Nicotiana excelsior x Nicotiana gossei – Native Tobacco hybrid (seed)

Description

A hybrid of Nicotiana excelsior and Nicotiana gossei, bred by Darren @ Herbalistics. Many native tobacco species will hybridise with other Australian species, but in most cases the F1 offspring will not be capable of producing further generations due to physiological incompatibilities, such as length of style and pollen growth rates, or genetic incompatibility, such as chromosome number. Nicotiana excelsior x Nicotiana gossei has proven the exception in our trials and here we present F6/F7 seed. We have deliberately allowed for some variation in physiological attributes, such as trichome levels on plants, different style length in flowers, etc. so that the customer can choose to develop what works well for their climate.

Nicotiana excelsior is a strong leafy plant almost devoid of hairs, its large alternate leaves and a dull green and mostly smooth. The tubular white flowers are very pleasantly night scented. Annual to short lived perennial. Nicotiana excelsior is restricted to ranges of north-western SA and southern NT where it grows in sheltered areas in rocky gullies and creek lines. Collections from Fraser Ra. WA, and Mt. Lyndhurst, SA, may not be from natural populations since the species is highly valued by Aborigines and probably dispersed by them to areas outside natural range. Highly valued by Aboriginals as a native tobacco. It was traditionally mixed with ash and chewed. Nicotiana excelsior info at Flora SA.

Nicotiana gossei is called ‘Ingulba’ or ‘Mingulba’ by Aboriginal people of Central Australia. Traditionally, the leaves and stems are pounded with the ash made by burning the wood or leaves of Acacia species. It was then chewed for its narcotic effects. Nicotiana gossei is an inland species found in the ranges of southern Northern Territory and around the western Queensland border around the Tropic of Capricorn.

Care and Cultivation of Nicotiana excelsior x Nicotiana gossei

Nicotiana excelsior x Nicotiana gossei does not require any special treatment to germinate. Simply sow Nicotiana excelsior x Nicotiana gossei like other tobacco seeds (sprinkle on the surface of a good quality sandy/well drained potting mix and water in gently. Germination will occur within 7-21 days. If you have trouble germinating, you can use wet and dry cycles to stimulate germination or GA3. A good soil mix is high in inorganic materials such as sand, pumice, gravel, etc. Keep moist until germination, you can use a spray bottle. Likes plenty of roots pace in a sandy/well drained position. Full sun. Drought tolerant. I find this species does best in SE QLD autumn and winter.

Approx 25+ seeds per packet