Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Poppies

Q. I have some fancy poppy seeds I tried to grow last season. None sprouted. They were new and from Thompson-Morgan, a good company. What is the proper way to get them to grow. I want to try again, as I like to cook with the seeds. Thanks!

A. I just became familiar with this company: http://www.thompson-morgan.com

I recommend that you email them and ask them why the seeds did not sprout. If this ever happens to a gardener, I feel he/she should contact the company immediately, not so much for a refund, which should follow, or a replacement, but to let them know that there just may well be a problem with that seed source. It could have dried out, or is infertile and they should be made aware of it.

Go to:
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/gardening/uk/contacts.html and pick the appropriate email address depending upon where you live. As for my suggestions, I can only say try again. Sow them very lightly, and cover only with a tiny sifting of peat moss. Keep evenly moist, in reflected cool light and allow to germinate inside in trays. Then, when established, transplant them into your garden beds. Also, I hope you are not using the ornamental orange-red Oriental Poppy, as that is not the seed with which we cook.

Q. After poppies bloom, can you (should you) cut back the ugly browning foliage?

A. Yes, trim off all that dead, brown or yellow foliage. It harbors insects and fungi and does absolutely no good for your poppies. Give them regular feedings of a high nitrogen fertilizer, as Rapid Grow or Miracle-Gro. In the spring, when they are getting ready to bloom, give them a booster, with a high middle number in the formula.

Here is some good info on the culture of poppies. If you know which species you are growing, you can go to the site I have chosen and click on the name.

(Poppies) Family: Papaveraceae

Range: Temperate climates in Northern Europe, Asia and North America
Number of species: 100

Many garden poppies are annuals, such as the corn poppy and opium poppy, or are short lived perennials, such as the Iceland poppy. The Oriental poppy and it's cultivars are useful to the perennial gardener. The common name is thought to come from the Saxon popig, meaning "sleep," a reference to the opium poppy.

Growth:
Mostly low-growing, basal-lobed or dissected (scalloped) leaves. Reproduction Plants normally produce solitary, papery, silken flowers that are crumpled in bud, cup-shaped, and four-petaled in flower and carried on hairy or bristled leafless stems. The globe-shaped seed pods provide interest after bloom.

Culture:
Full sun, and good drainage are required for most species. All prefer cool weather.

Propagation:
Sow seeds starting in the fall directly into the ground or transplant in cool, cloudy weather while seedlings are still small.

Uses:
Useful in the perennial border, annual species can be planted amongst roses and other perennials for an early spring display. Useful in containers and window boxes. Many species attract pollinators, repel deer, and endure drought, and bloom well in poor soils.

Facts:
Poppies (especially Oriental poppies) are a cottage garden standby, with many popular cultivars to choose from. An excellent addition to the perennial border.

For more info on these species, go to this very informative website:
Papaver (Alpine poppy)
Papaver (Iceland poppy)
Papaver (Oriental poppy)
http://www.arborquest.com/GNSdetail.cfm?g=Papaver

They are beautiful additions to any garden when given some simple care!