Overview
Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray is a flowering plant that belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is mainly found in North America, particularly in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The plant is widely cultivated for ornamental purposes, and its leaves are also used for medicinal purposes.
Common Names
The plant is commonly known as Wallace's desert tobacco, Bigelow's desert tobacco, or Western tobacco. In Mexico, it is referred to as pitiquito, which translates to "little cedar" in English.
Appearance
Wallace's desert tobacco is an annual plant that typically grows up to 0.5 meters in height. The leaves are large and ovate-shaped, with a wavy margin and a dull green color. The flowers are funnel-shaped and can be either white, cream, or pale pink in color. They are arranged in clusters at the ends of the branches and bloom from mid-summer to fall.
Uses
The leaves of Wallace's desert tobacco have long been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including respiratory problems, headaches, and toothaches. The plant also contains compounds that have potential antifungal and antibacterial properties. The flowers and leaves of Wallace's desert tobacco are also used as a mild hallucinogen and are sometimes smoked or brewed into a tea for this purpose. In modern times, the plant is mainly used as an ornamental in home gardens and as an attractant for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Light Requirements
Nicotiana bigelovii var. wallacei requires plenty of sunlight to grow well. It prefers full sun exposure for at least 6 hours a day. It can tolerate some shade, especially during the hottest parts of the day, but too much shade can result in stunted growth and poor flowering.
Temperature Requirements
This plant is native to the arid desert regions of the southwestern United States and therefore can tolerate hot temperatures up to 100°F (38°C). It grows well in warm to hot temperature ranges, but it can also tolerate cooler temperatures as long as they do not dip below 50°F (10°C) at night. Temperatures below this range can cause the plant to suffer from frost damage or stunted growth.
Soil Requirements
Nicotiana bigelovii var. wallacei prefers well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter and have a slightly alkaline pH level of 6.5 to 7.5. It can tolerate a wide variety of soil types, including sandy and clay soils, but it grows best in soils that have good drainage. Adding compost or other organic materials to the soil will improve its fertility and ensure that the plant receives the necessary nutrients to grow strong and healthy.
Cultivation Methods
Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray is native to the arid regions of the southwestern United States. Therefore, it thrives in well-draining soil in full sun exposure. The ideal pH for the soil is between 6.5 to 7.5. The plant needs to be sowed indoors during early spring to avoid frost; otherwise, you can sow them directly into the garden during late spring after passing frost seasons. Young plants should be spaced approximately 18-24 inches apart.
Watering Needs
Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray requires moderate watering. It thrives best on evenly moist soil, but excess waterlogging should be avoided. The frequency of watering will depend on the climate and soil type. However, a general rule of the thumb is to use a moisture meter to check whether the soil is damp or dry. Watering should be done deeply once a week, providing about 1-2 inches of water each time.
Fertilization
Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray is a light feeder and only needs minimal fertilization. However, the soil should be adequately nourished before planting. A balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or 16-16-16, should be applied before planting the seeds or young plants. Further fertilization should be done once a month with half-strength fertilizers during the growing season.
Pruning
Pruning is essential in maintaining the desired shape and size for Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray. The plant is not pruned while young. After getting established in the ground, it is essential to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased leaves by snipping them off at the base of the stem. The flowerheads should be removed after their blooming period to promote new blooms. Additionally, Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray often gets leggy (long stems). Pinch the top ½ inch of new growth to encourage busher growth.
Propagation of Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray
Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray, commonly known as Wallace's desert tobacco, is a native plant of the Southwestern United States. It is a perennial plant that belongs to the Solanaceae family. Propagation of this plant is mostly done through seeds, stem cuttings, and division of roots.
Propagation by Seeds
Propagation of Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray through seeds is the easiest and most common method. The seeds should be collected from the plant during the fall season when the capsules are ripe. The capsules should be collected before they split to avoid seed loss. After collecting, the capsules should be dried, and the seeds should be removed.
The seeds of Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray are small and need light for germination. The seeds can be sown directly in containers or trays filled with a well-drained soil mix. The seeds should be scattered on the soil surface and not covered with soil. The container or tray should be placed in a warm and bright place, and the soil should be kept moist. Germination can take up to 2 weeks.
Propagation by Stem Cuttings
Propagation of Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray through stem cuttings is another method of propagation. Cuttings should be taken from the plant during the summer season. Cuttings should be from the basal stem, with at least 2 nodes, and should be 2-3 inches long. The bottom leaves should be removed, and the cuttings should be dipped in rooting hormone before being planted in a well-drained soil mix.
The cuttings should be watered before planting and should be placed in a bright and warm place. The soil should be kept moist, and the cuttings should be protected from direct sunlight until they become rooted. Rooting of cuttings takes around 4-6 weeks, and after rooting, they can be transplanted to individual containers.
Propagation by Division of Roots
Propagation of Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray can also be done through division of roots. This method is mostly done during the fall season. The plant should be dug out of the ground carefully, and the root clump should be separated into smaller sections, each with at least 2-3 stems.
The separated sections should be planted into prepared soil in individual containers or into the garden. The soil should be kept moist, and the plants should be protected from direct sunlight until they establish themselves.
Pest and Disease Management for Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray
Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray is a species of tobacco plant that is native to North America. Like any other plant species, it is susceptible to pests and diseases. Effective pest and disease management is crucial to ensure optimum growth and productivity of the plant. Here are some common pests and diseases that may affect Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray and how to manage them:
Pests
Aphids are small insects that suck sap from the leaves and stem of the plant, causing distortion and stunted growth. They can be controlled by releasing natural predators such as ladybugs or lacewings or by spraying the plant with soapy water or insecticidal soap.
Cutworms are the larvae of moths that can cause damage to the stem of the plant by chewing them off at the soil line. To prevent cutworms, wrap the stem of the plant with a collar made of tin foil or cardboard.
Spider mites are tiny, destructive pests that can suck the sap out of the leaves, causing them to yellow and become brittle. You can control spider mites by introducing natural predators like ladybugs, by spraying the plant with insecticidal soap or by washing the infected leaves with water.
Diseases
Fungal diseases like damping-off, root rot, and powdery mildew can infect Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray. These diseases could arise from planting in soil with poor drainage, overwatering and excessive humidity. To control these diseases, improve the soil drainage, plant the seeds or seedlings when the germination conditions are optimal, and avoid overwatering the plant. If the disease persists, the use of a fungicide can be employed.
Bacterial wilt is a severe disease that affects the stem of the plant and its vascular system. The bacteria that cause this disease can survive in the soil for years. To prevent bacterial wilt, use disease-free seeds or seedlings, practice crop rotation, and avoid over or underwatering the plant. If the plant is infected, it should be removed from the site to avoid spreading the disease.
Regular monitoring of the plant for pests and diseases, an adequate watering schedule, and maintaining a good soil pH can help prevent most diseases and pests from affecting Nicotiana bigelovii (Torr.) S. Wats. var. wallacei Gray.
