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Bolivian Criollo Black Tobacco is a sturdy, open-pollinated heirloom that delivers what serious tobacco growers seek: bold, dark leaves with a rich, earthy character reminiscent of Burley tobacco. This Nicotiana tabacum cultivar reaches 3 to 5 feet tall (sometimes stretching toward 8 feet under ideal conditions) and matures in just 70 days from transplant, making it feasible even in shorter growing seasons. Its sticky, generously-sized leaves and reliable yields from field, container, or greenhouse growing have made it a trusted choice among heritage seed savers and tobacco enthusiasts alike.
Full Sun
Moderate
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60in H x ?in W
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The dark, sticky leaves of Bolivian Criollo Black deliver the earthy, complex flavor profile that serious tobacco cultivators prize, with a character distinctly reminiscent of Burley tobacco. It's remarkably easy to grow from the outset, thriving in full sun with straightforward spacing and care. Deer leave it alone entirely, a genuine advantage for gardeners dealing with browse pressure, and it resists mosaic virus, protecting your harvest from one of tobacco's most common afflictions.
Bolivian Criollo Black Tobacco is grown primarily for tobacco leaf production, whether for personal cultivation, seed saving, or artisanal tobacco work. The large, sticky leaves are harvested at maturity and typically dried and cured for use.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Tobacco seeds are tiny and should be sown on the surface of moist, sterile seed-starting mix or pressed lightly into the surface without covering. Maintain soil temperature around 70 to 75°F for reliable germination. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Seedlings typically emerge within 7 to 14 days. Provide bright light once they sprout, ideally under grow lights positioned just above the seedling trays.
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures consistently remain above 50°F. Plant seedlings at the spacing specified (24 inches apart, 36 inches between rows), burying them to their first set of true leaves. Water thoroughly after transplanting and maintain even soil moisture for the first few weeks as plants establish.
Begin harvesting 70 days after transplanting when leaves have reached full size and feel thick and sticky to the touch. Tobacco leaves are typically harvested by hand, removing them from the bottom of the plant upward as they mature. Mature leaves will be dark in color and visibly larger than younger foliage. Harvest in the early morning after dew has dried for easier handling. The sticky texture of Bolivian Criollo Black leaves is a sign of peak maturity and oil content.
Allow the upright growth habit to develop naturally without pruning the main stem, as this variety is grown for leaf production rather than branching form. Remove any diseased or damaged leaves as they appear to maintain plant health and prevent pest or disease buildup.
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“This heirloom carries the imprint of Bolivian agricultural tradition, a cultivar preserved and refined within the region's tobacco-growing communities. As an open-pollinated variety, it represents the kind of seed stock that families and growers have maintained and replanted across generations, carrying forward the genetic heritage and flavor characteristics that made it worth keeping. Its journey to modern seed catalogs reflects the broader movement to preserve heirloom tobacco varieties and honor the agricultural practices of specific regions.”