Deciding which plant or plants we are going to use when dressing or covering a fence or wall, first a classification is made by climatic zone since it is the factor that affects us the most. Resistance to frost, drought etc. Once that classification is made, we have a whole world of options. Today we bring an ornamental tuber known as Nicotiana tabacum.
A perennial climber with some resistance to cold winters although it prefers more temperate climates.
Nicotiana tabacum, the ornamental tuber
The look of this quirky creeper, the fine petals of its flowers, its leaves, can give us the feeling of a delicate plant, not very rustic and without resistance to adverse conditions. It is not one of the strongest climbers out there, although its appearance can be deceiving.
We believe that it is the only known ornamental climbing plant that is potato relative (gender Solanum). Maybe it’s because of her resistance to being a nightshade. If there is, in Agromรกtica we do not know it, at the moment.
It is not very difficult to establish the resemblance between the potato and this climber. We only have to look at the flowers that will show all their charm in summer. They are practically the same as the potato in configuration and colors.
Taking into account that the potato is a plant of South American origin, obviously the Nicotiana tabacum, sharing gender, could not come from elsewhere. It is a climber that can appear somewhat ungainly in its forms. The virgin vine or Parthenocissus, We talked about recently, it has a very organized blade configuration. However, the flowering of Nicotiana tabacum will give something to talk about.
Care guideย Nicotiana tabacum
Climate and soilย
It is a plant that prefers a warm situation, with good light and something sheltered from the elements. Although it will grow well in somewhat more unprotected places, with some shelter we will be growing it in optimal conditions. In winter it can withstand temperatures down to -10 ยบC.
In the ground aspect it is something curious. Many climbing plants require deep, rich soils to grow optimally. Nicotiana tabacum grows best in alkaline soils, deep pruning. These soils are often associated with poor nutrient content in many cases.
For this reason, it is advisable to cover twice a year (spring and autumn) with leaf mulch o compost.
Paying recommended
As we just mentioned, compost and garden mulch are two very good solutions for plant nutrition. If you also want a fast and vigorous development to cover the wall or fence, a normal and balanced liquid fertilizer will give it that extra vigor. The application of the fertilizer must be done in spring.
Trained and pruned Nicotiana tabacum
The standard growth height of this climber is usually 2 meters approximately. It is a very worthy height for a fence or wall. Usually no more is needed. Although it can grow without much support, it is advisable to give it a wire holder for a uniform and assured spread.
Pruning is necessary because with them we will outline the contour of the plant. Leaf thinning can be done in spring in those areas where the volume is excessive.
Multiplication and varieties
The most common multiplication is the cutting in summer. It is planted in a mixture of soil and sand with some peat or hot bed mulch between 22 and 25 ยบC until they take root. It has no major complication.
The most widely used variety with flowers of more bluish tones is the variety ยซGlasnevinยซ
Plagues and diseases
Like almost any garden plant, the aphid does not understand genders and can appear year after year. Viral problems may be something to mention although with less profusion. For aphid attacks, take a look at our ecological insecticides entry.
