How to Germinate Oriental Poppy Seeds

Oriental poppy is the common name for Papaver orientale, a species of plant valued for its large, showy flowers and ability to withstand drought conditions. In their natural state, Oriental poppies feature brilliant red petals with contrasting black spots at the base, but cultivars with salmon-pink, white and bicolored flowers have also been developed. Both hybrid and nonhybrid types of Oriental poppies grow well from seeds, but the seeds are best germinated indoors about two months before the last springtime frost so they have time to grow a viable root system before they are planted outside.

3-inch peat pots
Seedling compost
Fine sand
Spray bottle
Plastic wrap

Instructions

- 1
  Fill 3-inch peat pots with seedling compost or a mixture composed of half potting soil and half coir, depending on which is available.
- 2
  Pour 1/8 cup of water into each peat pot to saturate the seedling compost or soil mixture. Let the water drain out for a few minutes before sowing the Oriental poppy seeds.
- 3
  Sprinkle a pinch of the tiny, black seeds over the surface of the seedling compost or soil mixture inside each peat pot. Do not cover the seeds.
- 4
  Spread a very thin layer of fine sand over the seeds to hold them in place. Mist the sand and seeds with one or two spritzes from a spray bottle.
- 5
  Cover each peat pot with plastic wrap to keep the soil moist during germination. Water the seeds with a spray bottle only when the surface soil feels dry when touched.
- 6
  Set the peat pots where they will receive very bright light and temperatures around 55 F. Avoid overly strong direct sunlight since the soil will dry out too quickly, which will shock the poppy seeds.
- 7
  Watch for germination in one to two weeks. Remove and discard the plastic wrap once the Oriental poppy seeds germinate.
- 8
  Thin the seedlings to one per pot once they reach 1 inch high and have a pair of true leaves, distinguishable from the first leaves by their frilled edges.
- 9
  Plant the Oriental poppy plants -- peat pot and all -- into a permanent bed once all danger of frost has passed.

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