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Bafra Tobacco is a Turkish heirloom cultivar of Nicotiana tabacum prized for its exceptionally smooth flavor and gentle aroma. This elegant upright grower reaches 36 to 60 inches tall and matures in just 50 to 59 days from transplant, making it surprisingly quick to harvest. With its richly colored, tongue-shaped leaves and columnar habit, it brings ornamental appeal to gardens, containers, and raised beds while offering the deep satisfaction of growing a classic heirloom variety.
Full Sun
Moderate
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60in H x ?in W
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High
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Bafra carries the warm character of a centuries-old Turkish heirloom, delivering the smooth, gentle smoke that traditional tobacco growers sought. Its narrow columnar form and distinctly shaped foliage make it visually striking in any garden setting. The rapid 50 to 59 day maturation means you'll move from transplant to harvest quickly, and its natural resistance to deer pressure makes it a low-maintenance addition to home gardens and greenhouses.
Bafra is grown primarily for its leaves, which are harvested, cured, and used in traditional smoking preparations. Home growers cultivate it both for the craft of tobacco curing and aging, and as an ornamental specimen that rewards the eye while delivering the authentic experience of growing a historic variety.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. Sow on the surface or barely cover with soil, as tobacco seeds need light to germinate. Keep soil warm (around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) and consistently moist. Seedlings will emerge in 7 to 14 days and should be ready to transplant into larger containers once they develop their first true leaves.
Transplant outdoors after your last frost date, once soil has warmed and hardened-off seedlings show vigorous growth. Space plants 24 inches apart, with rows 36 inches apart. Tobacco is sensitive to cold, so wait until nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.
Harvest leaves when they have matured and changed color, typically 50 to 59 days after transplanting. Individual leaves can be harvested starting from the bottom as they reach full size and slightly yellow, or you can wait and harvest the entire plant at once. Look for leaves that feel slightly brittle and have lost their bright green sheen. Cut or carefully snap leaves from the stalk, working from the bottom upward. For best results, harvest in the morning after dew has dried.
Bafra's naturally upright, columnar growth habit requires minimal pruning. However, removing lower leaves as the plant matures can improve air circulation and reduce disease risk. Pinching off flower buds as they form will direct the plant's energy into leaf development rather than seed production, resulting in larger, higher-quality leaves at harvest.
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“Bafra hails from Turkey, where it developed as a prized heirloom variety celebrated for the quality of its leaf and the refinement of its smoke. The variety has been preserved and passed through generations of growers who valued its distinctive smooth character and gentle aroma, eventually making its way into the hands of heirloom seed companies and home gardeners seeking authentic tobacco cultivars with genuine historical depth.”