Papaver

The genus has about 100 annual and perennial species. Some of them are known as weeds, such as the self-seeding poppy (Papaver rhoeas), which is characterized by a short flowering period. But there are also such species as the bare-stemmed poppy (Papaver nudicaule), which is grown specifically for cutting. Beautiful, usually large flowers of various colors bloom on long peduncles. The following perennial species are grown as annuals. Alpine poppy (P. alpinum) - a shrub 15-20 cm high, has a rosette of basal gray-green leaves. Flowers with a diameter of 5 cm have different colors (white, yellow, orange, red). This plant is used for the design of alpine and rocky gardens. Naked-stemmed poppy (P. nudicaule) with stems 20 cm high blooms from late May to autumn with fragrant white or yellow flowers. It resumes self-seeding; it is used more often as a biennial. From the annual self-seeded poppy (P. rhoeas), a shrub 0.5-1 m high with spring flowering bright red flowers, white, pink and purple forms with large (up to 10 cm) flowers are displayed. The sleeping poppy (P. somniferum) has a flowering period that lasts from May to July. Perennials include the oriental poppy (P. orientale) - a very tall plant with a stiff leafy stem, with large scarlet flowers (up to 20 cm in diameter), simple or double (there are white, pink and red of various shades); flowering in summer. The perennial bract poppy (P. bracteatum) has lanceolate leaves; the flowers that open in summer consist of red petals with a purple spot at the base. The leaves of the Atlantic poppy (P. atlanticum) are oblong or lanceolate. The flowers are colored from dark orange to red shades.

The genus has about 100 annual and perennial species. Some of them are known as weeds, such as the self-seeding poppy (Papaver rhoeas), which is characterized by a short flowering period. But there are also such species as the bare-stemmed poppy (Papaver nudicaule), which is grown specifically for cutting. Beautiful, usually large flowers of various colors bloom on long peduncles.

The following perennial species are grown as annuals. Alpine poppy (P. alpinum) - a shrub 15-20 cm high, has a rosette of basal gray-green leaves. Flowers with a diameter of 5 cm have different colors (white, yellow, orange, red). This plant is used for the design of alpine and rocky gardens. Naked-stemmed poppy (P. nudicaule) with stems 20 cm high blooms from late May to autumn with fragrant white or yellow flowers. It resumes self-seeding; it is used more often as a biennial. From the annual self-seeded poppy (P. rhoeas), a shrub 0.5-1 m high with spring flowering bright red flowers, white, pink and purple forms with large (up to 10 cm) flowers are displayed. The sleeping poppy (P. somniferum) has a flowering period that lasts from May to July.

Perennials include the oriental poppy (P. orientale) - a very tall plant with a stiff leafy stem, with large scarlet flowers (up to 20 cm in diameter), simple or double (there are white, pink and red of various shades); flowering in summer. The perennial bract poppy (P. bracteatum) has lanceolate leaves; the flowers that open in summer consist of red petals with a purple spot at the base. The leaves of the Atlantic poppy (P. atlanticum) are oblong or lanceolate. The flowers are colored from dark orange to red shades.

Cultivation

Poppies are used, depending on the species, in borders and flower beds or in stony gardens. Less often they are grown in pots - on balconies and terraces. Seedlings of annual species are usually obtained from seeds. On a permanent place in the ground, seeds are sown in the winter-in autumn or spring. Perennial species also propagate vegetatively. These plants need well-treated, humus-rich soil of any type, but poppies are very difficult to tolerate transplanting. During the growing season, many tall plants require supports, even if they are grown in pots or boxes.

Poppies are used, depending on the species, in borders and flower beds or in stony gardens. Less often they are grown in pots - on balconies and terraces. Seedlings of annual species are usually obtained from seeds. On a permanent place in the ground, seeds are sown in the winter-in autumn or spring. Perennial species also propagate vegetatively. These plants need well-treated, humus-rich soil of any type, but poppies are very difficult to tolerate transplanting.

During the growing season, many tall plants require supports, even if they are grown in pots or boxes.

Location

In order for poppies to have strong peduncles, you need open sun. Plants are light-loving.

Temperature

Neither annuals nor perennials have any special requirements.

Watering

During the spring and summer period, open-ground plants are watered when the ground dries up (the poppy easily tolerates drought). Potted specimens are watered frequently.

Transplant

Transplanting into a new container of perennial potted species is performed in spring or autumn in a container slightly larger than the previous one.

Reproduction

Perennial species are propagated by dividing the bush in the spring; eastern poppy - by pieces of roots in the fall. In addition, they can be sown as annuals, which, after planting in a flower bed, self-disperse for a long time, if the wilted flowers are not removed. Varieties and hybrids, if propagated by seed, will not inherit the properties of their "parents".

Diseases

The wet spots that appear on the leaves, peduncles and flowers, which later turn black, are caused by the defeat of the black bacterial spot of the poppy (Xanthomonas papavericola). Such plants have to be thrown away. Light spots on the leaves are the result of the activity of Peronospora arborescens. As a result, the peduncles bend, and the buds do not open. At the initial stage of the disease, plants can be treated with copper-based fungicides.

Acquisition

Seedlings are sold in cups, ready for planting. You should buy it in the spring, making sure that there are no signs of diseases.