Hello Everyone,
I have never had any luck starting poppies from seeds. This spring I had several package of various types of poppies and decided to just throw them in an old washtub and see what happens. To my surprise they actually sprouted and are now 2 to 6 inches tall. I am not sure what to do now. I live in the upper peninsula of Michigan and they will need to overwinter so I am no sure if I should plant them in my flower beds with the hope they will come back next year, Should I plant the little seedlings in their own pots and try to overwinter them in the garage? Any ideas? Thanks, Sue

Many, many poppy varieties are annuals. The way you're about to treat them depends on which ones they are.

I think poppies are going to be a little fussy about transplanting because they have a fairly long root, but if you keep them well-watered they will probably do better in the ground then they will in pots. They seem to be pretty hardy in our zone. Do as much as you can to avoid disturbing the root when you transplant.

I'd leave them where they are. They can be transplanted, but best done at one to two true leaf stage.

Or, are they perennial? Oriental poppies?

Karen

I have not had much luck moving poppies. If they are tiny enough, I have succeeded in moving a shovel full deeply dug so as not to disturb the roots and babies, then gently placed in a predug hole the same size without moving the dug dirt any. Then water gently and well.

The perennial oriental poppies may survive if kept damp for a few weeks until the plant is actively growing again. If you let it dry out, it will die. They just don't like to be moved, unfortunately.

If necessary, just give it try with a few at a time and see how it goes.

Poppy seeds need a cold winter to germinate and very little soil on top. Where I used to live in southern Ontario, I sprinkled my poppy seed on the garden in the fall for sprouting the following spring. I have no idea if I can do that up here, or not. I'll find out. (Just moved up here in the far north of BC)