Poppy Seeds Miscellaneous

Eschscholzia californica, Papaver  somniferum, Papaver nudicaule, Papaver orientale, Papaver paeoniflorum, P. laciniatum

We love the many types of Poppies that are available. Their ruffled and shimmering petals moving with the wind, Remember that birds love to eat the poppy seeds, so please place a net on top the seeds in the soil until they are sprouted. Or start them indoors under lights or in a sun lit area. Poppies have a very sensitive root system and really do not transplant well. So if you want to start them indoors, use a planting medium like a Jiffy plug and then when it is time to transplant you can just place the whole plug in your garden soil.  If you sow directly cast the seeds on top of  loose, moist soil and then press lightly into the soil and making sure that the they are not covered any more than the thickness of the seed. Meaning just barely cover and then remember to put a net on top so the birds do not eat. Do not start papaver types in warm to hot weather, as your germination will be poor and plants may not even grow at all. Start in late fall or early spring. Keep the soil moist for the first couple of weeks until you see sprouts, then you can reduce your watering thoroughly to every couple of days. Doing this is forcing the root system or root tap to search for water and that will develop a strong root system, and it will reduce the chances of developing root rot or mold which poppies are susceptible to.