In summer, its flowering is like a fire - the greenery already familiar to the eye at one moment flashes with scarlet lights, swaying from gusts of wind.
The blazing "bonfire" lasts only about two weeks, then the petals fall off, but it is impossible to forget it...
In care, the oriental poppy is unpretentious. Prefers open to the sun places, light drained soils. This poppy grows magnificently, actively propagating by root shoots.
Young bushes in the spring, before flowering, can be transplanted, watering abundantly at first.
At the same time, the plant sheds almost all the foliage, but does not die - a rhizome remains in the ground, which will definitely sprout in the spring.
Poppy is very resistant to drought, the scorching sun practically does not require care (except for pruning faded inflorescences and yellowed leaves).
When planting a perennial poppy, you need to keep in mind that it is aggressive and can drown out weaker neighbours.
It is advisable to choose a permanent place immediately so that later you do not have to wage a long-term war with it.
Flowers or seedcapsules for cutting. Height 80 cm. Dark red, large flowers.
Family: Papaveraceae
Origin: Southwest Asia
Special Features: Brilliant red, crepe paper-like blossoms
History: A descendant of Papaver bracteatum.
Colour: Bright red
Natural Flowering Period: May - June.
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z3-8.
Growth Habit: Tall flowering stems rising from leafy clumps which go dormant after bloom period
Foliage: Pinnately lobed and toothed; appear bristly but are not
Height with Flower: 80 cm
Spacing between Plants: 45 cm
Soil Requirement:Well-drained soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full sun
Use: The easily recognized Oriental Poppy looks good together in the border with peonies, Rumex sanguineus var. sanguineus and Verbascum "Violetta"
Specialities: Easy-to-grow from seed
Johnson Edward Killingworth.
Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 0,25
Seeds per Gram: 4000
Seeding Recommendation: 1g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 4 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 128 or 288
Germination: Rapidly germinating, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about + 20°C. Do not cover the seeds, but tightly press into the earth. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs.
Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: Anytime
Sowing to Germination: 2 - 3 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 10 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not Necessary.
Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm; 2-3 plugs per 15 cm.
Vernalization: A prudent recommendation would be to provide 6-12 weeks at an average daily temperature of 5°C. Exposure to cold may not be necessary for flowering but might improve quality.
Forcing: Early spring flowering. No forcing necessary.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm).
Oriental Poppy. Bot. syn.: Papaver bracteatum.