Oriental poppies are one of the most beautiful perennials you can grow. Their frilly, bright red, pink, white, and orange flowers stand out. It can be pricey to buy these hardy plants, but they look great in borders and cottage gardens. You can easily and cheaply grow more oriental poppies by taking root cuttings and planting them in new areas.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about propagating oriental poppies at home. Read on for tips, step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting if you run into any issues along the way With a bit of patience and TLC, you’ll have beautiful new poppies to brighten up your garden in no time!
Why Propagate Oriental Poppies?
There are several great reasons to propagate your own oriental poppies:
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Save money. Purchasing potted poppies from nurseries can get expensive. Growing from root cuttings lets you increase your plantings for free.
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Spread your favorite types of oriental poppies by spreading the seeds of the ones you already have. This way, you can grow more of those beautiful colors and shapes.
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When you grow your own poppies, you can put them exactly where you want new plants to grow in beds or borders.
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Share with others. Having success growing oriental poppies from root cuttings means you’ll have extras to give friends and family.
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Learn a new skill. Propagating perennials is hugely rewarding. Oriental poppies are a great easy plant for beginners to start with.
When to Take Oriental Poppy Root Cuttings
Timing is important when collecting root cuttings from your oriental poppies:
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A few weeks after plants finish flowering in early fall is the best time. Even though the plants are still moving, their growth is slowing down for the winter.
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Early spring using roots from dormant plants is also possible but may be slower to root.
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Midsummer is too early. Wait until flowers fade completely so plants can recover strength.
Choosing a Parent Plant
Select a robust, established oriental poppy to take your root cuttings from. Avoid using plants that are:
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Diseased or pest-infested
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Stressed from drought or poor soil
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Planted in the same spot less than 2-3 years
This ensures the strongest cuttings that root quickly and grow vigorously.
How to Take Oriental Poppy Root Cuttings
Follow these steps for collecting root cuttings:
Gather Supplies
- Sharp knife or pruners
- Plastic bags or trays
- Sterilizing solution
- Labels (if taking from multiple plants)
Prepare Parent Plant
- Water soil 1-2 days before so digging is easier
- Loosen soil around plant with shovel or hands
Select and Cut Roots
- Find smooth, plump roots free of damage
- Cut roots into 2-3 inch segments
- Place in single layer in trays or bags
- Label with plant name if desired
Transport and Store
- Avoid letting cuttings dry out
- Plant cuttings as soon as possible
Taking cuttings is quick and easy with practice. Now it’s time to root your new oriental poppy babies!
How to Root and Grow Oriental Poppy Root Cuttings
Rooting oriental poppy cuttings and caring for new seedlings takes patience. Follow best practices and your success rate will be high:
Prepare for Planting
- Make fresh cut ends if ragged
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone (optional)
Plant Root Cuttings
- Plant upright in sterile media 2-3 inches deep
- Perlite, vermiculite or seed starting mix work well
- Gently firm soil around each cutting
Provide Ideal Rooting Conditions
- Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
- Warm temperature around 70°F
- Bright indirect light or south window
Wait for New Growth
- Be patient! Rooting takes 4-8 weeks
- New shoots signal roots are forming
- Let cuttings root thoroughly before exposing to dry air
Transplant Successfully
- Harden off young plants
- Transplant to garden in spring
- Water consistently and avoid transplant shock
Follow these tips and you should see 70-90% of your oriental poppy root cuttings root and grow into vigorous blooming plants.
Troubleshooting Propagation Problems
Don’t panic if you notice any issues during the rooting or transplant process:
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Rotting stems – Too much moisture, improve drainage and air flow
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Failure to root – Old or damaged roots, select younger/healthier next time
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Leggy growth – Not enough light, supplement with grow lights
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Transplant shock – Harden off and acclimate better before planting out
Adjust your care and technique until you get it right. Learning from little failures is all part of the propagation journey!
Enjoying the Rewards of Growing Oriental Poppies from Cuttings
Starting oriental poppies from root cuttings requires diligence but it’s incredibly rewarding. Just a few cuttings can yield many beautiful new plants in 2 years time.
You’ll save money, propagate beloved plant varieties and have extras to share. And you’ll hone your propagation skills attempting an easy perennial like these poppies.
Expanding your oriental poppy collection through root cuttings might become your new favorite garden activity! Just be prepared to spend more time staking their tall stems once your new plants start thriving and flowering.
Where to buy poppies online
Annual poppies are easy to care for. The plants don’t need to be staked or groomed; just let them flower and seed as a wildflower show. Once flowers have faded and seeds released, pull up the parent plants and place them on the compost heap. It’s a good idea to shake the plants over the site before removing, to release any stubborn seed.
Oriental poppies hold their large flowers on strong hairy stems. To keep them standing, they might need support. Put this over the pile of leaves before the flower stems show up. A poppy flower will last for about 10 days but plants will have a second flush of flowers if they’re cut back. It’s a good idea to prevent oriental poppies from setting seed, as this will reduce the amount of energy the plant has to produce more flowers.
Himalayan poppies also need staking and deadheading.
Cut back plants to ground level in autumn and mulch with compost, leaf mould or bark chippings in autumn or spring.
Advice for buying poppies
- There are different kinds of poppies that come in different forms. For example, oriental poppies can only be bought as plants, but field and opium poppies can be grown from seeds.
- Make sure you have enough room to grow the right kind of poppy.
- Before you plant your poppy plants, make sure they are healthy and that there are no signs of pests on them.
Propagating Oriental Poppies – How and When
FAQ
How do you divide oriental poppies?
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1. Dig up the clump:Use a shovel or pitchfork to carefully dig up the entire plant clump, ensuring you get below the deep taproot. If the soil is dry, water the base of the plant before digging to make it easier.
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2. Divide the clump:Using a sharp knife or spade, cut vertically through the root mass to create sections. Each section should have at least one or more eyes (buds) plus some taproot and stem.
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3. Plant the sections:Replant the divided sections in a new location with well-draining soil and ample sunlight. Plant them at the same depth as they were before, with the tops about 3 inches (8 cm) below the soil line.
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4. Water and maintain moisture:Water the newly planted sections thoroughly and keep them consistently moist, especially during the first few weeks after planting.
When to propagate poppies?
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Sowing Seeds:
- Fall Sowing: Sow poppy seeds in the fall (after the soil has cooled) to take advantage of natural freeze and thaw cycles, which aids germination.
- Spring Sowing: Sow seeds in early spring, several weeks before the last frost.
- Direct Sow: Poppies prefer to be direct-sown rather than transplanted, and they need light to germinate, so avoid covering the seeds with soil.
- Fall Sowing: Sow poppy seeds in the fall (after the soil has cooled) to take advantage of natural freeze and thaw cycles, which aids germination.
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Division (for Oriental Poppies):
- Late Summer: Divide oriental poppies in late summer, after they have bloomed and become dormant.
- Taproot: Be mindful of the plant’s deep taproot, as it can make division challenging.
- Root Cuttings: You can also propagate from root cuttings, taken in late fall or early winter, says Melinda Myers.
- Late Summer: Divide oriental poppies in late summer, after they have bloomed and become dormant.
Can you take cuttings from oriental poppies?
A range of herbaceous plants can be propagated from root cuttings. These include Acanthus, Anemone hupehensis, A. x hybrida, Echinops, Papaver orientale (oriental poppy), Phlox, Primula denticulata and Verbascum.
Can you save the seeds from oriental poppies?
After poppies bloom in spring, seed pods will form. Let the pods dry in place on the plant. Clip the dry pods, and place them in a paper bag. Store in a cool, dry place over summer.
How long does it take for oriental poppy seeds to germinate?
Oriental poppy seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days. After germination, reduce the number of seedlings to one per pot when they are about one inch (2. 5 cm. ) tall by pinching off the unwanted plants.
How easy is it to propagate Oriental Poppies?
Oriental poppies are easy to propagate by taking root cuttings. They are perfect for this method because it takes advantage of the plant’s ability to grow new roots from any pieces of root that are left over when plants are moved. Oriental poppies are a stunning addition to a border.
Why are Oriental poppies good for propagation?
Oriental poppies are good for propagation because they can use the plant’s natural tendency to make more plants from the tiny pieces of root that are left over when plants are moved.
How many Oriental poppies should I grow?
Discover 10 oriental poppies to grow. They are perfect for this method of propagation because it takes advantage of the plant’s tendency to grow new roots from any pieces of root that are left over when plants are moved.
How do you take root cuttings from Oriental Poppies?
To propagate Oriental Poppies from root cuttings, first lift a clump of the plant or scrape away the soil around the roots. Then, trim off a good section of the roots with a knife and cut it into short lengths (around 2.5cm). Finally, push these vertically into a seed tray filled with compost, thick end up.
When should you transplant Oriental Poppies?
If you must transplant Oriental Poppies, try to do so only in the fall. Transplanting at this time allows the plants to establish before winter and resume growth in spring. You can plant nursery-grown oriental poppy plants in early spring or summer.