Poppy: sowing, care and propagation

The native corn poppy is increasingly appearing in fields and along roadsides. We present different varieties of the poppy and give tips on sowing and caring for corn poppies.

The poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is also known as silk poppy because of its thin, papery petals. We present the wild poppy and popular varieties in portraits and give tips for growing in the garden and in pots.

Corn poppy: flowering time, properties and origin

The corn poppy, also known as corn rose or fire poppy, belongs to the poppy family (Papaveraceae) and, like all its relatives, produces a white milky sap that helps with injuries exit. Corn poppy is one of the four poppy species native to us and occurs wild preferably on road embankments, arable land and dry meadows. Originally, the species probably comes from the temperate latitudes of Eurasia, but due to the global distribution of the poppy as an arable weed, no more details can be said. In the past, however, the petals were used to make red ink. The poppy got its name because its blossoms smack together in storms and winds.

Corn poppy is not a perennial plant, but an annual to biennial. It usually germinates every year from the seeds of the previous year's plants, which die off in autumn when the seeds are ripe. The wild poppy reaches a height of 40 to 70 cm. Corn poppy leaves are rough and covered with coarse hairs. Their shape is lanceolate to pinnate with partly sharply serrated leaf sections. Numerous flower stalks form on the thin, hairy and sparsely branched stems soon after germination in spring. The flowering period of the poppy is between May and July. However, poppy flowers are ephemeral creatures, as they usually only flower for one to three days – then the colored petals fall off and the elongated seed pod of the poppy appears. Many insects love corn poppy because it provides a lot of pollen. Especially bees (apis) practically roll in the stamens of the poppy and like to visit the flowers. In late summer from August, the numerous seeds inside ripen and take on the typical grey-blue color of poppy seeds. The capsule reveals small openings under the capsule roof as it matures and the ripe seeds can be ejected by movement or wind.

Are poppies protected? The poppy is not under nature protection, but for a long time it was hardly found on fields due to the use of broad-spectrum pesticides. Due to a stricter, more targeted and reduced use of pesticides, however, the poppy can now be found more frequently again.

The most beautiful poppy varieties

Corn poppy is mainly known as a field wild flower, but there are also different colored and partly double varieties. However, it is important to know that corn poppies from seeds are usually not uniform, so that there can be a wide variety of color mixtures despite the same variety name.

• 'Amazing Grey': Anniversary variety 2020 for the 125th anniversary of the Thysanotus seed trade with what is probably the most unusual color for poppies: grey-violet to light grey-blue tones in all nuances. This is how the 40 – 50 cm high shows itself Papaver rhoeas 'Amazing Grey' particularly attractive in combination with pure white or black flowering plants.
• 'Angels Choir': Poppy mixture of double flowers reminiscent of tissue paper in various shades of red, violet and pink. The poppy plants of this variety grow to a height of around 70 cm.
• 'Bridal White': Pure white flowering poppy variety with large, single flowers and yellow stamens. The variety grows to about 50 cm high and flowers from June.

• 'Mother of Pearl': Historical corn poppy variety from England with a mixture of simple, white to washed-out pastel shades of pink, pink and grey-violet. The plants grow 50-70 cm high.
• 'pandora': Noble-looking, semi-double poppy variety in exquisite shades of pink with silver-grey stripes. Poppies of the 'Pandora' variety grow to a height of about 70 cm.
• 'Pierrot': Red poppy variety with a black spot on each petal. The variety reaches a height of 50 to 60 cm.
• 'Shirley Double': Mixture of about 60 cm high double perianth poppies in shades of red and pink, also with white parts.

Sow and plant poppies

The poppy is a light germinator. This means that in addition to water and heat, the seeds only need a very thin or no covering of soil to germinate. The optimal location for corn poppies is in warm, dry and sunny locations with permeable and nutrient-rich soil. Since the small corn poppy seedlings hardly ever survive the transfer, the poppy seeds should be sown directly on the spot. Corn poppies are sown in a suitable spot in the bed in spring between March and May. The area should be free of weeds, the soil should be loosened beforehand and the seedbed should be prepared in a finely crumbly manner. The seeds should not be covered with soil or only a few millimeters. Carefully watering the seeds that have been sown is usually sufficient to ensure good soil contact for germination.

poppy in pot: You can also sow corn poppies on the balcony. For this purpose, a planter with a capacity of at least 5 liters with good water drainage is prepared. A drainage layer of sand, expanded clay or gravel about 5 cm high also prevents waterlogging in the pot. The pot is now covered with a good quality potting soil, like ours Plantura organic universal soil, filled up. The substrate is slightly compacted and then the poppy seeds are sown on it. After sowing, water gently to avoid swamping the tender seeds.

The right care of poppies: watering, cutting and Co.

Once sown, poppies require little attention. If the seeds germinate too closely, they can be pricked out. The most important care measure is regular watering, especially in the seedling phase and for potted plants. Fertilization is not necessary in most cases. Cut poppies to remove faded stalks, the plant will produce more young buds and the flowering period will be longer. Also, if you want to prevent the poppies from seeding, cut out the seed pods before they are ripe. For the vase as a cut flower, you should not cut open blossoms, but the buds. In this way, the poppy flowers only in the water and lasts longer.

Grow poppies

The easiest way to propagate poppies is through their numerously produced seeds. After successful pollination, the seed pods begin to grow and mature throughout the summer. From August to September, the plants, including the capsules, turn brown and increasingly dry out. You can tell that the poppy seeds are ready for harvest as follows: Inside the capsule can be heard rattling when moving, the capsule has opened and is therefore ready for the Distribution. Now the whole seed pods can be harvested and dried indoors for a few days. You can then let the seeds trickle out and keep them dry, cool and dark until the next sowing. Poppy seeds can germinate well for about three to five years.

effect and ingredients

In the past, the leaves of the poppy were used in the form of soothing teas. The dried petals were also used in folk medicine. They contain very small amounts of alkaloids, especially rhoeadine, which are similar to the much more potent opioids found in opium poppies (Papaver somniferum) were used for pain, restlessness and sleep disorders.

Is poppy poisonous?

Corn poppies are considered a poisonous wild plant, especially the milky sap contains the poisonous alkaloids in increased concentration. Therefore, the poppy is poisonous to dogs, horses and other animals that eat it. Roasted poppy seeds and petals are edible and harmless in small amounts. They taste slightly nutty and can be used as a tasty decoration in pastries or salads, for example. However, excessive consumption can lead to gastrointestinal problems, nausea and abdominal pain.

Drying and preserving poppies

Poppies do not dry well as a whole, because after a short time in the vase all the petals fall off. One possibility is to press the plants together with the blossom and thus dry them. Only plants that opened their flowers on the same day should be used for this. The seeds, on the other hand, can be dried very well. As soon as they have turned brown, they can be harvested with or without the stalk and dried at room temperature. The long-lasting seed pods can be used in decorative arrangements and wreaths.

the Chickweed (Stellaria media) can be found, like the corn poppy, often on fields and roadsides, but also in vegetable beds. We reveal how to recognize the edible wild herb and how best to use it in the kitchen.