Plantation : Indoor: It is suggested to sow 8 weeks before planting outside. Sow oriental poppy seeds in 5 cm pots or cell packs, press into soil, do not cover. Needs light to germinate. Kept at 15-18 °C, germination is in 10-21 days. Outdoor: Direct sowing, if successful, results in more vigorous plants. The seeds are sown in place, into prepared seed beds in rows from the end of May to July. Thin seedlings to 30–45 cm apart.

Soil : Indoor: A well-drained, porous sowing media is best to prevent overwatering. Outdoor: It needs a rich and relatively draining soil. Indeed, it develops a strong taproot which allows it to seek freshness in depth, but which is sensitive to rot in poorly drained soil.

Culturals practices : Fairly easy to grow, they are full sun plants that like loose soil, and thrive in sandy soil. The oriental poppy takes a few years to settle in the garden but lives in a long time. After flowering, the foliage dies, and the plant will usually be pruned completely when it begins to turn yellow. The foliage reappears in autumn. Divisions are possible in the fall when the leaves are growing again. Part of the perimeter tuft is removed with a vertical spade. It is best not to move the mother plant, since the oriental poppy does not like to be transplanted.

Consult our technical sheet