Papaver somniferum , member of the Papaveraceae family , is the source of sweetheart , flavor and controversy throughout the universe . Floridata.com state that poppies , grown for medicative determination including the narcotic opium for more than 6,000 years , originate in Europe and Asia . arise as ornamental bloom , poppy reach 3 to 4 feet in height and bring forth a wide range of graceful blooms in red , white , majestic , mauve and pinko .

Germination

Papaver somniferum seeds take two to four calendar week to germinate , when they are plant in a placement that offers mediocre temperatures between 60 and 70 F , well - draining , nutrient rich soil with an average pH level of 7 , full sun and light to moderate moisture . poppy are highly raw to disturbance ; therefore , opt a permanent locating in which to sow seeds for the best success rate .

Early Growth

After the semen have shoot , foliage appears above the soil line in the form of a basal rosette of curly leaves .

Stem and Bud

poppy produce one to three main stem , which shoot up from the pith of the basal rosette within two to three week of sprouting . Each stem sports frilly foliage and ends with a single bud which bends , or nods , over until it is ready to bloom .

Flowering

genus Papaver somniferums typically flower within two to three months after germination . Depending on the variety , blooms may be single , double , or regulate like pom pommy . Once the poppy blooms , each flowers endure 30 to 40 hours , then falls away to reveal the rise cum pod .

Poppy Pods

The pod is the most controversial , illegal , part of the poppy . pod can be globose , elongate or pumpkin-shaped in shape , and produce the milky white latex from which opium is produced . According to Poppies.org , opium can be reap from seed pods in as small as two weeks after the flush disappearance . Opium production is a painstaking , stringent subprogram that is illegal in many parts of the world .

Going to Seed

Poppy seeded player are a pop gain to salad dressing , cakes and muffins . When the seed pod is allowed to ripen and dry out on the stem , it produces chiliad of semen . Papaver somniferum plants are ego seed . The ejaculate can be collected and salt away indefinitely for further propagation .

References

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