Peshawar Poppy

Papaver somniferum## HOW TO GROW POPPY Direct sow in the spring after the ground thaws, or after the last hard freeze. They can tolerate light frost. The seeds are tiny, so sprinkle carefully over the garden bed, and do not cover with soil, as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil moist during germination. Thin the young poppy plants 9-12” apart. They prefer full sun. Poppies easily self sow if allowed to go to seed. Poppies are delicate and do not transplant easily. Best if direct sown. Planting Depth surface requires light Soil Temp. Germ. 55-60 Days to Germ. 7-14 Plant Spacing 1-2’ Row Spacing 1-2’ Days To Maturity 90 Storage Refrigerate Full Sun, Moist Well Drained Soil ##This huge, pure white-flowered poppy cultivar comes from Persia. The poppy pods get very large and the little 'doors' underneath the crown stay closed even upon maturity, so the dried pods make good rattles, as the uniquely white seeds will stay inside. This plant’s traditional usage was medicinal as an analgesic. Tags: Harvest: Mid, Color: White, Size: Medium, Specialty: Cool Climate, Season: Spring, Summer. The origins of poppies can be traced to the Sumerian people where the first use of opium was recognized. Through the silk road, poppies made their way around the world. They were domesticated by indigenous peoples of Western and Central Europe between 6000 and 3500 BC. In Ancient Egypt, small jugs that resemble poppy seed pods were discovered containing trace amounts of opium, dated 1550-1292 BC. Representations of the flower also appeared in Egypt on jewelry and art pieces. In the early 1990s, poppy cultivation was eradicated in some parts of the world due to concern over opium use. Since then, the War on Drugs and the subsequent opiate epidemic has become a worldwide issue. The short-lived yet delicately beautiful poppy flower holds a dark legacy.