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Mopan Mayan Tobacco is a heritage Nicotiana rustica variety with deep cultural roots in Guatemala, where the Mopan Maya have cultivated it for generations. This compact, sturdy bush grows 24-48 inches tall and reaches harvest maturity in just 50-55 days from transplant, making it surprisingly quick for a tobacco crop. Open-pollinated and non-GMO, it thrives in full sun across a range of growing environments, from garden beds and raised plots to containers and greenhouses, and its natural deer resistance means you won't need to fret about wildlife pressure.
Full Sun
Moderate
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48in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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This is authentic heirloom tobacco with genuine cultural lineage, not a modern hybrid. The Mopan Mayan variety is prized specifically for its potent character and the living connection it represents to traditional Mayan agriculture. Its compact growth habit makes it manageable in most garden spaces, yet it delivers the authentic experience gardeners seek when they choose heritage tobacco.
Tobacco is cultivated for leaf production, which can be dried and cured for various uses. The potent character of Mopan Mayan makes it valued by those interested in authentic heritage tobacco cultivation.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Tobacco seeds are tiny and benefit from being surface-sown or barely pressed into seed-starting mix under bright light; keep soil consistently moist until germination occurs. Maintain warm conditions (70-75°F) to encourage sprouting.
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors. Move them into the garden after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space transplants 18 inches apart with 30 inches between rows, in full sun locations.
Harvest begins around 50-55 days after transplanting when leaves have reached full size and develop a characteristic texture. Tobacco leaves are traditionally harvested by hand, removing them from the bottom of the plant first as they mature, then working upward over several weeks. Leaves are ready when they feel slightly leathery and have lost their bright green sheen.
As a compact bush variety reaching 24-48 inches, Mopan Mayan typically requires minimal pruning. Remove any damaged or diseased foliage as it appears to maintain plant health and air circulation.
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“Mopan Mayan Tobacco comes directly from the hands of the Mopan Maya people of Guatemala, where it has been traditionally cultivated as part of their agricultural heritage. This variety represents centuries of seed selection and cultural practice, preserved and passed down through generations within Mayan communities. By growing Mopan Mayan today, gardeners participate in the continuation of this living tradition and help ensure that indigenous crop varieties remain viable and culturally significant.”