Rustica Info wanted

[Jitterbugdude]

I'm looking for info on what Rustica varieties are indigenous to the Mid Atlantic States. Everything I read about Rusticas always talks about the South West, South America , the North West etc but no mention of the Mid Atlantic or North East. The English colonists that settled Jamestown told of the wild tobacco the Indians grew and smoked. Since I live in the Mid Atlantic region I thought I'd like to try growing some that is natural to the area with the hope that it could be planted as a perennial. Any ideas?

Rustica Randy

 

[SmokesAhoy]

Maybe find out what the Indians near you called themselves then search on that, ie Navajo tobacco.

I tried to see if Aztec tobacco would volunteer here and it did not, by the by. Everyone says that is a cold Hardy type.

 

[deluxestogie]

This thread: http://fairtradetobacco.com/showthread.php?181-Tobacco-Varieties-Before-Columbus has some info. What is not shown is varietal names of N. rustica. Many of the tribes in the western Great Plains, as well as those of the south-west and north-west grew species of Nicotiana other than rustica.

The Sacred Cornplanter that I'm growing this year is from the Finger Lakes Region of upstate NY. (Oneidas, Onondagas, etc.) From what I can tell so far, it's pretty potent stuff. It's a nice size plant (at least, when all the suckers are removed), with tennis racket sized leaves. The petiolate leaves are quite thick and firm, and are subject to multiple 1/2" holes from a wide array of bugs. The hornworms have pretty much left it alone--must smell bad to them. The blossoms smell pleasant, like carnations. I should know by late fall how it comes out after kilning.

Bob

 

[SmokesAhoy]

You are bagging it too right deluxe? I would love to grow some in my neck of the woods if it came from so close to me.
if I have any seeds you need ill send them with a sase.