Help with growing poppies...

[TwistandShout]

- First Thread -

Alright, so I want to start growing poppies indoors and I have a few questions, like..

-What temperature should the room be?
-What is the minimum and/or maximum wattage I should have for my growing lights?
-How should I test seeds that have been in an airtight or somewhat airtight jar from 10 - 15 years ago?

Those are my current questions, I'll probably have more later..

Thanks,
Twist and Shout

[nra9785]

Im not the guy with the answers, but Welcome, buuuudddddy!

[TwistandShout]

Ttthhhaannkkks!

[TwistandShout]

Bumperoozitz!

[LionsManeCultivator]

First off, get new seeds. 10-15 year seeds will almost deff. not germinate well if at all.
Second, poppies are hard to grow indoors but it can be done. They like LOTS of root space. LOTS. 75 degrees in full sun is a pretty good temp. They love light. Im not a pro and have never grown them indoors to maturity but this is from what I have read.

[LionsManeCultivator]

From what I have read, growing them indoors is almost a waste of time yield wise.

[outkasted00]

Welcome

mix in some organic fertilizer into the soil medium before you grow anything. then take a whole spoonful of seeds and sprinkle all of them into your flower pot. 1-15% of these 15 year old seeds will sprout.

Also the yields are bad indoors for opium, but if you are starting them indoors and moving them outdoors then that will be good.

[lyqwyd]

Originally Posted by outkasted00

starting them indoors and moving them outdoors then that will be good.

they don't like being transplanted, so make sure you use either peat pots or a large flat you can just place in the soil outside w/o disturbing the roots

[ez_goin]

I too, am growing some poppies. Taking a seat for any more valuable info.

[Oblivion]

Welcome and.....

Temps around 70ish. I wouldnt go below 65 if you can help it.
Lighting: Pick up a cheapo T8 32-40watt florescent lamp fixture at Home Depot. They have them for around 10 bucks. Important- 6500k color T8 bulbs. That is a blue light which most plants adore. For vegetive growth use 12 hours light and 12 hours dark. When they get to be a couple feet tall, switch over to 24 hours light and they will soon flower.
Test seeds by sowing in potting soil from Home Depot or some such.
Transplanting: Not so bad as you may have heard. Sprouts can be treated like shit and still grow up without holding a grudge against you. As they get older (a few inches) you have to treat the roots tenderly but they can still be moved. Growing in peat pots is ideal as the roots remain undisturbed when moved to the outdoors.
Dangers: Powdery mildew can attack the leaves if the air is not well circulated. This will eventually destroy the plant. This is mainly an indoor problem. I've never encountered it with outdoor grows.
I have grown indoors to fruition many many times. Some say it's a waste of time. That all depends on you. If you enjoy growing plants, then it is a challenge that will make you feel good about yourself and boost your skills along the way. Any time you have the chance to improve yourself, I say take it.

Good luck and welcome to the kingdom of nod.

[|dw|]

Originally Posted by Oblivion

I have grown indoors to fruition many many times. Some say it's a waste of time. That all depends on you. If you enjoy growing plants, then it is a challenge that will make you feel good about yourself and boost your skills along the way. Any time you have the chance to improve yourself, I say take it.

Good luck and welcome to the kingdom of nod.

I have started some indoors in one of those window sill pots about 3.5 ft long. What kind of pot should I move them too when they get larger or is that size fine to flower them in. There are currently hundreds of sprouts in the pot when should I thin them out, and is it worth transplanting some of them or should I just throw them out.

Is sun light enough for indoors or should I get some flows.

[Oblivion]

Thin them out to about 1/10 inches and they will do fine. Windowsill light wont cut it over time most likely. Either move outside go with florescent lights.