Germinating Tobacco Seeds

Germinating Tobacco seeds

Dear Readers,

I had a question on one of the gardening groups I belong to, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Fish_Fowl_and_Flowers_For_Free/
and thought I would post the answer here too . . .


Tobacco seeds need to be kept evenly moist, and between 70 – 80 degrees to germinate. The seedlings also need to be warm until they are at least 3 inches tall. Then you can slowly harden them off to adapt to the outside weather. It takes quite a while for them to get 3 inches tall - they are pretty slow growing. But worth it. I have a plant that has been in the ground about 3 years now, it is about 6 feet tall. And it was in bloom its entire second year - straight through winter and a dusting of snow. It is looking a little worse for wear at the moment - but as soon as the weather warms up I think it will take off. Folks tend to think it is a four o'clock - on steroids. But the flowers stay open all day . . .

Setting up some kind of bottom heat is good idea, for germinating the seedlings and tending the young plants. But if you don't have bottom heat - be creative, if the top of your fridge or water heater is warm, that might work - a warm window during the day might be good, perhaps if you have pilot lights in your stove or oven you might be able to find a warm nighttime spot. Investing in a soil thermometer and a terrarium thermometer really helps in fine tuning the placement and setting for plants that need warm soil.

I use a food warming tray I found at the second hand store, at night and full spectrum lights during the day. I have a friend who has rigged a shelf over a lamp. I know people who use heating pads, and have hear of folks rigging up old fashioned Christmas lights to provide bottom heat.

You just have to experiment. And I really recommend the thermometers, especially if at first you don't succeed.

Good Luck!