Tobacco low on nicotine

[RKNL]

I am searching for a tobacco variety that is low on the bad things in tobacco like nicotine. I would use it to roll my own cigarettes. Can someone recommend a variety that I can grow from seed and that answers my wish?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[johnny108]

What type of cigarette do you prefer?
With Orientals: Bitlis, Xanthi, and Prilep, all untopped at flowering would be low nicotine.
For Virginia/bright leaf:
Brown & Williams Low Nic. would be a good choice.

 

[RKNL]

What type of cigarette do you prefer?
With Orientals: Bitlis, Xanthi, and Prilep, all untopped at flowering would be low nicotine.
For Virginia/bright leaf:
Brown & Williams Low Nic. would be a good choice.

Thanks Johnny, but now I think I will have to wait for next year to grow these tobacco varieties. Am bit late into the season now. When could I order seeds? When I order them now to the Netherlands could I still use them in spring 2026 or should I better wait, till new seeds from this year are available?

 

[deluxestogie]

When could I order seeds?

If you store dry tobacco seeds in very low humidity and in darkness, they should last at least 10 years.

Bob

 

[johnny108]

Thanks Johnny, but now I think I will have to wait for next year to grow these tobacco varieties. Am bit late into the season now. When could I order seeds? When I order them now to the Netherlands could I still use them in spring 2026 or should I better wait, till new seeds from this year are available?

The Xanthi, Prilep, and Bitlis can all be grown indoors in a windowsill. South facing is preferred, but you can always do what I do- put them in the “morning sun” window in the morning, and move them when you get home to the afternoon window…
These are Baffra Basma, Black Sea Samsun, Baffra Basma, and a Bursa (not recommended for window growing).
This is my first time growing them, and except for the Bursa, all do well in the window, and are low nicotine orientals.

 

[adamziegler]

low on the bad things in tobacco like nicotine

What about the nicotine are you looking to avoid? I ask because there is a common misconception that it is the nicotine that is carcinogenic.

 

[RKNL]

The Xanthi, Prilep, and Bitlis can all be grown indoors in a windowsill. South facing is preferred, but you can always do what I do- put them in the “morning sun” window in the morning, and move them when you get home to the afternoon window…
These are Baffra Basma, Black Sea Samsun, Baffra Basma, and a Bursa (not recommended for window growing).
This is my first time growing them, and except for the Bursa, all do well in the window, and are low nicotine orientals.
View attachment 56077

Inside ok, but wouldn't I still be limited to a shortened season if I start mid June? When summer ends September October can leaves still ripen and mature?

 

[RKNL]

What about the nicotine are you looking to avoid? I ask because there is a common misconception that it is the nicotine that is carcinogenic.

Yeah, that is what I mean, a tobacco low on most known bad (carcinogenic or otherwise) ingredients. From last year I have a small crop of "Nicotiana tabacum" sold by http://onszaden.nl But I guess that is just about the generic name of all the tabacco. They said between 2 and 8 percent nicotine.

 

[johnny108]

Inside ok, but wouldn't I still be limited to a shortened season if I start mid June? When summer ends September October can leaves still ripen and mature?

If the indoor temperature is above 10-14C, the plants will mature just fine.
Growth may be a bit slower due to the shorter days, but it does work.