How to sow poppy seeds

Poppy seed sowing time

The best time to sow poppies is from March to June and from August to October each year. The poppy seeds sown during these two periods have the highest germination rate and grow the best.

Poppies can be sown in spring and autumn. They can be sown in March and will germinate in about a week and bloom in about two months. If they are sown in autumn, they will not bloom until the spring of the following year.

Poppy seeds sow in summer

Poppy seeds cannot be sown in summer. Under normal circumstances, poppy seeds should be sown in spring and autumn each year.

How to sow poppy seeds

Poppy is generally sown in September, but can also be sown in spring. The sowing distance between seedlings will vary depending on the sowing time. The autumn sowing distance is 20-30 cm, and the spring sowing distance is 15-25 cm. The suitable germination temperature is 15-20 degrees, and the seedlings will emerge about a week after sowing.

Management of sowing poppy seeds

1. Seed treatment

The seeds of poppy are very small. It is best to soak the seeds in warm water for one to two days before sowing. This will remove impurities on the surface. At the same time, the seeds will swell and the skin will soften, making them easier to germinate. You can mix some fine sand with the poppy seeds, which will make it easier to take when sowing and the sowing will be more even.

2. Germination after sowing

There is no strict time limit for how many days it takes for poppy seeds to germinate, because poppy seeds need many conditions to germinate. When these conditions are met, poppy seeds can germinate successfully. The most important conditions for seed germination are soil, temperature, and humidity. It usually takes 1-2 weeks, or 7-14 days, to germinate successfully.

3. Seed germination

(1) Remove weeds around the seedlings in time. At this time, the poppy seeds have just germinated, the leaves are relatively thin, pine needle-shaped, and the growth is weak. If there are weeds around them, it will hinder the growth of the seedlings.

(2) Selecting seedlings: After the seedlings have grown out, observe their growth. If the seedlings are too close to each other, remove the weaker seedlings to leave some growth space for the better-growing seedlings to facilitate their subsequent growth.

(3) Pay attention to the fertilization and protection of seedlings. If you want the seedlings to grow well, fertilization must be considered. Fertilizer can be applied when the seedlings grow to two to three inches high. Different fertilizers should be applied at different stages.

(4) Growth environment: Pay attention to the growth environment of poppy. The seedlings are suitable for growing in an environment with moderate soil moisture. In the later stage of seedling growth, in order to prevent the influence of weather on its growth, a fence can be built around the seedlings.