Golden burley seed question

[graytobacco]

Hi Gray again. I stalk harvested two golden burley tobacco plants and when I was picking leaves off one of the plants I found two seed pods. Once I found the seed pods I put the seeds in a small ziploc baggie and put them in my drawer. So I have a question about seeds I found and their quality and genetic quality. I was topping my plants and cutting the flowers off before they formed but clearly I missed two of them. I’m pretty sure no one else is growing tobacco in suburban Virginia Beach Va. At least in a mile radius away from me so I don’t think the plant cross contaminated and I found no other seed pods on the other plant. So I’m wondering if because these seeds were hanging in the shed are they even viable? And if so could I give them to other members of the forum as golden burley seeds? I attached a photo of the plants growing. Thank you guys!

 

[deluxestogie]

They are likely still viable. I would suggest not offering unbagged seed to others.

Bob

 

[graytobacco]

Thank you! Will not give any unbagged tobacco seeds to anyone! This year I’m definitely bagging my plants for sure just wasn’t aware of that last year. Thank you so much!

 

[Old Gasman]

I'm not sure if you can get cross pollination from ornamental flower bed type tobacco plants, but I'm guessing someone will know.

 

[deluxestogie]

Fertilization of Nicotiana tabacum (female) is possible, but extremely rare with pollen from a different Nicotiana species (male). Given that N. tabacum usually self-fertilizes (~90%) prior to their blossoms' opening, the likelihood of such cross-species fertilization drops to near zero.

Bob