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Don’t you think poppies are a beautiful addition to your garden? Yes, you heard it right! You can grow them in the spring, and they can bloom for an entire year. However, they can bring elegance to your indoor garden with their unique flowering plants by having over 70 species around the world.
Poppy plants are very popular in the European region, even in the UK. There are various types of poppy plants you can add to your garden. It includes the ‘Iceland poppy’, ‘Californian poppy’, ‘Oriental poppy’, ‘Common poppy, ‘Yellow-horned poppy, ‘Mexican prickly poppy’, ‘Blue poppy’ and others. Poppies require proper care to grow.
In this blog, you will learn about how and when to sow poppy seeds in your garden. Before doing so, you must learn a few things about the plant.
Scientific name: ‘Papaver Rhoeas’.
Plant type: Annual.
Family: ‘Papaveraceae’.
Soil type: Well-drained with a neutral, acidic level.
Timings: Spring.
Flowers: Yellow, red, blue, orange, pink, white, and purple.
How to Grow Poppies from Seed?
1. Complete Care to Grow a Poppy Seed
The basic thing you need to consider before planting poppies is when to sow poppy seeds. Spring is the perfect time to plant them in your garden. Poppies are long-lasting and charming flowering plants. It can establish a delightful view in your garden. In order to grow them from the seeds, you must plant them at the right time. It can grow a significant amount of height in the summer. After that, it will bloom in your garden for an entire year. There are various poppy plants in the UK. If you want to plant a common poppy, then it requires low maintenance. However, if you want to add an oriental poppy plant, then make sure it is not getting a high level of sunlight. An extreme level of sunlight can disrupt their growth.
Every variety of poppy plant consumes an adequate amount of water. Thus, keep watering the seed on a daily basis. It may help you grow the poppy plant from the seed. Also, ensure that the soil is well-drained and has a neutral acid level. Keep fertilising them, and don’t stop the process of pruning.
2. Enough Sunlight to Grow Poppies
As mentioned, there are many types of poppy plants you can grow in your garden. But all require a proper level of sunlight to grow. Meanwhile, if you add a common poppy plant to your garden, then provide it with proper sunlight. Common poppy seeds can absorb bright and full sunlight to grow their flowers. Make sure you place the pot of poppy seeds in the right place where it can get an appropriate level of the sun’s rays. The sunlight can help the poppy seeds in the process of photosynthesis.
In the case of an oriental poppy seed, do the opposite. Too much sunlight can damage the foliage of these types of poppy plants. It can also affect the flowering plant’s photosynthesis process. As a result, they may not produce healthy flowers effectively. Overheating is bad for the oriental poppy seed. Thus, choose your poppy seed carefully and follow the instructions. A paramount level of sunlight can help a common poppy plant to grow but can disrupt the growth of an oriental poppy plant. Make sure you sow poppy seeds in your pot during the season of spring.
3. Proper Watering Process
Proper watering is essential for any kind of flowering plant to bloom. After planting the seeds, provide them with an adequate level of water. When you notice that the flowers are starting to bloom, give them a little bit more water. Poppy plants prefer well-drained soil. Thus, give them water if the soil is too dry. Proper watering doesn’t mean an extreme level of watering. So, one thing you must keep in mind is to avoid overwatering. The poppy plants prefer dry conditions to grow. Just furnish them with a half glass of water daily. If there is rain, then restrict the watering process to weekly.
Overwatering can damage the roots of the plant. In addition, the seeds can lose their momentum. As a result, the plant may not be able to produce beautiful flowers. It is applicable to any kind of poppy seeds. The amount of water that is required to grow a poppy plant in your garden is quite less. Adding extreme levels of water can damage the soil and reduce the level of dryness. In the monsoon, you may not be required to give them water. It doesn’t take much effort to sow a poppy seed in your indoor garden.
4. Soil Care for Poppies Growth
Before you plant the poppy seed, you must focus on choosing the right soil. A poppy plant grows in well-drained soil with a neutral acid level. They generally require dry soil to gain significant height. A common poppy plant can grow up to 28 inches tallfrom the soil. Meanwhile, an oriental poppy plant can grow up to 2 feet wide and 3 feet tall from the soil. Various poppy plants have various heights. Don’t overwater your plants. It may not only damage the dryness of the soil but also reduce the plant’s growth. In the rainy season, don’t water the soil; keep it as dry as possible.
If you want to plant an oriental poppy, make sure the soil pH level is around 6.5 to 7. They are not comfortable with soil that has excessive amounts of clay. Just keep it misty as much as possible. In the case of common poppy plants, keep the soil pH level neutral. They grow in rich, well-drained soil. A common poppy plant doesn’t require too much maintenance. It can grow in the soil with a low nutrient level. Thus, it’s easier to grow a common poppy plant than an oriental poppy plant.
5. Fertilisation Process
The fertilisation process ensures the adequate growth of a poppy plant. Make sure you are providing proper fertiliser to your seed in the soil. It may not only develop the seeds but also improve the soil. Use a fertiliser that helps you maintain dryness in the soil. The poppy plants grow in dry, well-drained soil. The soil must contain a low level of nitrogen. Apply a slow-release fertiliser to your plant and its roots in the spring. In addition, just ensure that your poppy seed is receiving appropriate sunlight, water, and air. A good amount of fertilisation can increase the height of your poppy plant.
One thing you must keep in mind is not to fertilise the poppy plant frequently, as they don’t require it. Over-fertilisation can disrupt the plant’s development. Additionally, it can disrupt the growth of the plant and its roots, canes, and flowers. It doesn’t take much effort to sow a poppy seed in your garden. Apply the fertiliser to maintain the soil’s pH and acid levels. A fertiliser with a good amount of phosphorus is beneficial for the common poppy plant. It can help you maintain the nitrogen level in the soil. Apart from that, it also ensures the growth of the poppy plant’s flowers.
6. Propagating and Trimming
Propagating is not necessary, but you can give it a try. You can use this method to sow poppy seeds in your garden in the spring. Cut the seeds into two or three, then add them to your pot. If you want, you can scatter them on the earth. Dig the soil carefully with a pitchfork or a shovel. After that, plant the seeds deeply in the soil and provide them with water and fertiliser. Just make sure that the soil is rich, dry, and well-drained with a neutral acid level. This process is beneficial for the poppy plants. Propagating the seeds can consume a lot of time, but it’s worth it for your garden. It can increase their growth. In addition, it can spread all over your garden and may establish an enchanting view.
Trimming is also an exceptional step, but it is useful for your poppy plants. Trim or cut off the leaves once or twice every month. It may ensure the adequate growth of plants in your garden. Trimming the leaves can also protect your plants from harmful pesticides. You can collaborate on both the propagating and trimming processes to sow the poppy seeds in the garden.
Sow a Poppy Seed in Your Garden
In conclusion, there are different types of poppy seeds that you can add to your garden. It may bloom fascinating flowers that can establish an appealing view. It doesn’t take much effort to sow a poppy seed in your home. Just make sure you plant them in the early spring. Many people make mistakes by putting them in the soil in summer. A poppy plant can provide a delightful view in your garden for an entire year. Just make sure you are providing them with appropriate care. It may include watering, fertilising, soil care, pruning, and other things.
Poppy seed needs dry soil to grow efficiently. Don’t add extreme levels of water that can damage their growth. Hopefully, this blog will assist you in learning about how and when to sow poppy seeds in your garden.
Follow the above steps and let us know in the comments what type of poppy seeds you’re going to plant.
