How to Propagate Corn Poppies by Seed? Detailed Methods and Steps
Corn poppies (Papaver rhoeas) are usually propagated by seed. Since they transplant poorly, direct sowing in the open ground is preferable. Autumn sowing is generally done in early September, but spring sowing is also possible, that is, sowing when the ground thaws in early spring, mostly in drills. The spacing between seedlings is 20-30 cm for autumn sowing and 15-25 cm for spring sowing. The optimum germination temperature is 15°C-20°C. Seedlings emerge about a week after sowing. Because the seeds are very small, the seedbed soil must be worked fine. Do not cover with soil after sowing; cover with straw to keep moist, and remove the cover after the seedlings emerge.
Because corn poppy seeds scatter easily, the ground where they were grown for a year does not need to be sown again; countless small seedlings will come up on their own in the same spot.
Corn poppies are mostly propagated by seed. Because they do not tolerate transplanting, direct sowing is often used. If plants are needed for garden display, it is best to raise seedlings in nutrient pots or small paper pots and transplant them pot and all, otherwise they are very difficult to establish or grow poorly. The sowing time is determined by local climate. The Northeast region is colder, so after the soil thaws at Spring Festival, beds can be made and seeds sown directly. The North China region mostly sows directly in early winter to encourage early sprouting in spring. Because the seeds are fine, sowing must be done carefully, using drills with a row spacing of 25.30 cm; in the depths of winter, cover the bed surface with dry grass to protect against the cold. At home, seeds can be sown directly in flower pots.
When sowing, apply sufficient base fertilizer. During the growing period the plants like moist soil, so water them in good time. Watering should follow the principle of "water when dry, stop when wet." Right after planting, control watering to promote root growth; after flower buds appear, supply water generously and keep the soil moist.
Sow in a previously prepared seedbed in September-October. The optimum germination temperature is 20°C. Because the seeds are very small, the seedbed soil must be worked fine. Do not cover with soil after sowing; cover with straw to keep moist, and remove the cover after the seedlings emerge.
After the seedlings emerge, thin them. The spacing of established plants is about 30 cm between rows and plants. When they have grown 5-6 leaves, choose a cloudy day, water thoroughly first, and then transplant; take care not to damage the roots and keep soil around them, and press the soil firm when planting. Do not water too much at ordinary times; just keep the soil moist. During the growing period, apply diluted decomposed urine at 5 times water once every 2-3 weeks. For plants not kept for seed, promptly cut off withered flowers during the flowering period so the remaining flowers bloom better. The capsules ripen unevenly, so harvest them in batches to save seed.
After the seedlings emerge and grow 3-4 true leaves, thin them appropriately to a spacing of about 15-20 cm between plants and rows. If transplanting or potting is needed, it is best done on a cloudy day; water thoroughly before transplanting, and when digging up the seedlings keep as much of the original soil ball as possible to avoid damaging the roots. Do not water too much during the growing period; keeping the soil moist is best.
Fertilizing must not be excessive either, otherwise the plants grow too tall, which affects flowering and appearance. Generally, applying 1-2 times of dilute cake fertilizer water or compound fertilizer from bud formation to before flowering is enough. After flowering, promptly cut off withered flowers; this makes the remaining flowers bloom better and can extend the flowering period. When cultivating corn poppies, practice crop rotation and avoid continuous cropping, because continuous cropping easily causes various diseases and poor growth and flowering.