Thanks to its golden yellow flowers, California poppies are particularly decorative and extremely frugal. Hobby gardeners do not need a green thumb to cultivate this pretty plant. Nonetheless, certain requirements should be met in terms of location and care so that the sleepy cap is
Location
California poppies love the sun and have a high need for light, which is why they are preferably grown in full sun. In addition, it needs sun to open its flowers. If, on the other hand, it is cultivated in a partially shaded or shady location, not only does flower formation suffer, the existing flowers also remain closed.
- Full sun
- Ideal in steppe or rock gardens
- It is best to cultivate a large area
Note: On cloudy days, the sleeping cap leaves its flowers closed even in full sun.
Soil / substrate
In the wild, California poppies prefer to grow in rough and rocky soils, sometimes even in inner-city areas. In the home garden, the lime-tolerant plant feels most comfortable in light clay or sandy soils. If you want to cultivate the plant in a window box, it is best to do it
a commercially available potting soil and improves it with quartz sand, expanded clay or lava granules.- Permeable to water
- Low in nutrients
- Dry
- pH value between 5.8 - 7.5
Pots / tubs
Yellow poppies are not only a feast for the eyes in the bed, because they also look particularly decorative on the balcony. Fortunately, it can be cultivated in vessels without any problems - provided that they meet certain requirements. Pots with a diameter of around 12 centimeters are best for this. These should also be deep enough so that there is no problem for drainage.
sowing
The best time to sow the California poppy is between April and May. It would be entirely possible to sow it until June, but the flowering would then shift to the following year. Accordingly, it would also be necessary to bring the Eschscholzia californica through the winter unharmed. For these reasons, sowing in spring is usually the better choice. Since yellow poppies are reluctant to transplant and prick out, they should be sown directly where they will later flower. The sowing itself is very simple and is structured as follows:
- Remove larger roots and stones from the soil
- Dig furrows about 1 cm deep
- Sow seeds about 10 cm apart
- Then always keep it moist
- Optimal germination temperature: 15 to 18 degrees Celsius
- Germination time: about 10 to 14 days
Note: A top soil thickness of 25 centimeters is sufficient for the California poppy seeds.
Fertilize
Fertilizing the golden poppy is generally not necessary, because the nutrients contained in the soil are usually sufficient for the frugal plant. However, if the soil is particularly barren, fertilization can still be useful. In this case, fertilization with compost, horn shavings and some rock flour is recommended about six weeks after sowing. For gold poppies in flower boxes, however, fertilizing is generally recommended, whereby the following should be observed:
- About every 30 days with liquid fertilizer
- Alternatively with slow release fertilizer
- Chopsticks or cones
Note: The peony poppy is a very lush growing variety that is happy about a small portion of liquid fertilizer every now and then.
to water
With regard to the water supply, it is better to be too dry than too humid. While the gold poppy copes quite well with dry periods, it does not tolerate waterlogging at all. As a rule, the natural rainfall is completely sufficient for the sleeping cap, only at summer drought is watering in the early morning or late evening hours recommendable. When watering, make sure that the water is distributed directly to the root area. If you cultivate the California poppy in a flower box, you should also pay attention to the following when watering:
- More frequent watering necessary
- Check the surface of the earth every few days
- Water as soon as the layer of soil has dried about 2 - 3 cm
- Remove excess water after about 20 minutes
Repotting / transplanting
The gold poppy does not like transplanting at all, which is why this measure is not recommended. It is best to sow it directly at the location where it is supposed to bloom in the future.
Cut
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The California poppy does not need to be pruned as it is usually grown as an annual plant anyway. However, it is advisable to remove the withered flowers regularly, as this promotes the formation of new flowers. Those who live in a region with mild winter can cultivate the gold poppy as a perennial and leave the dead leaves directly in the bed, so that natural winter protection is provided.Overwinter
California poppies are hardy up to -10 degrees Celsius and can be cultivated as a perennial and overwintered in regions with mild winter conditions. For this purpose, the withered flowers are removed in autumn and the fallen leaves are cut off near the ground in late winter. The leaves can be used as winter protection if necessary, whereby leaves, straw, brushwood or a reed mat are also very suitable. During winter, watering is recommended when there is clear frost on mild days. With gold poppies in pots, however, the following measures are recommended to get the gold poppy through the winter safely:
- Root ball can freeze through outdoors
- Move the potted plant to a frost-free winter area
- Location can also be dark
- Cut off all parts of the plant
- Pour every now and then
Multiplication
If you want to multiply the gold poppy, you can do this extremely easily using seeds. There are several methods for this: On the one hand, the flowers can simply be left for self-sowing. On the other hand, the seeds can also be bought in stores or harvested yourself. The seeds themselves are found in cylinder-shaped pods that open on the long sides at the time of ripening. As a rule, the small dark seeds can be harvested in September and then dried and stored.
Diseases and pests
California poppies are relatively insensitive to disease and pests. Fungal diseases such as powdery mildew can only occur in damp or too cold weather.