How to Grow Papaver Somniferum From a Seed
- 1). Select a full-sun planting location for your Papaver somniferum seeds that receives six to eight hours of sunlight per day. Choose a planting location that provides your Papaver somniferum with afternoon shade if you live in a warm southern climate.
- 2). Amend the soil at your selected planting location with organic material to make it more hospitable for growing Papaver somniferum. Spread a 4-inch layer of equal parts compost and peat moss over the surface of the soil. Work the amendments into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil until they are evenly distributed.
- 3). Stir your Papaver somniferum seeds into a 1/2 cup of horticultural sand. Pour the Papaver somniferum and sand mixture into an old salt shaker with holes large enough to allow the seeds and sand granules to pass through.
- 4). Shake the salt shaker to distribute the seeds over the soil at your prepared planting location. Continue shaking the salt shaker until all the seeds have been distributed.
- 5). Water your Papaver somniferum seeds immediately after sowing to help them settle into the soil. Continue to water your Papaver somniferum regularly to maintain evenly moist, but never soggy, soil.
- 6). Fertilize Papaver somniferum flowers with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer like Miracle-Gro or Blooms Plus once a month while the plant is actively growing. Follow the application directions on the fertilizer package.
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