How to Start Red Poppy Cuttings

Red oriental poppies (Papaver orientale), perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, are frequently grown from root canals, although not all poppies are made equal. Because they do not have fleshy roots such as oriental poppies, many red poppy varieties are best propagated by seed, and they die in the end of the growing season. Root cuttings produce clones of the parent plant so it’s possible to forecast their attributes, unlike poppies grown from seeds, that can be hybridized by a plant.

Dig up the red poppy plant in late autumn to early winter once the plant is dormant. Dig a wide circle around the plant base to reduce root damage. Shake off the excess soil, and rinse any soil to be removed by the roots.

Cut off a root approximately the thickness of a pencil or as close as possible, making a straight cut with a sharp knife. Choose only healthy, company roots which are flesh-colored, avoiding mushy roots. Before cutting, sterilize the knife in a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach and 9 parts water. Remove of the entire amount of roots. After taking the cuttings return the plant into its original place and water.

Cut on the root into bits 2 to 4 inches . Cut on the top end of the root across, as you cut each slice and cut on the end of the origin in a diagonal so you do not confuse the ends. If you have roots to work with lengths work nicely for thick, fleshy roots, but take longer spans.

Shake a small number of rooting hormone containing a fungicide. Cover the roots from the powder before planting. Do not place it back and Reduce the used hormone can happen. Treating the roots that are poppy using a rooting hormone containing a fungicide lessens the odds of root rot.

Fill trays or baskets using a rooting medium, for example equal parts sphagnum peat moss and perlite or sand.

Push a pencil to create holes with a thickness of 2 to 4 inches, equal to the origin cutting lengths. Add one poppy root cutting each pit with the slanted end in the base and the end flush with the top of the rooting medium. Distribute a 1-inch layer of sand above the cutting edge to promote drainage.

Set or trays in a place such as greenhouse, a cold frame, or even a garage or cellar, over winter with some artificial light. Water as needed during the winter to keep the soil. Sprouts should grow within eight months.

Transplant the cuttings. You can transplant the cuttings outside in spring, or keep them in pots through summer and over the winter, planting the spring them outside.

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