A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Methods for Corn Poppy
The corn poppy is also known as Lichunhua, Saimudan, Manyuanchun, Xiannühao, etc. It is an annual herbaceous plant in the genus Papaver of the family Papaveraceae. Its flowers are rich in color and its flowering period is long. It is suitable for planting in flower beds and flower borders, and can also be grown in pots or used as cut flowers. When planted in masses in parks, the scenery is very pleasant. Now let us take a look at the planting methods for corn poppy!
Growth Habits of Corn Poppy
The corn poppy is native to Europe and is commonly cultivated around the world. The suitable temperature for growth and development is 5-25°C. In areas with high temperatures in spring and summer, the flowering period is shortened, and the temperature difference between day and night is large. Low temperatures at night are beneficial for growth and flowering. It grows well in high-altitude mountainous areas, and the flower colors are more vivid. Its lifespan is 3-5 years. It is cold-resistant, afraid of summer heat, likes a sunny environment, and prefers well-drained, fertile sandy loam. It is not tolerant of transplanting, avoids continuous cropping and waterlogging, and can self-sow. The flowering period is from May to August.
Propagation Methods of Corn Poppy
The corn poppy is mainly propagated by sowing, usually cultivated as a biennial. It can be sown in spring or autumn. Generally, spring sowing is in March to April, with the flowering period in June to July. Autumn sowing is in September to November, with the flowering period in May to June of the following year. If the purpose is to collect seeds, it is best to use autumn sowing. The soil should be prepared finely, made into beds and watered thoroughly, then broadcast sown or drilled. Because the seeds of the corn poppy are very small, when sowing, the soil should be leveled and finely broken up. After broadcast sowing, there is no need to cover with soil, or a thin layer of fine sandy soil can be applied. The covering soil thickness should be such that the seeds are no longer visible (0.2-0.3 cm). In North China, because winters are severe and seedlings have difficulty overwintering, direct sowing is often carried out in early winter at the time of “Minor Snow”, so that they can sprout and grow as early as possible in spring.
Planting Methods of Corn Poppy
1. Site selection: The corn poppy likes places with sufficient light and good ventilation. It is cold-resistant and not tolerant of moisture or heat. It should not be planted in overly fertile soil, should not be planted in continuous cropping, and should not be raised or planted in low-lying, humid places with heavy water and fertilizer or poor light, otherwise it will grow poorly and is also prone to disease. It has low requirements for soil, but loose, fertile sandy loam is best.
2. Pot cultivation: For pot cultivation of corn poppy, in January use a flower pot with an inner diameter of 20 cm, fill it more than half full with loose old potting soil, press it level, sow 20 to 30 seeds, cover with soil to the extent that the seeds are no longer visible, and after sowing, soak the pot in water to let moisture seep in.
3. Thinning: The corn poppy is usually cultivated as a biennial. When the seedlings have 5-6 leaves, thin them out, with a plant and row spacing generally of 30×30 cm. The corn poppy is not tolerant of transplanting, so direct sowing in the garden is best.
4. Fertilization: The corn poppy is usually given 2-3 applications of dilute liquid fertilizer before flowering, but fertilization must not be excessive, otherwise it is prone to pests and diseases. For field planting, apply thin fertilizer twice before overwintering, and apply liquid fertilizer once more before flowering. Apply a final topdressing before flowering to promote large, brightly colored flowers and vigorous blooming.
5. Watering: During the seedling growth period of the corn poppy, do not water too much, but keep the soil moist. For field planting, under normal circumstances it is not necessary to water frequently. For pot cultivation, water once every 3-5 days depending on the weather and potting soil conditions. About 60% of the field soil's maximum water-holding capacity is better for the development of the corn poppy. Water less during overwintering, and water more during spring growth.
6. Diseases: A common disease of the corn poppy is seedling-stage wilt. Spray with a 1000-fold solution of 25% thiophanate wettable powder. Usually, after the cotyledons emerge, spray with a 1000-fold solution of chlorothalonil or thiophanate-methyl once a week for 2-3 consecutive times.
7. Pests: A common pest of the corn poppy is aphid damage. Adults and nymphs gather densely on tender shoots and suck sap from the leaves. Commonly used sprays for control include 35% luanchongjing emulsifiable concentrate at 1000-1500 times dilution, 2.5% Tianwangxing emulsifiable concentrate at 3000 times dilution, 50% mieyaling emulsifiable concentrate at 1000-1500 times dilution, 10% cyhalothrin emulsifiable concentrate at 3000 times dilution, 2.5% Kung Fu emulsifiable concentrate at 3000 times dilution, 40% chlorpyrifos emulsifiable concentrate at 1500 times dilution, 40% omethoate at 1000 times dilution, and 2.5% rotenone emulsifiable concentrate at 1500 times dilution.