Is the corn poppy the national flower of Belgium? Detailed guide to planting time and methods
The corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is an ornamental flower of the Papaveraceae family, also known as the Flanders poppy, field poppy, corn rose, and corn poppy grass. It originated in Europe. The corn poppy has brilliant flower colors, a striking appearance, and a relatively long blooming period, making it suitable for planting in courtyards or outdoors. The entire corn poppy plant has certain medicinal value, with effects such as sedation, stopping diarrhea, and pain relief. So is the corn poppy the national flower of Belgium? Attached are the planting time and methods.
1. Is the corn poppy the national flower of Belgium?
The corn poppy is the national flower of Belgium. In many places in Belgium, you can see fields of corn poppies, because their flower colors are very brilliant and look enchantingly graceful, and they are deeply loved by the Belgian people.
In addition, the corn poppy flower is a memorial symbol of World War I. On the annual Armistice Day, many people wear or hold a corn poppy on their chest or in their hands to commemorate the civilians and soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the war.
2. Planting time and methods of the corn poppy
1. Planting time of the corn poppy
The corn poppy is a very beautiful flower, somewhat similar to the opium poppy. Generally, we choose spring or autumn for planting. Of course, although autumn sowing will not bloom or bear fruit that same year, the corn poppy has plenty of time to absorb nutrients and will have a dormant period through the winter. When spring arrives, it will begin to grow vigorously and produce beautiful flowers. In addition, corn poppies sown in autumn have a longer blooming period.
2. Planting methods of the corn poppy
(1) Soil requirements
For planting corn poppies, the soil requirements are not very strict, but if you want good growth and abundant blooming, it is more suitable to choose sandy loam soil with good drainage, deep soil layers, and fertility. In addition, corn poppy seeds are very small, so when sowing, the soil should be leveled and finely broken up, and then loosened regularly. Pay attention to the row spacing when sowing, cover with plastic film after sowing, and slowly uncover the film when the corn poppies sprout.
(2) Fertilization requirements
During the growth period, corn poppies generally need to be fertilized once a month, but do not apply too much fertilizer at one time, otherwise pests and diseases are likely to occur. Apply nitrogen fertilizer once in April and phosphorus-potassium fertilizer once in May, which can promote flowering.
(3) Temperature points
The corn poppy is cold-tolerant but not drought-tolerant, and blooms better under sufficient light. The temperatures for germination and growth differ: during germination, around 15 to 20°C is suitable, and during growth, 5 to 25°C is suitable.
(4) Watering points
If corn poppies are planted outdoors, after planting, you only need to keep the soil moist; frequent watering is not necessary. For potted plants, it depends on their growth condition and the weather; generally, water once every three to five days. If it is relatively cold in winter, water less, and during the vigorous growth period in spring, you can water more. In addition, there must never be standing water in the pot soil, otherwise root rot and other problems may occur.