transplanting poppy seedlings

Discussion in 'Seed Starting / Propagation' started by tantric, Jun 8, 2015.

  1. tantric

    tantric New Seed

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    impossible, very not recommended. but i can't get them to sprout in a bed. i started two different types in those bonsai pots, 2" deep, 5" diameter with half potting soil, half sand, and they sprouted fine. got about an inch tall and started to falter, so tonight i transplanted them to a much larger container with the same mix.

    procedure:

    a good pair of forceps
    a pencil
    good eyesight
    something that will drop individual drops of water (sriracha bottle)

    you want the seedlings to be almost dry, so the soil is crumbly. delicately rake the open forceps through the soil to bring up the ridiculously long tap root - finer than a hair, about 3 inches long. use the pencil to make a 4" hole in the new soil. grasp the seedling by the end of the taproot and pull it down into the hole, the collapse the hole. drop a few drops of water around the seedling. repeat.

    when you are done, mist or shower the seedlings as gently as possible, but get a good soak in. i was chasing daylight as i finished, so they get the cool night in to recover.

    back tomorrow with the casualty count.
     
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  3. seawitch

    seawitch New Seed

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    You're very brave. I grow a lot of poppies, and they're notorious for not liking to be moved. I hope you don't mind if I make a suggestion. If you absolutely can't sow them in place, then I would sow them in either little peat pots or (clean) eggshells, then when it's time to plant them just pierce the bottoms and plant the whole thing.
     
  4. tantric

    tantric New Seed

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    it worked fine - about 90% survival. mind you, i carefully pulled up every taproot and replanted it one by one, with three drops of water, then kept it misted for two days, but they're off and growing now.
     
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  5. tantric

    tantric New Seed

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    the thing is, everywhere else i planted them was a dud - this is all i have.
     

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