Poppy seedlings

For Mingsmimi and anyone else starting poppies for the first time. These are what the papaver somniferum seedlings look like. They are just starting to sprout here.

thanks so much for this posting! :)

OH man am I ever glad you posted this pic. Remember last week you told me to get a pack of seeds and toss them around - well I did - and I was needing to do some weeding.. Now I'll know what not to pick out.... I got a pack of 10 cent seeds - just to give them a try.

Thanks a bunch!!

swoznick

Uh Oh! :(

I think I goofed today.

PoppySue: My seedlings look quite different from yours, but mine were planted indoors..maybe less stout.

Since you need a federal permit to grow these stupid things (senseless I know) I haven't tried them. I grow papavar rhoes (Flanders Field) which look like dandelions.

I am interested to hear if any of you have ever been hassled for growing them? Mine would have to be grown a few feet from the street, and my rhoes create a huge stir from everyone driving past! I don't want junkies ripping them out of the ground (or at least any knowledgeable junkies).

I've added some additional seedling pictures to my journal http://davesgarden.com/journal/viewentry/15434/index.html I haven't been hasseled at all for growing them - except maybe from other gardeners ;-)

These "stupid things" are some of the most beautiful flowers I have grown in my yard. The amount of poppies needed to become a narcotic surpasses most of our gardening options, were we to want to create such a thing in the first place or have the knowledge to do so.

Somniferum poppies are no more dangerous than any other herb that can be used beneficially or misused recreationally. For instance, digitalis (foxglove) is considered poisonous, though the components can also be livesaving when used for medicinal purposes.

I believe there is some distinction between the different somniferum poppies. Breadseed poppies have a lower opium content, I know. Thompson and Morgan is one of the few catalogs I have encountered that will not ship some somniferum poppy seed. The peony poppies seem to be acceptable for sale in the US, and they are some of the most beautiful.

If one grows these poppies close to foot traffic, it is possible that someone may pull them up, but the temptation may be their beauty rather than their potential as a nartcotic. Rhoeas poppies are wonderful flowers, as well, and there is room in the garden for all.

PoppySue: I've checked out the other pics, and I still think these are different than my seedlings. I'm sure they are much hardier when they get their start outdoors, so that may be the reason they look different. Your seedlings seem to have passed the initial cotelydon stage, but the second leaves don't look like poppy to me. I'll have to try some photos of mine to show you. Maybe you can figure it out.

I know what you mean Weez ... these haven't got that lettuce leafish look to them yet. They will - these are definately papaver somniferum ... I planted them in a big galvanized tub. I find that the somniferum & rhoeas seedlings look the same with the first few sets of leaves. Then they start looking more like the adult plants.

Thanks poppysue - mine are just at the first thin two leaf stage and I see them peeking out from underneath in the photo. It appears that I may have threw out a few too many seeds tho :)

I've got seedlings in several stages around here, so I'll take some pics to compare. I agree that most of the poppies look the same in the beginning.

no offense, i guess different varieties of poppies have different type of seedlings too. i was out today to take a look at the numerous kinds of poppies i planted recently. no two were alike.

one thing i have observed, the Ca. poppies seedlings are so different from the photo above. just my 2 cents worth.

Yes, MaVieRose: The Californias are quite lacy looking! When the orientals come up, they don't look much different than the somniferums or the rhoeas to me, but take on their own character after they get their first true leaves. I've never observed poppies coming up outdoors, so that may be the difference. My indoor starts are very delicate looking for quite awhile.

Carol... most of the annuals i grow, specially the poppies, i just scatter on the sandy soil we have here. i am far more luckier planting outside than indoor. seem like it is much quicker to start them outside than indoor.

btw... i planted also the seeds u gave me, now am eager to see how they would bloom. am sure to take photo once they bloom. the very reason why i see the difference on how the seedlings differ from one another. thanks.

I'm glad you've put the seeds to good use, MaVieRose. I'm eager to see pictures later on. By the way, thank you for the nice email card! It's good to be remembered.

I wish I could start plants outdoors, but our season is too short for most annuals. I'm sure they get a much better start out in the natural environment.

Mine are the papaver somniferum and look just like the photo :)

How long does it take for seed sown in the spring to germinate? I got some seeds from Poppysue and put them in about 3 weeks ago. I haven't seen anything yet, but perhaps I was a bit stingy about showering the seed everywhere.

Studley I think the temps will make a difference in how quickly they germinate. When the nights start to warm up a bit they should start sprouting for you.

Weez - poppies bloom so quickly from seeds. I would think you'd have plenty of time to sow them directly. You should try it when you put your seedlings out. Toss a few seeds out with them and see how they do. Since your summers stay nice and cool I bet you could plant them almost anytime in the early summer and keep blooms going right up until frost.

Two years ago I had a couple volunteers that bloomed in the same year, but it was quite late. The later it gets in our summer, the more rain and overcast weather we get. I like the poppies in bloom earlier so that I can enjoy them, but I'll try broadcasting some seed just to see what happens.