With its flowers up to 15 cm in size, it outshines the native corn poppy. Its flower colors range from salmon-colored to carmine red, depending on the variety. No wonder if you are interested in the Turkish poppy. But how is it planted?
How to plant and care for Turkish poppies?
The Turkish poppy prefers full sun locations with well-drained, sandy, neutral soil. Propagate it by sowing from April to June, leaving at least 40 cm distance from neighboring plants such as sage, bearded iris or delphinium. Keep the substrate moist during germination.
Which location is suitable?
Full sunny locations are best suited for the Turkish poppy. It likes it warm and finds a suitable home in cottage gardens and wild gardens, among others. Remember not to plant Turkish poppies in the foreground of beds. After flowering, its foliage retreats and then gaps would arise in the bed that cannot be covered up.
Which soil is beneficial for growth?
In addition to the location of the site, the soil there is crucial for the Turkish poppy. The following characteristics benefit its growth and therefore its flowering:
- well drained
- sandy
- neutral pH value
- moderately dry to moist environment
- moderately nutritious
- humos
- deep (taproot)
How is the Turkish poppy propagated?
The easiest way to propagate the Turkish poppy is with its seeds. He is happy to take on this task on his own. He is no stranger to self-sowing. If you want to tackle sowing specifically, you should choose the period between April and June.
The seeds go easily underground. They need light to germinate. The substrate is moistened and kept moist for the next few weeks. The seeds can be grown in pots without any problem. They germinate quickly at a temperature between 18 and 20 °C. It takes an average of 10 to 14 days for the first leaves to appear on the surface.
Next to which plant neighbors does the Turkish poppy look good?
The Turkish poppy looks great not only in its own right, but also alongside other plants. In order not to make later care a challenge, a distance of at least 40 cm should be maintained between the individual plants. The following plant neighbors are suitable:
- Sage
- Bearded Iris
- larkspur
- Daisies
- Dahlias
- Tagetes
Tip
In addition to the red varieties, there are also varieties with white flowers. These come into their own when planted individually in a sea of red varieties.
