The Latest Guide to Growing Corn Poppies: Methods and Precautions Explained
When it comes to corn poppies, everyone is surely familiar with them. The corn poppy is a common ornamental flower. Many flower enthusiasts have had experience growing corn poppies too. So, do you know what tips and precautions there are for growing corn poppies? Today, we will give you a detailed introduction to the relevant knowledge, so follow along and learn with us.
1. Sowing and propagation: Sow in September to October in a seedbed prepared in advance. The suitable germination temperature is 20°C. Because the seeds are very small, the seedbed soil must be finely prepared. After sowing, do not cover with soil; cover with straw to keep moist, and remove the cover after seedlings emerge. Corn poppy seeds scatter easily, so after one year of growing, the area does not need to be sown again; countless small seedlings will self-sow in place.
2. Planting: After sowing and seedling emergence, if not transplanting, thin and set the plants at a spacing of 20 cm x 30 cm between plants and rows. The planting time should be no later than 110-120 days before the intended flowering date. If transplanting is needed, do it on a cloudy day when the seedlings have grown 3-4 true leaves. Before transplanting, water thoroughly; when lifting the seedlings, keep soil around the roots and do not damage the roots.
3. Light: It prefers cool conditions and dislikes high temperatures. Warm winters and cool summers are most suitable for its growth. During the growing period, it requires sufficient light, with at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. If the growing environment is shady and light is insufficient, the plants grow weak and spindly, and the flower colors are dull.
4. Temperature: Corn poppies are cold-resistant and afraid of summer heat. The suitable growing temperature is 12-20°C. When summer temperatures rise, corn poppies grow less vigorously, and the aboveground parts turn yellow and die. Low nighttime temperatures are beneficial for growth and flowering, and they grow well in high-altitude mountainous areas.
5. Watering: When sowing, apply sufficient base fertilizer. During the growing period, it likes moist soil, so water promptly. Watering should follow the principle of "water when dry, stop when wet." Just after planting, control watering to promote root growth; after budding, provide plenty of water and keep the soil moist.
6. Fertilizing: Before flowering, apply dilute liquid fertilizer 1-2 times. After budding, spray the leaves with a 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution once every 3 days to promote flowering. After corn poppies bloom, promptly cut off withered flowers so the remaining flowers bloom better.