Shag Santo Domingo Seeds

Shag Santo Domingo is a tobacco variety offered here as seed for growing the plant. The product record lists the species as Nicotiana rustica, and the card describes a tall, warm-season plant that reaches about 1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 feet), with broad, slightly crinkled leaves and delicate pink flowers. It does best in warm, sunny conditions and well-drained soil. The notes below follow the variety description on the card.

Also known as: Aztec tobacco, mapacho, wild tobacco

These are common names of the species Nicotiana rustica. Shag Santo Domingo is the name of this particular variety, as it appears in the store listing.

Plant at a glance

• Species: Nicotiana rustica, as recorded on the product page
• Variety name: Shag Santo Domingo
• Height: about 1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 feet), according to the card
• Leaves: broad, slightly crinkled and fairly thin
• Flowers: delicate and pink
• Site: full sun, warm conditions, well-drained and fertile soil

Growing Shag Santo Domingo from seed

Nicotiana seed is very fine, almost dust-like, and needs light to germinate, so it is pressed onto the surface and never buried. The figures below come from the variety description and are approximate guides, not results measured on a specific seed lot.

• Sowing: press the seeds lightly onto the surface of moist soil and leave them uncovered, because light is needed for germination.
• Timing: start the seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost.
• Temperature: the card suggests keeping the soil around 24 C (75 F) and evenly moist while the seeds germinate.
• Germination: the card gives 7 to 14 days.
• Transplanting: move seedlings outdoors only after the last frost, spacing plants 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 feet) apart.
• Site and soil: full sun and well-drained, fertile soil, with regular watering and occasional feeding during the season.

Because the seedlings are tiny at first, a fine mist or bottom watering helps keep the surface seed in place. Give the young plants bright light once they emerge, and harden them off gradually before they go outdoors.

About the plant

The card describes a plant that thrives in warm climates, so cool or short seasons are the main limit. Starting indoors gives the seedlings a head start, and the wide spacing leaves room for the broad leaves and for air to move between plants. Plants that reach 1.5 to 1.8 m may need a sheltered spot in windy gardens. Photographs on this page show the plant and its foliage; they are archive images, and a visual check of the variety is still pending.

Quick sowing notes

• Use a fine, sterile seed-starting mix and a shallow tray.
• Moisten the mix first, then scatter the seed over the top.
• Keep the tray warm and bright, and do not let the surface dry out.
• Thin crowded seedlings once the first true leaves appear.

FAQ

What conditions does the seed need to germinate?

Light and steady warmth. Press the seed onto the surface of moist soil without covering it, and keep it around 24 C (75 F). The card gives 7 to 14 days for germination.

When should I sow Shag Santo Domingo?

Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost, then transplant outdoors after the last frost has passed.

How tall does it grow?

The card lists a height of about 1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 feet), with plants spaced 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 feet) apart in full sun.