil: well-drained sandy or loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Mixing in organic compost is recommended.
• Light: full sun.
• Water: sparingly. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings, since the variety is described as a low-water type.

Because the seed is left uncovered, keep the tray in bright light and do not let the surface dry out completely.

What we do not have yet

No seed specifications have been recorded for this variety. That means we do not publish a germination percentage, a viability period or a time to emergence, and we would rather leave those out than guess. If you sow it, a small test sowing before you commit a whole tray is a sensible way to see how a lot behaves in your conditions.

FAQ

What are the sowing conditions?

Surface sowing in bright light, with the seed pressed in but not buried, in a well-drained mix. After emergence, full sun and sparing water suit the plant according to the listing.

When should I sow?

Indoors, 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Check your local frost date and count back from it.

How tall does it grow?

The listing gives a height of about 1 to 1.2 m for a compact, bushy plant. Final height varies with soil, spacing and water, so treat the range as a guide.

How is this species different from common tobacco?

Nicotiana rustica has greenish-yellow flowers, while Nicotiana tabacum has pink ones. The two are separate species, so sowing advice written for one should not be assumed to apply to the other unless it says so.