How to grow Poppies

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How to grow poppies in a garden

Choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun.
Prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.
Sow seeds directly where they are to grow by scattering them thinly on top of the soil and barely covering with some Yates Seed Raising Mix. Firm down and water with a fine mist spray.
Water gently and keep moist through germination period.
Once seedlings are approximately 5 cm, thin out seedlings ensuring that they are a minimum of 20 cm apart. Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane or pea straw.
Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

How to grow poppies in a pot

Choose a pot at least 200 mm wide and deep. Position in full sun and is sheltered from wind.
Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.
Plant directly into the pot by scattering the seeds thinly on top of the soil, then barely cover with Yates Seed Raising Mix. Firm down and water with a fine mist spray.
Water gently and keep moist through germination period.
Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Yates varieties

Poppy Flanders Red

A beautiful rich, red flower with dark blotches, often recognised as the emblem of ANZAC and Remembrance Days. An exquisite massed display, flowering over a long period.

Poppy Shirley Mixed

Large single and semi-double flowers, some with frilled edges, in colours of salmon, rose-pink and red.

Growing tips

Select the planting site carefully, as these plants dislike root disturbances and do not transplant well.
Great plant choice for cottage gardens.
Varieties include:

Flanders Red or Shirley Mixed (P. rhoeas)
Spring flowering plants available in the well known red or salmon and rose pink coloured varieties. Sowing times - Tropical climates autumn to early winter, Temperate climates sow in autumn, Cool climates sow in late summer and early autumn.

Iceland Poppy (P. nudicaule)
Late winter blooms to early spring blooms that are available in shades of gold, lemon, apricot and salmon. Sowing times - Tropical climates sow late summer to early winter, Temperate climates sow in mid-summer and autumn, Cool climates sow in mid summer and early autumn.