TELFORD, ENGLAND - JUNE 22: Ornamental poppies bloom in a Shropshire field near Telford on June 22, 2021 in Telford, England. The ornamental poppies are grown for their petals and the seeds for culinary use. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
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Mistakes Everyone Makes When Planting Poppies
By SANDRA MARDENFELD
Burying Too Deep
Wait to plant your poppies until the soil warms, and if you’re planting seeds, make sure to lightly press them into the dirt rather than burying them. It helps to cover the seeds with a material that keeps the area moist but also allows light in as it is essential these plants stay hydrated.
Diseases
Poppies can get many diseases including downy mildew, gray mold, and root rot if watered incorrectly or if they lack proper air circulation. Make sure to space your poppies out, water the soil instead of the plant itself, and remove infected flowers from the soil when you notice the disease.
Poor Watering
Established poppies don’t need too much water, but developing poppies need a bit more TLC when it comes to watering. It’s best to frequently water your poppies lightly rather than occasionally giving them a lot of water, be sure to plant in a space that also offers good drainage.
Poor Deadheading
Deadheading your poppies will allow your plants to produce more blooms, but be sure to only remove the dead flower and its seedpods, not the healthy leaves. However, do not deadhead if you want your poppies to self-sow; while they will look yellow this year, they will self-seed the next.
Not Collecting Seeds
Once the seed pods become light brown, cut them from the plant, dry them out, and store them in a jar to use within the next two years. Biennial and perennial varieties may not need gathering, but you can still trim the foliage to ground level come autumn.