«American 14» Heirloom Tobacco Seeds

bred by the breeding laboratory of the Crimean Experimental Tobacco Growing Station IViV "Magarach" by the method of intraspecific hybridization from crossing varieties American 3 x Dyubek Novy, obtaining the first generation in 1994. Refers to skeletal-aromatic varieties of medium ripening for the manufacture of skeletal and blended tobacco raw materials.

This mid-season variety of tobacco is drought-resistant and resistant to leaf burning, has improved smoking properties. It has a green leaf color, a cylindrical plant with a height of 170-180 cm. The number of days from germination to the readiness of seedlings in greenhouses (cold ridges) is 52 days.

Number of days from landing:

    • a) until the leaves of medium breakage ripen 74 days;
    • b) until the leaves of the last breakage ripen 112 days;
    • c) before flowering 58 days;
    • d) until 50% of pods ripen in 105 days.

The number of technically suitable leaves per plant is on average 33 pieces.

Leaf size in the middle tier of the plant:

    • average length 29 cm;
    • average width 16 cm.

Seedling color is light green. Plant growth in the first phases is fast. The shape of the plant is cylindrical. The shape of the inflorescence is thyroid medium. The position of the leaf on the stem is protruding, the leaf blade is arcuately curved. The shape of the base of the sheet is vulture-shaped wide. The shape of the blade of the middle leaf is elliptically elongated. The shape of the top is medium-pointed. The leaf surface is wavy. The edge of the sheet is folded. Leaf color is light green. The color of the corolla is pale pink. Plants are homogeneous, slightly stepchildren.
 

Simmering and drying: simmering speed 3 days; the drying time of the leaves is 14 days. Varietal cultivation technology: seeding rate in greenhouses per 1 m2 is 0.04 - 0.05 grams, planting pattern in the field: 60-70 cm x 18-25 cm.

Heirloom Tobacco Seeds Planting Instructions

Sow tobacco seeds indoors in flats, trays or small pots 6-8 weeks before transplanting. A plastic tray with 4 or 6 packs inserts works very well. Fill trays approximately 3 inches deep with a fine starting mix soil or potting soil. Pack soil very lightly. Potting soil should be screened to remove any large chunks. Thoroughly soak soil and let drain before seeding. Do not use garden soil.

Sprinkle 2-3 tobacco seeds in each pot on top of the moistened soil. Do NOT cover seed. Mist the seeds lightly with a spray bottle and cover the tray loosely with a plastic dome or sheet of clear light plastic film. Do not seal tightly. Leave a corner propped up to allow some air exchange. Place in a well lit area near a window or under grow lights where the temperature is a constant 70-80 degrees. Do not exceed 85 degrees. Mist the trays daily and keep the soils surface moist at all times. Seeds will germinate in 7-14 days. Tobacco seed germination is very temperature dependant. Lower temperatures will greatly delay germination.

When the tobacco seeds start sprouting, remove the plastic cover and move to a fully light area such as a greenhouse, cold frame or under grow lights. Keep soil moist at all times, but do not over water. Water when the surface of the soil first begins to appear dry. Over watering may cause seedlings to dampen off, and impedes root development. Thin or divide tobacco seedlings to 1 per pot.
 

Planting instructions for tobacco plants

Set seedlings outside in filtered sunlight for 2-4 hours per day for a week before planting to acclimate and harden off the tobacco seedlings. Plant seedlings in rows spaced 2 feet in all directions after all danger of frost has passed. Keep soil moist until plants are established. It is normal for plants to wilt after transplanting and appear not to grow at all during the first 2 weeks. All the growth is taking place under ground at this stage. Once established, tobacco requires little water. Fertilize lightly at planting and again in 4-6 weeks only if needed.

Cut off the flower heads when they appear. Topping forces the energy into the leaves making them larger and thicker. Cut off suckers (side branches) when topping. Leaves ripen 2-3 weeks after topping and are ready to harvest when they turn yellow, or become a mottled green and yellow with curled edges.
 

Harvesting and curing tobacco

Tobacco leaves may be picked as they ripen (primed) and strung on wire or string with ½ inch of space between them for curing. Whole plants can be cut and hung when 50% of the leaves show signs of ripening. Curing (aka color curing) happens when chlorophyll in the leaf breaks down and the leaf changes from green or yellow to brown. Hang leaves or plants in an area where you can maintain a daily average of 70-80% humidity to cure and dry. Basements or outdoor sheds often make great curing locations.  If dried to quickly, the leaf will not cure and will dry green. Tobacco that fails to cure and dries green is unsmokable.

After curing, continue to dry the tobacco leaf until it is completely dry and the main stem snaps like a twig. Once cured and dried, the leaf can be left to hang and age where it is, or brought back into case (re-humidified until the leaf is pliable) then packed into cardboard boxes for storage and to age. Aging allows time for nitrogen compounds in the leaf to break down, which removes the harshness of freshly cured tobacco and lets the true flavors come through.