To grow falling in love poppies, start by preparing a well-draining garden bed in a sunny location. It’s important to choose a spot that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Poppies thrive in full sun and require it for optimal growth and blooming.
Once you have selected the perfect spot, prepare the soil by removing any weeds or debris. Loosen the soil using a garden fork or tiller, ensuring it is finely textured and crumbly. Poppies prefer a soil that is well-draining and rich in organic matter, so incorporating compost or well-rotted manure into the soil can be beneficial.
Before sowing the falling in love poppy seeds, it’s helpful to mix them with dry sand. This will aid in spacing the small seeds more evenly and prevent them from clumping together. Simply combine the seeds and sand in a bowl and mix them thoroughly. This step may seem simple, but it can save you a lot of time and effort later on when thinning out overcrowded seedlings.
Next, sow the poppy seeds directly into the prepared garden bed. Sprinkle the seed and sand mixture evenly over the soil surface. As these seeds are small, it’s important not to bury them too deeply. A light covering of fine soil, no more than 1/8 inch deep, is sufficient. Gently press the soil down to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
Once the seeds are sown, it’s crucial to keep the seed bed consistently moist until the seedlings emerge. This can take anywhere from 10 to 21 days, so be patient. Water the bed gently with a watering can or a fine mist setting on a hose to avoid disturbing the seeds or causing them to wash away. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to rot and fungal diseases.
As the falling in love poppy seedlings emerge, thin them out to provide adequate spacing for healthy growth. This can be done once the seedlings have developed their first true leaves. Carefully remove the excess seedlings, leaving only the strongest and healthiest ones to grow. Aim for a spacing of 6-12 inches between each plant, depending on the specific variety.
Throughout the growing season, continue to water the poppies regularly, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Poppies have a shallow root system, so they are sensitive to both drought and excessive moisture. Mulching around the plants can help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth.
It’s important to note that falling in love poppies are annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle within one year. However, they readily self-seed, so once established, they may return year after year. After the flowers have faded and the seed pods have formed, allow them to fully mature and dry on the plant. Harvest the seeds by gently shaking or tapping the dried pods into a container. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place until it’s time to sow them again in the following spring.
Growing falling in love poppies can be a rewarding experience, as their delicate blooms add a touch of romance and beauty to any garden. With proper care and attention, you can enjoy these enchanting flowers year after year.
