Poppies are annuals that grow quickly in warm weather and produce seeds within a few weeks. The majority of poppies have seeds between late March and early May when temperatures hover around 25 degrees Celsius for several weeks.
They will also produce seeds if the weather is cool or damp, so wait until conditions are ideal to sow them out of doors.
Their rapid growth means that it’s not difficult to have an autumn crop of poppies ready for sowing in the spring once the weather starts to get warmer.
Poppies can be directly seeded into the garden from seedlings, which is ideal if you have a small plot.
They can also be started indoors six to eight weeks before outdoor planting time by placing seedlings into pots filled with nursery soil and covered with a glass dome or similar so they don’t dry out too much.
Some growers prefer to harden off seedlings first by exposing them outside for a few hours before putting them in pots where they’ll stay until planting time.
This helps ensure that they don’t develop any chilling damage while they acclimatize to variable temperatures outdoors, especially when there might be some unexpected frosts at other times of the year.
It takes about two weeks for seedlings to become established enough for planting outdoors in aftercare pots arranged on top of the ground (so-called ‘peg-bottom’ pots). Once these are ready, fill the bare area around each plant
How long do poppies take from seed to bloom?
If you are planting your poppies outdoors in the spring, they should be able to bloom in six to eight weeks.
Indoors, the plants will take two to three weeks longer. Poppies need a lot of heat and light to grow so they are planted out into the garden at least six weeks before the last frost date.
This gives them sufficient time to establish their roots in the soil and become established enough for winter protection.
This is usually achieved by using mulch or covering them with a plastic sheet.
It’s necessary for these measures because when temperatures fall below zero degrees Celsius, this can affect the plant’s health and growth.
You get an earlier start on your crop if you cover your poppy plants in autumn rather than waiting until spring when cold weather arrives, with it still having long days and warm nights.
What is the best month to plant poppies?
There are no ideal planting months for poppies, but June and September are the two best months to plant a spring crop of poppies if you live in a temperate climate.
Both those months have enough warmth to support the rapid growth of seedlings.
If you live in a cooler climate, it’s better to start your seeds indoors six weeks before outdoor planting time to give them time to grow strong and hardy enough for the weather.
Do poppies like sun or shade?
Poppies will grow in shade or sun, but they’re more likely to survive in warmer weather.
If you have a lot of other annuals in the garden, shade may be your best option for poppies.
It’s worth noting that the flowers of some varieties require cross-pollination, so they can’t be grown without another type nearby.
what are the best tricks to grow poppy seeds faster?
There are several tricks to speed up the process of getting your poppy seeds to germinate.
One method is to soak them in warm water overnight (around 24-26 degrees Celsius), but some growers prefer to use desiccant packets, which are sheets of silica gel that absorb moisture and release it as the flower dries out.
This allows you to dry out the seeds without worrying about mold. If you’re having trouble with damp or cool conditions, try sowing unmilled seed in a very light mix of sand and peat or perlite for a short period before setting it out in its final growing position.
Other methods include soaking your seeds in fresh urine, soaking them in vinegar, and then rinsing them with water, or soaking them in milk and then rinsing them well.
The key is to remember that the best way is not necessarily the fastest way… with time and perseverance, you’ll have your poppy seeds ready for sowing long before their time!
Conclusion
Poppies are beautiful and popular flowers that can be grown relatively easily.
They prefer warmer weather and need at least six weeks to become established before they can withstand colder temperatures.
Planting in the spring or summer will give them the best chance to thrive.
With some care and attention, you can enjoy these lovely flowers in your garden for many years to come!
