How to grow Common Poppy

Papaver somniferum

Removing the first bud, before it opens, produces a plant then then makes six or eight buds; giving a more colourful show of smaller flowers.

Growing Common Poppy from seed

If the first sowing does not seem to work, disturb the ground where the seeds were sown and wait another week or so to see if germination is progressing
Sow in the spring into prepared open ground when the air temperature does not dip below 9C. The seeds need light to germinate so do not cover

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 5.85 inches (15.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.12 inches (0.3 cm). For optimal germination, soil temperature should be a minimum of 15°C / 59°F.

Transplanting Common Poppy

Breadseed poppies do not transplant well. Best to sow seeds where they are required and then thin out

Common Poppy is tender, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside.

Harvesting Common Poppy

Seedheads are decorative, and contain up to 1000 seeds.

Seed Saving Common Poppy

Harvest the seed heads on a dry day just as the holes below the rim begin to open. Tie a paper bag round the heads and hang upside down to dry, collecting the seeds in the bag as they are released.

Seed viability is two years.

How long does Common Poppy take to grow?

These estimates for how long Common Poppy takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Common Poppy to germinate?
9 days

Average 9 days | Min 1 days | Max 21 days (23)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Common Poppy?
+ 15 days

Average 15 days | Min 7 days | Max 52 days (6)

Days to Maturity How long until Common Poppy is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 90 days

Average 90 days | Min 90 days | Max 108 days (3)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Common Poppy?
= 114 days

Other names for Common Poppy

Oriental poppy

Papaver somniferum L.

Misspellings: Papaver somniflorum, Papaver paeoniflorum

Footnotes


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