How to Grow Peony Poppies?

Growing peony poppies is a rewarding experience, offering beautiful, ruffled blooms that resemble peonies, and they are surprisingly easy to cultivate from seed.

1. Choosing Your Starting Method

Peony poppies (Papaver somniferum 'Peony Flowered') can be started indoors or directly sown outdoors, with direct sowing often being the most straightforward and recommended method due to their dislike of root disturbance.

Starting Seeds Indoors

If you choose to start your peony poppy seeds indoors, follow these steps to give them the best chance:

• Timing: Sow seeds 6-8 weeks before your last anticipated frost date.
• Containers: Use small pots or seed trays.
• Sowing: Sow seeds thinly on the surface of good quality seed-starting mix. Poppies need light to germinate, so cover lightly with vermiculite or use a humidity dome.
• Temperature: Maintain a consistent temperature of 65-70°F (18-21°C) until germination occurs.
• Post-Germination Care: Once seedlings emerge, reduce the temperature to 50-60°F (10-15°C). Provide plenty of light to prevent leggy growth.
• Transplanting: This is a critical step for poppies. Be very gentle when transplanting, as poppies do not like to be disturbed. It's often best to use biodegradable pots that can be planted directly into the ground to minimize root shock, or carefully slide the entire root ball out without separating individual seedlings.

Direct Sowing Outdoors (Recommended)

Direct sowing is generally recommended for peony poppies as it avoids the transplant shock that can stunt or kill young plants.

• Timing:
  • Early Spring: As soon as the soil can be worked after the last frost.
  • Fall (Mild Climates): In regions with mild winters, you can sow in late fall for earlier spring blooms.
• Site Selection: Choose a location that receives full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily).
• Soil Preparation: Peony poppies prefer well-drained soil. Amend heavy clay soils with compost to improve drainage. They are not overly fussy about soil fertility.
• Sowing Method:
  1. Prepare the soil by raking it smooth.
  2. Sprinkle the tiny seeds thinly over the prepared soil surface.
  3. Lightly press the seeds into the soil with your hand or the back of a rake. Do not bury them deeply, as they need light to germinate. A very light dusting of soil or vermiculite is acceptable if desired.
  4. Water gently with a fine mist to avoid washing away the seeds.
• Thinning: Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to 6-12 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth. This step is crucial for healthy, robust plants and abundant blooms.

2. Ongoing Care for Peony Poppies

Once established, peony poppies are relatively low-maintenance.

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist until plants are established. Mature poppies are fairly drought-tolerant but will benefit from watering during prolonged dry spells, especially when blooming.
• Fertilizing: Peony poppies generally do not require heavy fertilization. If your soil is poor, a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer applied at planting time can be beneficial, but over-fertilizing can lead to lush foliage at the expense of blooms.
• Pest and Disease Control: Poppies are generally resistant to most pests and diseases. Keep an eye out for aphids and powdery mildew, especially in humid conditions. Good air circulation through proper spacing helps prevent fungal issues.
• Support: Taller varieties, especially those with large, heavy blooms, may benefit from staking or other forms of support to prevent them from flopping over in wind or rain.

3. Harvesting and Seed Saving

• Cut Flowers: For cut flowers, harvest blooms just as the buds begin to unfurl. They typically last a few days in a vase.
• Deadheading: While not strictly necessary, deadheading spent blooms can encourage a few more flowers, but it will prevent the formation of attractive seed pods.
• Seed Saving: If you wish to save seeds, allow the seed pods to fully mature on the plant until they are dry and rattling when shaken. Cut the pods and open them to release the tiny, often blue-black seeds. Store them in a cool, dry place for planting next season.

Quick Growing Guide for Peony Poppies