How to Grow Corn Poppy Seeds? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Methods
Corn poppy flowers and plants of the same genus all have taproots with very few fibrous roots, and they do not tolerate transplanting, so direct sowing propagation should be used, usually grown as a biennial. If needed for garden landscaping, it is best to raise seedlings in nutrient pots or small paper pots and transplant together with the pot, otherwise it is very difficult for them to survive or they will grow poorly. Now let us take a look at how to grow corn poppy seeds!
Sowing Time
Corn poppy seeds can be sown in both spring and autumn. Generally, spring sowing is in March to April, with the flowering period in June to July, and autumn sowing is in September to November, with the flowering period in May to June of the following year. If the goal is to collect seeds, it is best to use autumn sowing. In North China, because the winter is severely cold, seedlings have difficulty overwintering, so direct sowing is mostly done at the time of “Minor Snow” in early winter, which allows them to sprout and grow as early as possible in spring.
Sowing Method
For sowing corn poppy, the soil should be prepared finely, made into beds and watered thoroughly, then broadcast sown or sown in rows. Because corn poppy seeds are very small, the soil should be leveled and finely broken up before sowing. After broadcast sowing, there is no need to cover with soil, or a thin layer of fine sandy soil can be spread on top. The covering soil thickness should be such that the seeds can no longer be seen (0.2 to 0.3 cm). The suitable temperature for seed germination is 20°C, and at home they can be directly sown in flower pots.
Seedling Management
1. Stage One: The first stage of corn poppy seed seedling raising is from sowing to the appearance of the radicle. At this time the germination temperature is 18 to 21°C, it takes 5 to 7 days, and the substrate should be kept moderately moist.
2. Stage Two: The second stage of corn poppy seed seedling raising is from the appearance of the radicle to the expansion of the cotyledons, completion of germination, and growth of one true leaf. At this stage the temperature is 18 to 20°C, fertilizing can be done once a week, with N:P:K of 15:0:15 and 20:10:20 used alternately, at a concentration of 50 to 75 ppm, it takes 7 days, and the substrate should be kept on the dry side.
3. Stage Three: The third stage of corn poppy seed seedling raising is from the appearance and beginning of growth of one true leaf to reaching the transplanting standard. At this stage the temperature is 17 to 18°C, the fertilization concentration is 100 to 150 ppm, fertilizing once a week, and it takes 21 to 28 days.
4. Stage Four: The fourth stage of corn poppy seed seedling raising is preparation for transport, transplanting, or storage and shipping. At this stage the temperature is 15 to 17°C, it takes 7 days, and the fertilization concentration is the same as in Stage Three. After that they can be potted into 12×12 cm pots, and watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and withholding when wet.