I think that I may have some that has resprouted from its roots - i.e.
has overwintered herbaceously. Is this plausible, or is it some weed
that just looks like Nicotiana affinis? I know that the latter is a
perennial in its native land, but not how it grows there.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

In article ,
Dave Poole writes:
| Nick Maclaren) wrote:
|
| I think that I may have some that has resprouted from its roots - i.e.
| has overwintered herbaceously. Is this plausible, or is it some weed
| that just looks like Nicotiana affinis? I know that the latter is a
| perennial in its native land, but not how it grows there.
|
| Most likely it is N. affinis Nick. It can easily re sprout from
| ground level after a mild winter especially the green, pale pink or
| white forms. Nicotianas are more or less perennial here at least for
| 3 or 4 years. I've had the lime green form survive many times, but it
| is not so good a perennial as N. langsdorfii, which I prefer in any
| case. However, the strongest growers are usually 1st year seedlings
| so there's no great advantage in retaining them. I say 'usually'
| advisedly because some years ago, a 3rd year sylvestris grew into an
| enormous plant well over 8 feet high with 40" leaves and carrying many
| hundreds of flowers constantly for several months. I saved the seed
| half hoping I might have stumbled upon a mammoth strain, but nothing
| spectacular came of them or from their progeny.

Thanks. I have put two 'new' seedlings next to them, so will race
them and see :-)


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

On Sun, 15 May 2005 22:17:00 +0100, Dave Poole
wrote:

Nick Maclaren) wrote:

I think that I may have some that has resprouted from its roots - i.e.
has overwintered herbaceously. Is this plausible, or is it some weed
that just looks like Nicotiana affinis? I know that the latter is a
perennial in its native land, but not how it grows there.

Most likely it is N. affinis Nick. It can easily re sprout from
ground level after a mild winter especially the green, pale pink or
white forms. Nicotianas are more or less perennial here at least for
3 or 4 years. I've had the lime green form survive many times, but it
is not so good a perennial as N. langsdorfii, which I prefer in any
case. However, the strongest growers are usually 1st year seedlings
so there's no great advantage in retaining them. I say 'usually'
advisedly because some years ago, a 3rd year sylvestris grew into an
enormous plant well over 8 feet high with 40" leaves and carrying many
hundreds of flowers constantly for several months. I saved the seed
half hoping I might have stumbled upon a mammoth strain, but nothing
spectacular came of them or from their progeny.

Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November

If you wants an ever bigger variety, go straight for the big daddy of
Nicotiana, N. Tabacum. A striking plant, man-high, with big
banana-like leaves like a soft-leaved canna, and rosy, pinkish-purple
tubular flowers at the top. It is the kind of plant you might grow
with dahlias and cannas for a late season semi-tropical display, as a
green foil for more colourful plants. Seemingly the leaves can be put
to good use too, after drying and curing.

Seemingly the leaves can be put
to good use too, after drying and curing.




I would hardly call it a 'good use'. I don't use insecticides on my
plants; I certainly wouldn't use one on myself.
Spider

On Tue, 17 May 2005 11:57:19 +0100, "Spider"
wrote:


Seemingly the leaves can be put
to good use too, after drying and curing.




I would hardly call it a 'good use'. I don't use insecticides on my
plants; I certainly wouldn't use one on myself.
Spider

Nevertheless, a plant not without a certain economic significance.