Anyone manged to grow himalayan blue poppy (meconopsis) from seed ?

Lee_Francis

I think this poppy looks fantastic - but to buy as a plant, too expensive-as I'm not a good gardener and they'd probably shrivel up and go to plant heaven.
Soooooooo, decided to get a little more adventurous this year and grow from seed.
I looked on the net-and of course on the packet - half price from wilkinsons -and for goodness sake. . . it seems that I have to spend 24/7 looking after the things over the next year or so !

Anyway, at the moment I have got them looking like this



teeny tiny seedlings. About 30 out of the 75 seeds have germinated. They're in 3 seedtrays, covered - watered, indoors, by a window, in semi shade.

So, have any of you successfully grown them ?
Any practical, time and labour saving tips from experince ?

Thanks

Lee

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I have grown from seed,and have bought the plant but never managed to get them to flower.My aunt bought a plant at the same time as me and she only ever gets one flower a year on it.Don't know what you are supposed to do with them but they don't seem to easy to get results, not with me any how.

Tiby

I have tried to grow them this year from seeds. Unfortunately none of the seeds have germinated! so I am quite impressed with your seedlings

nodwah

I've tried and failed many times, with plants and seeds so I'm dead impressed. I've one plant that I bought last year in Argyll ( bought 2, 1 survived) so far it has 7 leaves on it. I've seen them growing in gardens in Argyll and they seem to be in the sun ( not what I expected) and they don't seen to like being crowded.

Crescendo_2

Hi
It's been quite a few years since I grew my Himalayan Poppies from seed.
One thing I distinctly remember - when you transplant your seedlings (if you are going to do) is don't plant them any deeper than they are before you started. Also the seeds can take a while to germinate so give them a good six month chance to appear, during which putting the seed tray in the fridge in a plastic bag for about 3 weeks once you have removed the seedlings which have grown helps. Don't overwater - keeping them on the dry side is favourable. HTH
Crescendo

MrsA1939

Hi

I have been given some Blue Poppy seed heads, what is the best time to plant them and how to please, (sorry novice gardener)

Thank you

Lotus-eater

Now, but you won't get flowers this year I think now, This is off the top of my head though. Will be a good year next for flowers if you sow now.

MrsA1939

Thank you, I am I best sowing straight into the ground or into seed trays:o

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Wish you luck here.
I have never been able to grow blue poppies,wether I grow from seed or buy plants.

Davesnave

They need ericaceous compost, then acid to neutral soil, and rainwater. (seed trays first, then transplant) Depends which one exactly, but many are monocarpic & will die after flowering.

Try looking for info under meconopsis

Mojisola

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

Wish you luck here.
I have never been able to grow blue poppies,wether I grow from seed or buy plants.

Glad it's not just me. I've done everything by the book and never managed to grow them! It's a shame because the colour of the flowers is amazing.