NICOTIANA AFFINIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 285, 1 December 1934, Page 6 (Supplement)

NICOTIANA AFFINIS.

VALUABLE PLANTS FOR SUMMER BEDDING. This white-flowered tobacco plant, whoso flowers are so sweetly-scented in the evening, is worth more wide cultivation. Although of the same genus as the plant that produces the tobacco of commerce, the leaves of this plant have no commercial value. To raise from seed, use a compost of about equal proportions of loam, leaf-mould and sand, and having well crocked a box or pan, fill to within half an inch of the top. Press it for a time to drain, sow the seeds thinly, and cover them lightly with soil. The seeds will germinate in a temperature of "50 deg., but would bo better for olio of 00 deg., coming quicker and stronger. When large enough to handle, prick off the seedlings, about an inch apart, into other boxes, and give them plenty of light and air, with a genial warmth, to encourage them to take hold of the fresh soil. When they tuft with ono another, pot them up separately into the 2in size. As soon as the roots are well through the soil give another shift, say, into 3Ain pots, and later pot them on into the Sin or Oin size, in which they may be flowered, or if larger plants are wanted, they can again be moved, this time into 3in pots. For pot culture, a compost of three parts loam to ono each ot' leafmould, well-decayed manure, and sand, will do admirably. When the plants are well in growth, they may be fed with weak liquid manure, but this may be discontinued when the plants commence to flower. Do not forget to stake the flower stem as it grows. If the plants are intended for the outdoor garden, the treatment need not bo so elaborate. When pricking thein off, more space can bo given between them, and this will obviato the necessity for giving them another move so soon. Then, when the weather gets sufficiently mild, the box can be transferred to a cold frame, whero they will grow slowly, and be hardened off prior to planting out towards the end .of November. N. Sanderae is ono of the finest sorts, as it is of graceful branching habit. It blooms over a long period, the colours varying from white to flesh-pink, rose and crimson. N. affinis is the old sweet-scented tobacco, with pure white flowers; it is excellent for pot culture. N. Sylvestris has very handsome foliage, which produces a sub-tropical effect, and long tubular white flowers.