Poppy Perennial Seeds & Bulbs

Frequently Asked Questions About Poppy Flower Seeds

The poppy is a flower that can grow in many parts of the world. They have smaller seeds that spread easily, and the green shoots appear in about two weeks. With some care, they make colorful flowers, and you can find many on eBay.

Before planting, the ground may need some preparation. If the soil is dense or compact, loosen several inches of the top with a garden tool. The poppy seeds are tiny, and sometimes large clumps of them can be accidentally thrown into the soil all at once. To make them easier to spread, some growers recommend mixing them with a small amount of sand. The heavier mixture may spread more evenly.

After spreading, shovel loose dirt, topsoil, or potting mixture over the top. Apply a layer approximately 1/8 to ¬-inch thick. It does not usually require a dense top layer. Mist or lightly water the garden so that it does not become bone-dry. These types of perennials can be tolerant of drought conditions, so they do not need to be overwatered. New plants may appear in about two weeks.

Often the seeds remain fresh when kept in a tightly sealed container and placed in a refrigerator. All of the seeds may not survive, but some may. They can be refrigerated for about 90 to 180 days.

To save the seeds for planting the following year, freeze them. Again, some of them may not produce flowers after storing.

A perennial type of plants lives for one season, but they often bloom many times during that period. Once the perennial poppy dies, the petals will wilt and fall away. Seeds may drop from it, and if time and weather conditions permit, a new stalk may appear and flower again. Regardless, a large variety of these perennials are available on eBay.

They blossom in many colors and petal patterns.

• The Papaver somniferum is one variety that produces the edible poppy seed. The petals are a light purplish-red hue.
• Celandines are bright yellow, and the Tulip species have yellow petals with an orange center.
• Pygmies are white with yellow centers.
• The California poppy ranges from golden oranges to deep reds.