Okay I have some poppy seeds this year that I would like to plant. The problem is I have no clue how to grow them from seeds. I am in zone 8a with the last freeze generally before March 15th. So should I sow them inside to get them started or just toss them in the flower bed? I need serious instructions as everything I have tried to grow from seed in the past (both inside and out) I have killed. Suggestions?
Planting Poppy Seeds?
You didn't mention what type of poppy seed, but Wildflower Farms Seeds recommends planting California poppies and Corn poppies in Spring after the last frost.
I've been told to plant in the fall and they will get an early start in spring?
I just throw them out of the ground late fall (like Nov-early Dec).
I throw them out in the fall too, but we don't get hard freezes. I have to be vigilant about picking the leaves off of them, otherwise they grow right through frost and cold weather.
I've been told fall too - Oct to Nov. And to broadcast them mixed with sand (picture a mason jar with the lid punctured and shaken like a salt shaker).
I planted some years ago, and it was in the fall..I have them every year now, without having to plant them again...
You are all right about planting in the fall, but whether the seed is sowed in the fall or in spring depends on how frost tender the seedling is. The seeds germinate during the fall and spend the winter as tiny rosettes lying close to the ground. For most seedlings this is all the protection they need. Although many of the ornamental seeds are planted in the fall here in Texas, not all are. Poppy seedlings are frost tender.
I've been using Wildflower Farms (in Fredricksburg) seed catalog as a guide for several years figuring they should know since their livelyhood depends on it. What I like about the catalog besides having information on individual species planting time is the photo of the seedlings they include with the description of the plant. That way I know what I'm looking for. It gives me a chance to waylay my DH's weed pulling frenzies. He's a plant killer.
Thanks for all the information. To be frank, I just don't know much about poppies other than I like them. I got some this last year in an order and had no clue what to do with them. So it looks like I should have planted in the fall. Maybe I will try to throw a few out now with the technique suggested by SandiTX and save the rest for next fall. Bettydee I will check out Wildflower Farms catalog. That sounds interesting and maybe I could get a few good seeds from them this year.
Thanks again.
Is that WILDSEED farms?
Ann
www.wildseedfarms.com
I sew them in late to mid fall (now) all kinds california,papaver,corn,oriental etc etc etc they allways come up some have even began to be self seeding but they dont seem to do as well as the ones that grow in the well composted beds I prepare for them also the deer actually ate some of the california poppies last year.
Mine were just thrown in the garden back in the first of November..........they are really getting big now.....they made it through the last freeze.........seems they will have to do it again!!!
I threw mine out in about Oct. last year and they came up in the spring. I didn't see seedlings come up before then (in the winter) and they are just now coming up again. I'm going to throw out some more today because I forgot one so I'll know if it's too late if these don't grow until next year.
Thanks for your help everyone. I have quite a few seeds so I think I will put some out now and some out next fall.
:-)
The most important thing for you to remember is: those seeds are mighty small.............you should see one row about 2 feet across that I planted.............the plants which need almost a foot when they are grown are planted about 4" apart......every seed kept popping up.....tried to take most out.....you might want to mix the seed with sand and scatter....
I threw some seeds down in one of my flower beds several yrs ago, and they come back ,or reseed, every year. When THEY go to seed, I try to collect a bunch of seeds and then toss those seeds in a variety of places...along roadsides, up around the top of our driveway...we live in "the woods" between Blanco & Wimberley, so I've got lots of places to toss them. Same with bluebonnets. If the weather works with me, we get some extra color out here!