NICOTIANA PERFUME RED

At last the breeders have heard the cry - give us back the perfume! Here it is but with the most beautiful flowers in the nearest to red yet! 2-3'.

Nicotiana grows best in full sun but will tolerate light shade, it is easy to start from seed and flowers in about 10 weeks. Nicotiana needs to sown thinly, and the seeds are tiny, so it helps to mix a teaspoon of fine dry sand with the seed before sowing it. This will help to prevent overcrowding of the seedlings after germination.

Sow Nicotiana seed indoors from Febraury to May in growing cells or pots that have been filled to within 6mm of the top with moistened seed compost. Sprinkle the seeds as thinly as possible and press gently into the surface. Do not cover the seeds, as nicotiana needs light to germinate. Keep the compost moist but not wet, watering from the base of the pots, never on top of the seeds.

Germination should occur within 21 days at 18 to 22°C (65 to 68°F) Once the seedlings have developed a couple of sets of leaves, thin out by pinching or cutting excess seedlings at the soil line, leaving the strongest seedlings to grow on.

Harden off for several weeks before plant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.