Of all the old-fashioned flowers that welcome the summer season, poppies are the most brilliant—they glow like stained glass when the sun shines behind them in early morning or late afternoon. Although their silky petals look delicate nodding on their wispy stems, poppies are both easy to grow and surprisingly hardy.
Cultivated since ancient times for their beautiful blossoms, edible seeds or as medicine, poppies appear in mythology, poetry, and paintings, symbolizing everything from fertility and decadence to blood and memory. Recent breeding developments have further enlarged the range of their form and fantastic diversity of colors.
Sow seeds directly in the ground rather than in pots, since they form taproots and don’t react well to being moved. Scatter them thinly and press them lightly into the soil with the back of a rake but do not cover them, since they need some light to germinate well. Water with a gentle mist spray so that the tiny seeds don’t wash away.
Since slugs and snails can consume your entire stand of seedlings in a maddeningly short time, apply snail bait around the poppy patch after sowing. It’s very important to thin seedlings to a final spacing of 8-10” for tall poppies, 6-10”for CA poppies. Properly thinned seedlings will have room to form beautiful big plants with many more flowers, while crowded plants will stay spindly and not produce as many blooms.
To enjoy poppies as cut flowers, snip the stems just when the buds are about to burst open. For longer vase life, seal the stems by burning the cut stem ends with a lighter before immersing them in water. California poppies and are particularly well suited to cutting since they last longer in the vase than other annual poppies.
Since slugs and snails can consume your entire stand of seedlings in a maddeningly short time, apply snail bait around the poppy patch after sowing. It’s very important to thin seedlings to a final spacing of 8-10” for tall poppies, 6-10”for CA poppies. Properly thinned seedlings will have room to form beautiful big plants with many more flowers, while crowded plants will stay spindly and not produce as many blooms.
To enjoy poppies as cut flowers, snip the stems just when the buds are about to burst open. For longer vase life, seal the stems by burning the cut stem ends with a lighter before immersing them in water. California poppies and are particularly well suited to cutting since they last longer in the vase than other annual poppies.
Aadarsh (verified owner) –
So far so good!
Alan (verified owner) –
So far so good!
Zane (verified owner) –
So far so good!
Ryan (verified owner) –
Good quality.
John (verified owner) –
Good service.
Bryan (verified owner) –
The seeds had a great germination rate
William (verified owner) –
This is my 3rd purchase from this seller and they have not failed me yet. These trees are really nice and natural looking
Mateo (verified owner) –
I was happy about the quick delivery and that the seeds actually sprouted within 7 days
Robert (verified owner) –
This is my 3rd purchase from this seller and they have not failed me yet. These trees are really nice and natural looking
Ryker (verified owner) –
Awesome product and company