Is Rustica an Annual or Perennial?

[NewTobaccoGrower]

Nicotiana tabacum is about 90%+ self-pollinated. Unintentional crossing occurs mostly by insect, though hummingbirds may sometimes play a role. But mostly moths, flies, bees do the cross-pollination.

Since I have assorted flying insects sneaking into my house during the summer, I have bagged seed heads for the few times that I kept plants indoors. Only on those occasions did I ever see whiteflies and aphids inside my house.

Bob

Thanks, I was thinking mainly of their being under a screen on the enclosed patio, as far as being "indoors". But it sounds like even there I'd have to bag all of them, just to be sure I'm collecting 100% "pure" seeds. And I was worried about having to tie the bags VERY tight, to keep tiny insects from somehow working their way inside. But since it sounds like only larger insects cross-pollinate, as opposed to tiny fungus gnats, I wouldn't have too much to worry about in an enclosed area.

 

[deluxestogie]

Just wrap a string around the bottom of the bag a couple of times, and tie a shoelace bow. Or you can use releasable Zip ties.

Bob

 

[NewTobaccoGrower]

When do you top Rustica? I have seen some threads in which the instructions say "harvest 4 weeks after topping" etc, but how do you know when to top it? Others say they never top it. Do you top as soon as the buds/flowering bodies appear, or?

 

[Alpine]

Top your rusticas when the flower head appears, but be prepared: once topped, rusticas develop suckers at a crazy (and I mean CRAZY) rate. Many growers don’t bother to top rusticas, but this slows leaf ripening and the quality of the leaves is inferior (I.e. thinner and smaller).

pier

 

[johnny108]

Not topping rusticas also keeps the nicotine from reaching its peak levels.

 

[NewTobaccoGrower]

Top your rusticas when the flower head appears, but be prepared: once topped, rusticas develop suckers at a crazy (and I mean CRAZY) rate. Many growers don’t bother to top rusticas, but this slows leaf ripening and the quality of the leaves is inferior (I.e. thinner and smaller).

pier

How long after you top them (i.e. after flowers appear) should you harvest? And, do you harvest the bottom leaves first and then wait to harvest the upper ones (like you do with other varieties) or does it make a difference? Not that it matters too much-- they don't have many leaves anyway.

 

[Alpine]

Depending on weather, stalk harvest 3 to 4 weeks after topping: an overripe rustica doesn’t exist!

pier