Tobacco Burley Original Seeds

Burley Original is a variety of Nicotiana tabacum, the cultivated tobacco plant. The product card describes it as a robust, upright plant with broad, slightly puckered leaves that are light green during growth. The notes below cover how the plant is described and how the seeds are sown and grown, using the details listed on the card for this variety.

Also known as: common tobacco, cultivated tobacco, tambaku (Hindi), tabaco (Spanish/Portuguese), tabac (French), Tabak (German), tutün (Turkish)

About the plant

• Species: Nicotiana tabacum, grown from seed.
• Habit: robust and upright, reaching roughly 5 to 6 feet (about 1.5 to 1.8 m) in height.
• Leaves: broad and slightly puckered, light green while the plant is growing.
• Adaptability: the card describes the variety as adaptable to various climates and consistent with proper care.

Burley is a leaf type within Nicotiana tabacum, and Burley Original is the classic form of that type. The seed is offered here for gardeners and plant collectors who want to grow a tall, broad-leaved Nicotiana in their own plot and watch it develop through the season.

Growing Burley Original from seed

• Sowing indoors: start the seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date in your area.
• Light: press the seeds lightly onto the soil surface and do not cover them, because they need light to germinate. Nicotiana seed is very fine, so a gentle mist is kinder than a heavy pour.
• Soil: well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Working organic matter into the bed before planting supports growth.
• Sun and water: give the plants full sun and water consistently, keeping the soil moist but never waterlogged.
• Transplanting: move seedlings outdoors after the last frost once they are large enough to handle. Because the mature plant stands 5 to 6 feet tall and has broad leaves, leave generous room between plants so the foliage has space and air can move through the row.

Keep a simple record of your sowing and transplanting dates. It helps you compare one season with the next and see how your own light, soil and weather affect the plants.

Seed sowing checklist

• Use a fine, well-drained seed-starting mix and moisten it before sowing.
• Scatter the seed thinly over the surface and press it in lightly, leaving it uncovered.
• Place the tray where it gets bright light, and keep the surface evenly moist rather than soaked.
• Thin or pot on the seedlings once they are big enough to handle, then harden them off before they go outdoors.

FAQ

What conditions do the seeds need to germinate?

The seeds need light, so press them onto the surface of moist, well-drained soil and leave them uncovered.

When should I sow Burley Original?

Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in your area, then transplant the seedlings outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.

How tall does Burley Original grow?

The plant is described as robust and upright, reaching about 5 to 6 feet. Its leaves are broad and slightly puckered, so plan your spacing and any support for a tall plant with large foliage.

Plant size and leaf size will vary with climate, soil and season.