How to Plant Poppies

Poppies are wild plants that always welcome us in spring. The heat begins the good weather and if you look closely, the fields begin to fill with these red flowers. In late spring and before summer, many fields are filled with red flowers.

One thing must be taken into account. Although it is true that they grow wild, it should not be confused with being a strong flower. We explain it. They are very delicate flowers.  Likewise, they are not flowers that bring happiness to everyone. For example, farmers are not too amused to see how these flowers reproduce in their fields because they proliferate and kill everything.

All that glitters is not gold either unfortunately; its permanence once the flower is there is rather short.

It will depend on a little more or a little less, but generally, it does not last more than a couple of weeks. And be careful when cutting them, preparing bouquets or taking them by hand, because it is already known that they stain a lot. So much so that it stains the hand and clothes. And no, poppies don’t smell. They are very pretty and striking, but they have no scent.

Instructions for planting poppies

1. If you have a garden, a terrace, a balcony or an area where you want to show off striking flowers and give them the sun, poppies can be a magnificent alternative.
2. It is not very common to know, but there are several types of poppies. Poppies are generally believed to be those little red flowers that bloom in the fields. And yes, it is true. But there are other varieties with other peculiarities.
3. We can find the oriental poppies or the Californian poppies.
4. The differences between the two: Oriental poppies can grow up to a meter and a half tall and can be found in the typical shade of red and also in pink. California poppies grow even in cooler temperatures and adapt more easily.
5. When planting poppies at home using seeds, it is very important to know where they are going to be planted. Since it is not the same, in a large parterre, as doing it in a pot or in the garden.
6. We tell you about the big differences depending on where you want to plant it (don’t forget it if you want it to flourish and not rot or die).
7. If you have decided to plant the poppies in the garden(either in the garden itself, in a large flower bed, etc.), what you will need as a minimum: soil, fertilizer, sand and poppy seeds.
8. As for the fertilizer, it is not essential. But if you want to make sure that all the seeds will come out and hold you, it is recommended.
9. Regarding the land, it is basic. You need soil to plant the seeds. In general, they do not need concrete land. And the sand is not essential. It is something recommended because it helps to compact it with the soil and the seeds. But if you don’t have it or don’t want to buy it, it’s not necessary.
   At the time you decide to plant the poppy seeds you must have the earth moved. That is, move it so that it is not completely compacted. It needs to air out. Next, there are two options (depending on whether you use sand or not).
10. If you decide to sand it, then on top of the layer of soil, pour a thin layer of sand. And then he waters the land a little. When moist, layer with poppy seeds. Now, pour a fine layer of sand over the seeds again and water again. Be careful, it only needs to be moist, not soaking wet. If you get too wet, you run the risk of drowning.
11. The other option (just as valid for planting poppies in your house), is the following: once the earth has been moved, moisten it a little (not soaking). Now add a layer of poppy seeds. Pour a little water over them again.
12. An important fact is that the soil should always be moist. Not soaked, because it would be counterproductive and the seeds would end up not blooming and would rot.
13. Now, if you prefer to show off poppies in a pot and have them as ornamentation, you have to keep in mind that the type of pot you use is very important. Do not take it silly; in fact, many times the problem of a plant dying, burning, not growing or rotting is precisely because of the material of the pot. The least recommended are those made of plastic. The reason? Being plastic, with the heat and the sun, it gets very hot, the temperature rises and the earth and the plant burn. You have to be much more careful with watering. On the other hand, the most advisable are those made of clay. They keep the temperature much better and do not burn the plant.
14. Poppies need the sun. In fact, that is why you see them so beautiful in fields where, precisely, the sun shines on them daily. If you have them in pots and they don’t get much sun, you should place them daily to catch a little sun so they don’t wither. If you have planted the seeds in a sunny area, you will have no problem seeing them very pretty.
15. For you to see the poppies germinate (although it is not an exact science because many factors influence) it will usually take between a week and a month. When you start to see poppies bloom, you also have to keep in mind that they don’t usually last long… they are very fragile and delicate.
16. Be very careful with watering when you already have poppies. If you pour water on the flowers, you will wither and kill them. Your precious leaves will be very ugly and damaged. So just wet the ground.
17. If you want to cut the flowers you must do it very carefully. Especially with its leaves.  It’s beautiful and showy red flowers stain a lot and, furthermore, if you stain your clothes it is practically impossible for the stain to disappear.
18. It is a pity that the flowers of the poppies last so little. Since you will only see that they are in bloom for a few weeks, little more. It is not because you are taking care of them badly or they lack any nutrient… poppies are like that.
19. A trick so that once you have the poppies, you do not have to buy more seeds, is to take advantage of the seeds of your own plant. Pick them and plant them. Do the process just as you did the first time. This way you will always have poppies in your garden and you will not have to spend anything to buy seeds again.

What do you need to plant poppies?

• Poppy seeds.
• Land to plant the seeds.
• A pot if you want to plant it in a pot. Preferably, it is made of a clay material.
• Sand. It is not essential, but it is advisable.
• Fertilizer. Although it is not essential, it is advisable.
• Water.

Tips for planting poppies

These beautiful flowers that begin to invade the fields at the end of spring with their reddish tones are an admiration for flower lovers, for painters, for photographers but not so much, for many peasants and farmers who see how many of their plantations are spoiled precisely because of the poppies.

In fact, it is a plant that is plagued quite easily. Therefore, even if you are trying to plant poppies in your garden, be careful that it does not spread freely and begins to plague the entire land. Because once you do it, you can continue to do it for life.