Ainaro, Tobacco Seed

Ainaro Tobacco Seed

Rare Timor-Leste selection features unusually petioled leaves
Large foliage recalls prewar Japanese cigar varieties
Stalk-cut or primed leaves accept traditional sun curing
Finished leaf develops a distinctively spicy character

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Nicotiana tabacum

Days to maturity

70 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

1,000 Seeds

About Ainaro, Tobacco Seed, Tobacco Seed

Ainaro is a variety of Dark sun-cured leaf. It was collected from the tobacco garden of a simple home outside the town of Ainaro, by Anton Eise DeVries, during his exploration of Timor Leste in 2016. The most distinctive characteristic of its large leaves is their petiole (bare leaf stem), suggestive of some pre WW2, Japanese cigar varieties. It can be stalk-cut, and sun-cured on the stalk, or primed. The finished leaf has a spicy character. It also cooks into a tasty Cavendish. Suitable for pipe blending.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

Top of Soil

Days to Germination

7–14 days

In-row plant spacing

18-24"

Row Spacing

3-4'

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

60 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

283,495

Color

Green

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

A successful Tobacco planting begins with a full-sun, warm site with fertile, well-drained soil and good air circulation. Incorporate compost and adjust nutrients and pH according to a soil test, avoiding excessive nitrogen. Wait until frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed; harden transplants and install supports before planting when the crop requires them.

Planting

Start tobacco indoors 8–10 weeks before the last spring frost. Press the tiny, light-requiring seed onto a moist sterile medium and maintain about 70–80°F until germination. Provide strong light and airflow after emergence, then thin or transplant seedlings into individual cells. Harden plants gradually and set outdoors after frost danger has passed and nights are reliably mild.

Watering

Tobacco benefits from even moisture during active growth. Water when the upper soil begins drying, applying enough to reach the roots while keeping foliage dry whenever possible.

Fertilizer

Tobacco generally needs moderate feeding while actively growing. Use a balanced fertilizer at label rates, reducing or stopping applications during dormancy, stress, or declining growth.

Harvesting

Tobacco is ready when it displays the mature color, texture, and size expected for the crop. Cut, lift, or pick carefully to protect the plant and remaining harvest.

Tips

Tobacco contains nicotine and is toxic if ingested. Wear gloves when handling wet foliage, keep plants away from children and pets, and wash thoroughly after pruning or harvesting leaves.

Pests & Diseases

Tobacco mosaic virus, blue mold, black shank, damping-off, and bacterial diseases affect tobacco. Use clean seed and trays, rotate nightshades, disinfect tools, and wash hands after handling tobacco products. Remove mosaic, distorted, or rapidly wilted plants; viruses cannot be cured and spread easily by contact.

Watch tobacco for aphids, flea beetles, hornworms, cutworms, and whiteflies. Remove egg masses and caterpillars, protect young stems, and encourage beneficial insects before using labeled controls.