How to Grow Poppy

Some of the different types and Poppy species include:

Flanders Red Poppy and Shirley Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) - these Spring flowering annuals are available in the well-known red (Flanders Poppy) or salmon, rose and pink coloured varieties of Shirley Poppies. These Poppies are predominantly sown in Autumn and flower approximately 20 weeks later in early to late spring. Check the seed packet for sowing time variations based on your climate.

Iceland Poppy (Papaver nudicaule) - these Poppies flower in late winter and early spring, with plump fuzzy buds opening to reveal stunning blooms with crinkled silky petals in shades of gold, lemon, apricot and salmon. Iceland Poppies are predominantly sown in mid or late summer and autumn. Check the seed packet for sowing time variations based on your climate.

Californian Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) - these annual Poppies have attractive ferny blue-green foliage and vivid red, orange, white or yellow flowers. Californian Poppies are sown in winter and spring in warm climates, and spring and early summer in temperate and cool climates. These hardy, easy-to-grow Poppies are great for growing in areas with hot summers as well as sandy soil.

There are additional types of Poppies including Oriental Poppies (Papaver orientale) and Peony Poppies (Papaver somniferum), also known as breadseed or opium Poppies and blue Himalayan Poppies (Meconopsis grandis).

Choose a well-drained spot in the garden that receives full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight a day). Poppies growing in shadier positions will not produce as many flowers.

Remove any weeds and grasses and prepare and improve the soil in the planting area by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food & Soil Improver Pellets.

Plants are easy to grow from Poppy seeds. Sow seeds directly where the plants are to grow (Poppies don't transplant well) by scattering seeds thinly on top of the soil and barely covering with three mm of Yates Seed Raising Mix. Firm down and water with a fine mist spray.

Water gently and it's important to keep the soil moist throughout the germination period. If Poppy plants are crowded (closer than 20 cm between plants), excess seedlings can be thinned. Pinch out the early buds until the plants have formed good clumps. This helps promote bushier plants and more flowers.

It's best to water plants around the base (rather than over the foliage) to help reduce the chance of leaf diseases. Apply an organic mulch, like Yates Dynamic Lifter 4 in 1 Mulch, around the plants. This helps keep the soil moist and reduces weed growth. To promote healthy plants and lots of Poppy flowers, feed every one to two weeks with a potassium-rich fertiliser like Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser or Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Remove spent flowers regularly to promote longer flowering. Alternatively, flowers can be left to mature, form seed pods and self-seed. Many Poppies make gorgeous cut flowers too. In the cool of the early morning, cut stems with flower buds that have just started to split open. To help prolong vase life, change the water in the vase regularly.

Choose a well-drained pot, at least 200 mm wide and deep. Position the pot in a wind-protected location that that receives full sun (at least six hours of direct sunshine a day). Poppies growing in shadier positions will not produce as many flowers.

Fill the pot with a quality potting mix like Yates Premium Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Sow Poppy seeds directly into the pot. A pinch of seeds can be scattered thinly on top of the potting mix and then barely covered with a three mm layer of Yates Seed Raising Mix. Alternatively create slight depressions in the potting mix, at the three corners of a triangle shape, and sprinkle a few seeds in each depression, before covering with a thin layer of Yates Seed Raising Mix. Firm down and water with a fine mist spray.

Water gently and it's important to keep the potting mix moist throughout the germination period. If Poppy plants are crowded (closer than 15 - 20 cm between plants), excess seedlings can be thinned. Pinch out the early buds until the plants have formed good clumps. This helps promote bushier plants and more flowers.

It's best to water plants around the base (rather than over the foliage) to help reduce the chance of leaf diseases. Apply an organic mulch, like Yates Dynamic Lifter 4 in 1 Mulch, over the potting mix. This helps keep the mix moist. To promote healthy plants and lots of Poppy flowers, feed every one to two weeks with a potassium-rich fertiliser like Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser or Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Remove spent flowers regularly to promote longer flowering. Many Poppies make gorgeous cut flowers too. In the cool of the early morning, cut stems with flower buds that have just started to split open. To help prolong vase life, change the water in the vase regularly.

Poppy seedlings don't transplant well and dislike root disturbances. So, it's best to grow Poppies from seed, sowing seeds directly where the plants are to grow. Also avoid weeding close to Poppy plants, which could disturb their roots.

When sown at the correct time of year and kept consistently moist, Poppy seeds take 10 - 14 days to germinate.

Depending on the type of Poppy, it will take 8 to 24 weeks to flower after sowing.

Poppies need to be grown in a position that receives full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight a day). Poppies growing in shadier positions will not produce as many flowers.

Yes! Sow seed directly in pots that are at least 200 mm wide and deep and position the pot in full sun.

Most Poppies are grown as annual plants (live and flower within one year), however Oriental Poppies (Papaver orientale) are herbaceous perennial Poppies and will die down in cool weather and re-emerge as temperatures rise.

Alkaloid Poppies, which contain opiates such as morphine, include Papaver bracteatum (Great Scarlet Poppy) and Papaver somniferum (Opium Poppies). In many states in Australia is an offence to cultivate or harvest alkaloid Poppies, without a special permit. Other Poppies, such as Flanders Red, Iceland and Californian are legal to grow.

Both alkaloid and other Poppies contain substances that can be harmful if ingested by humans or pets. If ingestion occurs, seek medical advice.

Poppy seedlings can be devoured by snails and slugs. Protect seedlings with a light sprinkling of Yates Snail & Slug Bait.

Poppy plants are vulnerable to the disease Powdery Mildew, which starts as yellowing leaves, followed by powdery white spots. To reduce the incidence of disease, water plants around the base (rather than over the leaves) and at the first sign of disease spray every two weeks with Yates Rose Gun.

Poppies need a sunny spot, with at least six hours of direct sunshine per day, to flower well. Plants growing in less sunlight will not flower as well. Depending on the type of Poppy, it will take 8 to 24 weeks to flower after sowing. And it's important to feed plants regularly with a potassium-rich fertiliser, like Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser or Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food, to promote flowering.

Aphids, small sap-sucking insects that can be green, yellow, black or grey, can infest Poppy plants, causing stems, leaves and flower buds to wilt and plant health to decline. Aphids can be controlled with Yates Advanced Garden Insect Killer.