Tobacco Soviet Large-Leaved Seeds

Soviet Large-Leaved is a variety of Nicotiana tabacum, the cultivated tobacco species. It is described as a very tall plant, 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 metres), with a strong upright stem and exceptionally large, broad leaves that can reach 30 inches (76 cm) in length and 15 inches (38 cm) in width. This page is for gardeners who like to grow large-leaved Nicotiana and have a sunny bed with room for a plant of this size.

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

About the plant

• Species: Nicotiana tabacum, variety Soviet Large-Leaved.
• Height: 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 metres).
• Stem: strong and upright.
• Leaves: broad, slightly wrinkled, bright green, up to 30 by 15 inches (76 by 38 cm).
• Flowers: pink to light purple, opening in late summer.
• Site: full sun, well-drained and fertile soil.

With a plant this tall and leaves this wide, the main planning question is space and shade. Put it at the back of a bed, where its stems will not shade lower plants, and leave the spacing given below so each plant has room for its leaves.

Growing

Nicotiana seed is dust-fine and needs light to germinate, so it is never buried. Fill a tray with fine, moist seed mix, level it, scatter the seed thinly over the surface and press it gently down so it makes contact with the mix. Do not cover it.

• Timing: sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date in your area.
• Sowing: on the surface, pressed in lightly, uncovered.
• Temperature: keep the tray warm, around 75 degrees F (24 degrees C).
• Moisture: keep the mix consistently moist.
• Germination: usually within 7 to 14 days.
• Transplanting: when seedlings are 3 to 4 inches (about 8 to 10 cm) tall, and only after the last frost.
• Watering: regular, especially in dry spells, to support steady growth.

Planning the season

Two dates matter for this variety. The first is the indoor sowing date, 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost. The second is the planting-out date, which comes after that frost has passed. Find your local last frost date first, then count back from it. In a cool climate with a late last frost, the sowing date falls later in the calendar than it does in a mild one.

The 7 to 14 day germination range is a typical window, not a guarantee, and a cool tray will slow it down. Because the seed lies uncovered on the surface, water it with a fine mist from a spray bottle rather than a can, which can wash the seed into clumps or to the edge of the tray.

Once the seedlings are outdoors, check the bed during dry periods and water regularly, because a tall plant with broad leaves needs steady moisture.

Photographs

The gallery on this page shows archive photographs supplied by Deodar Seeds. They have not yet had a visual review against this variety, so treat them as a general guide to Nicotiana foliage and habit and not as proof of one particular trait.

FAQ

How do I sow Soviet Large-Leaved seed?

Press the seed lightly onto the surface of moist, fine growing mix and do not cover it, because it needs light to germinate. Keep the tray at about 75 degrees F (24 degrees C) and keep the mix moist. Germination usually takes 7 to 14 days.

When should I sow it?

Start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date, then move seedlings outdoors after the last frost, once they are 3 to 4 inches tall. The calendar date depends on your local frost dates.

How tall does it grow?

It is described as growing 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 metres), with leaves up to 30 inches (76 cm) long. Plant it 2 to 3 feet (about 60 to 90 cm) from its neighbours, in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil.