Harrow Velvet Tobacco
Price: $3.49
SKU: 1001541
Nicotiana tabacum L
[ Approximately 100 seeds per packet ]
Introduced in about 1935, 'Harrow Velvet' is a multipurpose, "Burley-type" tobacco that was historically used for plug tobacco, cigarette and pipe blending, as well as for blending material for cigar filler. It produces large (up to twenty-four inch) leaves that ripen to a nice, golden-yellow color and was developed to resist Black Root-rot and is in fact, one of the most resistant.[1]
In 1929, seven strains of White Burley tobacco types were obtained by the Dominion Experimental Station at Harrow, Ontario, Canada from Dr. Valleau of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. Dr. Valleau had created the crosses and was interested in learning how they performed in Canada. The strains were all grown in a healthy field and one infected with black root-rot. Eventually, one plant out of a stain designated as 'Valleau Selection No. 22' emerged as resistant. It was further refined over succeeding years, "... until the selection was considered worthy of the name 'Harrow Velvet'."[2]
Our stock originated from the USDA Nicotiana Collection as accession number PI 552650 and was sent to us by David Pendergrass from Tennessee.
Once tiny seedlings emerge, you can pick them out one by one and move them into individual cells. Very lightly fertilize and never allow the potting soil to dry out. Within 6 weeks it'll be ready to plant in the garden. Wait until all risk of frost is over before planting outdoors.
For additional information, please have a look at our more detailed guide with photos.
- "A History of the Research Station, Harrow, Ontario: 1909-1974," by Gordon M. Ward, Research Branch, Canada Department of Agriculture, 1978.
- "Varietal Studies of Flue-Cured, Burley and Dark Tobaccos," by N. A. Macrae and R. J. Haslam, Tobacco Division, Dominion Experimental Farms, Bulletin No. 178, 1935.
