growing P. Somniferum

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Growing P. Somniferum

This kind of poppy (Papaver somniferum) seeds germinate from 10 to 21 days, even better if the soil temperature is cool, 60-65 degrees F or air temperature of 55 degrees F. Although seeds do not like hot temperatures the somniferum have germinated at 80 degrees F. When the weather is too warm it will be better to plant the seeds in peat pellets as usual and then refrigerate them for one week. When you take them out they will germinate en masse. This is the best you can do for germination in warm weather.

The next step is to thin the seedlings by cutting off the tops using a scissors, you must leave the 2 or 3 healthiest looking per pellet. When they have minimum their first true leaves pot them up pellet and all, which are the second pair. You’ll do better by letting your plants go until small roots are coming out the bottom or sides of the pellet. When the seeds are coming up, watch out for damping off, which means fungus; if this happens they will rapidly keel over in unison. To prevent this, provide enough air circulation using a slow fan on the sprouts, this will strengthen stems also. Be careful that they are not sopping wet. You can also lightly brush your hand over the tops of the plants every day because most plants enjoy human contact.

Growing p.somniferum requires soil that is not too heavy mixing with sand, vermiculite, peat moss in if the soil is full of clay. Remember garden soil is too heavy for pot-bound plants. Get better results with high quality potting soil with some Black Cow Composted Manure mixed in. It is worthwhile to invest in good soil.

It is very easy for poppies to hybridize. You must exclude the pollen of other varieties and save the papaver somniferum seeds from year to year; this way you will get more poppies of the dominant types. When you want to preserve the seeds of a certain strain, select the biggest or earliest or healthiest and when the bud begins to open, cover it with a light cheesecloth or with a thin white cloth. Tie lightly. You can use paper bags or clip the petals closed to keep the bees off. Be careful to replace them when it rains to prevent the plant to get waterlogged. Uncover it everyday to fertilize the flower by brushing the pollen from the stamens to the ovary using an artist´s light paintbrush. Wait for the petals to fall so you can take the sack off, and the seeds that produced that pod should be the pure strain.

Growing p. somniferum allows you to make your own hybrids, taking pollen from one type and transferring it to another that must be covered to exclude all other pollen. You will get this way a mixed bag as a result of hybridizing.

When you get something that you like, be sure to maintain that plant self-fertilized until you get a good dependable seed for it. Keep in mind that growing p. somniferum seeds pod as well as fruiting plants need more sun than any other plant; in case you want to grow poppies for their p. somniferum seeds pod indoors.