Records of poppy cultivation go back to 5000 BC to the fertile crescent of Mesopotamia, between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates -- the preset day Iraq.
Since ancient times, the beauty of poppies has been immortalized in literature, lore and many paintings. |
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In the olden days Poppies were regarded as "common cornfield weeds" but today the Poppy is found in many gardens world wide and are treasured for their beautiful paper like petals.
The heydays of cultivating poppies were the years around the turn of the XIXth-XXth cenrturies, when Papaver orientalis Linnaeus (1753.) imported into Britain in 1712 came into vogue.
By about the middle of the last century the numerous cultivars became so ubiquitous in rural Britain that people got bored them and the popularity of poppies decreased. |
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However, recently we are witnessing a kind of revival led by Dutch and German nurseries promoting many new forms and hybrids. There are white, pink, orange, red and a new array of gorgeous pastels and even "black" (in fact dark eggplant color) vaieties. Some types reach heights of over 18 inches and bloom in late spring. The blooms are short lived but very memorable when you see a garden of the large flowers waving in the breeze.
Bees and hummingbirds love the nectar that is in abundance in these flowers. If you have extra seeds put them in your bird feeders and watch the birds enjoying the gourmet treat.
Poppies will thrive almost anywhere, as seeds will germinate in loose, moist soil, sand or even crumbling cement. Poppies are very easy to grow and will often reseed themselves so they will soon fill a flower bed with an abundance of flowers. |
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The golden poppy, Eschscholzia californica Chamisso ( 1820.) is the state flower of California. You can see this little poppy growing all over the freeways and parks all over California.
Poppies germinate best in cool weather and soil. Sow seeds in early spring an area that receives at least six hours of direct sun daily. I grow mine along side my green house and they put on quite a show each spring. Mine are bright orange and are doubles so the petals are layered. The dark black pollen in the middle of the bloom is a striking contrast with the bright orange petals. |
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Poppies grow in almost any kind of soil with good drainage. Nevertheless, there are types, which thrive evein in heavy calcareous clay, like this giant pink beauty at left.
When the flowers wilt for a short period the seed capsule emerging among the petals adds a special touch to the sight.
But in general they do not do well in soil that is too wet. Wet soil in the winter is one of the main reasons some perennials such as Iceland poppies fail to survive from one year to the next.
Since the poppy seeds are so tiny mixing then with some sand will help sowing them easier. |
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Do not bury the seeds they germinate best with some sunlight. Use the sand to cover them in a very fine layer. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, until seeds germinate. At a soil temperature of 55 degrees expect germination in 10-15 days.
When seedlings are about 1 inch tall, thin them to 6-10 inches apart. If you are planting annuals sow the seeds a few times through out the spring to extend the blooming season. |
| Poppies belong in the family Papaveraceae and may be found in the genera |
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- Papaver (Iceland poppy, Oriental poppy, Opium poppy, corn poppy and about 120 other species)
- Meconopsis (Himalayan poppy, Welsh poppy and relatives)
- Romneya (Matilija poppy and relatives)
- Eschscholzia (California poppy and relatives)
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The corn poppy Papaver rhoeas Linnaeus ( 1753.) shown here on the beautyful painting by the professional botanical illustrator Sue Abonyi is a common weed in Europe.
Corn poppy is also used as a remembrance of World War I in Canada: they are worn in remembrance of dead soldiers in general.
The popularity of poppies also stems from the diversity of it's use. Poppy seeds and oil are popular for baking and cooking.
The seeds of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum Linnaeus ( 1753.) are used in cooking and baking; there is nothing better than poppy seed cakes! The Latin word somniferum means "sleeping-maker" referring to the effect of its alkaloids termed opiates present in the latex of the plant excreted on the effect of mechanical |
| Corn Poppy, Papaver rhoeas Linnaeus (1753.) |
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wounding is used for medical purposes since time immemorial.
To name just a few, the complex mixture contains codeine used for example in pills used to supress coughing, morphine used in painkillers and the main alkaloide, opium is responsible for inducing sleeping resulting in higher doses in narcotic visions. |
