Shag MATSUIFIELD Seeds

Shag Matsui Field is a variety of Nicotiana rustica that grows up to 1.2 m (about 4 ft) tall. It is a medium-sized plant with sturdy stems and broad, lance-shaped leaves that are large and thick. This listing is for seed of the plant, offered for sowing and growing in the garden.

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

About the species

Nicotiana rustica belongs to the nightshade family, Solanaceae, and comes from the Americas. It is a different species from common tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum, and the two are easy to tell apart in the garden: rustica has thick, sturdy stems and broad leaves, and its flowers are a greenish yellow rather than pink. The seed is very small, so it is handled gently at sowing and is never buried.

Plant at a glance

• Species: Nicotiana rustica
• Variety: Shag Matsui Field
• Height: up to 1.2 m (about 4 ft)
• Stems: sturdy
• Leaves: broad, lance-shaped, large and thick
• Light: full sun
• Soil: well-drained and fertile, pH 6.0 to 7.0

Sowing Shag Matsui Field

Start the seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in your area. Press the seed lightly onto the soil surface and do not cover it, because it needs light to germinate. Because the seed is so fine, a shallow tray or small pots filled with fine, damp seed-starting mix work better than deep containers.

• Sowing time: indoors, 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost
• Depth: on the surface, pressed in lightly and left uncovered
• Light: needed for germination

The product card does not give a germination temperature or a germination time for this variety, so keep the tray in a warm, bright place and check it regularly instead of counting on a fixed number of days.

Soil, sun and water

Choose a spot in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 suits this variety, and mixing organic matter into the bed improves the soil before planting. Water regularly so the soil stays moist, but do not let it become waterlogged, because standing water is hard on the roots. Move seedlings outdoors only after the last frost has passed.

Planning space for this variety

At up to 1.2 m, Shag Matsui Field is a plant of middling height with stout stems and large leaves. Leave enough room between plants for the leaves to open out and for air to move through the bed. A position at the back of a border or in a large container in full sun is a reasonable choice for a plant this size.

FAQ

What does Shag Matsui Field need to germinate?

Light and moisture. Press the seed onto the surface of the soil without covering it, and keep the soil damp while the seedlings emerge.

When should I sow it?

Indoors, 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in your area. Plant the seedlings outside once the frost has passed.

How tall does it grow?

Up to 1.2 m (about 4 ft), with sturdy stems and broad, lance-shaped leaves.