How to Grow Corn Poppy Seeds? A Detailed Guide to Planting Methods
The corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) and plants of the same genus all have taproots with very few fibrous roots, and they do not tolerate transplanting, so direct sowing is the method used for propagation. They are usually grown as biennials. If they are needed for garden landscaping, it is best to raise seedlings in nutrient pots or small paper pots and transplant them together with the pot or pot, otherwise they will be very difficult to survive or will grow poorly. Let's take a look below at how to grow corn poppy seeds!
Sowing Time
Corn poppy seeds can be sown in both spring and autumn. Generally, spring sowing is done in March to April, with the flowering period in June to July, while autumn sowing is done 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 winters are severely cold and seedlings find it difficult to overwinter, direct sowing is often carried out at the time of “Light Snow” in early winter, so that the plants can germinate and grow as early as possible in spring.
Sowing Method
For sowing corn poppies, the soil should be prepared finely, and the bed should be made and watered thoroughly, then the seeds should be broadcast 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, though a thin layer of fine sandy soil may also be applied. The covering soil should be thin enough that the seeds are no longer visible (0.2 to 0.3 cm). The suitable temperature for seed germination is 20°C, and at home the seeds can be sown directly in flower pots.
Seedling Management
1. Stage One: The first stage of raising corn poppy seedlings is from sowing to the emergence of the radicle. At this time the germination temperature is 18 to 21°C, 5 to 7 days are needed, and the substrate should be kept moderately moist.
2. Stage Two: The second stage of raising corn poppy seedlings is from the emergence of the radicle to the unfolding of the cotyledons, completion of germination, and the growth of one true leaf. At this stage the temperature is 18 to 20°C, fertilizer can be applied 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. This takes 7 days, and the substrate should be kept on the dry side.
3. Stage Three: The third stage of raising corn poppy seedlings is from the appearance of one true leaf and the beginning of growth to reaching the standard for transplanting. At this stage the temperature is 17 to 18°C, the fertilizer concentration is 100 to 150 ppm, fertilizer is applied once a week, and 21 to 28 days are needed.
4. Stage Four: The fourth stage of raising corn poppy seedlings is preparation for transport, transplanting, or storage and shipping. At this stage the temperature is 15 to 17°C, 7 days are needed, and the fertilizer concentration is the same as in stage three. After that, the seedlings can be potted into 12×12 cm pots, and watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet.