Nicotiana tabacum 'Gold Leaf Orinoco'

The 'Gold Leaf Orinoco' Tobacco is an ancient variety of cultivated tobacco (in Latin Nicotiana tabacum) that is particularly vigorous, forming a magnificent plant exceeding the size of a man in the space of a year. Its large decorative leaves, of a light green colour, have a pronounced aroma that evokes brown Virginia tobaccos, and the leaves located in the upper part of the plant can contain up to 4% nicotine. The tobacco is sown in March or April, under heated shelter, for planting after the frost. This plant appreciates the sun, rich, fresh, but well-drained soils. The leaves will be harvested from June to September and dried away from the sun.

Originally from the plains located in the humid tropical zones of Central America, extensively cultivated in many warm regions, Nicotiana tabacum is a plant of the Solanaceae family cultivated as an annual for the tobacco industry. The 'Gold Leaf Orinoco' variety (Gold Leaf Orinoco) has been cultivated for generations in Peru and has given rise to all modern varieties of Virginia tobacco. It is a herbaceous plant with a pyramidal shape reaching 2m (7ft) in height when flowering, spreading over 70-80cm (28-32in) in width. It develops a robust, slightly sticky stem, which branches out mainly in the upper part. The leaves, embracing at the base and cordate in shape, can measure up to 60cm (24in) in length by 40cm (16in) in width. They are shiny, of a bright green colour and covered with glandular hairs that make them slightly sticky and fragrant. The flowering, not very decorative, begins in midsummer and continues until early autumn. The inflorescence is a racemose cyme bearing small tubular flowers, with trumpet-shaped and rounded 5-lobed corollas. The flowers are greenish-yellow tinged with pink. This nectariferous flowering attracts butterflies, especially certain sphinx moths. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous small seeds.

Usage: 'Gold Leaf Orinoco' tobacco produces magnificent and highly aromatic plants. Generally, dried tobacco leaves are used for smoking or as an insect repellent. Drying is a process that takes 3 to 8 weeks in the open air and in the shade. It is advisable to take advantage of the end of summer or the beginning of autumn with still warm and dry days and relatively humid cool nights for drying. First, select the leaves located at the base of the plant, which yellow first. They will be bound at the petioles in small bundles of 3 to 5 with a rubber band, each bundle will be hung on a cord. Choose a location that is both shaded (no direct sunlight) and well-ventilated, such as a shed, barn, or well-ventilated garage. Make sure the air is not too dry, possibly close your location during the day and open it at night. The leaves gradually change colour from yellow to orange to brown. Their edge is slightly curved, but they should not be brittle.

Attention, seeds reserved for very experienced gardeners who are used to sowing very fine seeds. These seeds are as fine as dust, barely visible to the naked eye.