How to Grow Somniferum Poppies

Papaver somniferum, a variety of poppy flower, grows in different strains, offering garden enthusiasts an assortment of colors and plant sizes to choose from. Somniferum poppies grow annually, completing their life cycle in one year. They experience two stages of growth: vegetative and bloom. During vegetative growth, somniferum poppies produce lush green foliage on sturdy upright stocks. Each stock subsequently forms a flower bud or several buds, depending on the particular strain. As the flower bud matures, it opens into large blooms with papery petals. The blooms form pods and seeds commonly used in arrangements in the floral industry and in baking.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Papaver somniferum seeds
• Shovel
• Compost
• Water
• Pruners

1. Plant somniferum poppies during the cooler months of the season, as they are a cold weather crop. Sow somniferum seeds in early fall and early spring for best results. Planting at these times of the year will ensure that the weather and soil temperature has cooled sufficiently for somniferum poppies to grow. While somniferum poppies necessarily need cool nightly weather and can tolerate light frost, they fair best when growing in climates without freezing weather, which can kill them. Grow somniferum in regions where the approximate nightly temperature range is between 35 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and with an approximate temperature fluctuation between night and day of at least 20 degrees.

2. Locate your somniferum poppy plants in a garden area that receives a full day's sun. Grow somniferum plants in direct sun exposure. The more direct sun exposure somniferum poppy plants receive, the larger, faster and more healthful the plants will grow. Grow somniferum in an area with afternoon sun, as opposed to morning sun, if you can't locate them in an area with full all day sun.

3. Sow somniferum poppy seeds one-half inch deep in soil. Somniferum poppies tolerate a wide range of soil quality and can be sown directly in your native soil. Till compost into the ground when using extremely poor soil; otherwise, sow seeds directly into lightly tilled soil. Water in sown seeds thoroughly and keep soil moist but not saturated until the seeds sprout and begin to grow.

4. Water somniferum poppies deeply and infrequently once the plants have sprouted. Somniferum tolerate drought conditions and little water, but regular, yet infrequent, watering ensures the best growth and flower production. Refrain from watering if in doubt whether the plant needs water. Over-watering poses a larger risk to somniferum than does under-watering. While under-watering will result in stunted growth, over-watering will kill the plants.

5. Allow the flower blooms to run their course before harvesting the matured pods. Allow the flower buds to open and the petals to fall off on their own. The stamen of the pollinated flower will swell in size and become the seed pod. A star-shaped cap crowns each pod and when the points on this cap, which give it a star-shaped appearance, turn upright the pod is ready to harvest. The pod will still be green, but it needs to be harvested before it splits open and spills the seeds. Cut the stem below the pod at a length that suits your needs and allow it to dry in a shaded area with good ventilation and air circulation.

Tips & Warnings

• Incorporate the dried poppy pods in floral arrangements and seasonal dried table settings or harvest the dried seed for use in baking.
• Growing Papaver somniferum for narcotic use is illegal many countries.

References

• Opium Poppy Garden The Way of a Chinese Grower; William Griffith; 1993