What Determines How Many Blooms Are on a Poppy Plant?

Season

• Plant poppies in fall or spring to influence blooming time. Aggie Horticulture notes that spring plants produce mid-summer and fall blooms, while fall plantings produce spring and early-summer blooms. Restrict fall plantings to warm U.S. Department of Agriculture Growing Zones 10 and 11.

Site and Sun

• Poppies require full, bright sun for at least part of the day to grow and bloom, and won't bloom in deep shade. Plant poppies in sites with full to partial sun, at 8 to 18 inches, to allow space for sun and air circulation. Poppy plants expand to fill their space.

Soil and Nutrition

• Poppies prefer loose, nutritious soil, and bloom best with the right foundations. The National Gardening Association recommends tilling soil to a depth of 12 to 14 inches to prepare for planting. Mix up to 4 inches of compost into the soil to provide nutrition for growth. Give poppies balanced flower fertilizer every month to encourage large, lush blooms. The plants won't bear their best blooms with poor soil or lack of nutrition.

Water, Mulch and Maintenance

• Many poppy cultivars are drought resistant, and withstand long, dry periods. All poppies, though, bloom better with consistent waterings. Give poppies 2 inches of water a week during dry summer periods, and lay 2 inches of organic mulch over the soil to protect the moisture. Deadhead faded poppy blooms to encourage repeat blooming; poppy plants may stop blooming if old flowers go to seed.