How to grow colorful Poppy flowers from seed

Poppy seeds are quite small. Handle them carefully to avoid them blowing away or being washed away. Mix seeds with sand or fine potting mix prior to sowing or use a seed dispenser damp toothpick or tweezers to help space them evenly. Press lightly into the surface after sowing so that the seeds make good contact with the soil. Take extra care to make sure seeds and seedlings dont dry out. Read more about sowing small seeds here How to Grow PoppiesPoppy plants may need watering during the growing season. Water when the soil is dry about 5cm below the surface test this by scratching away a little soil with your finger. Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves of plants to avoid fungal diseases. Learn more about watering here If soil was well prepared no extra fertiliser should be necessary. In poor soil or to give your plants an extra boost application of a highpotassium fertiliser or one formulated for flowering plants can be beneficial
Apply slow release fertiliser at the recommended rate when transplanting or when seedlings are 510cm tall.
Apply liquid fertiliser at the recommended rate and frequency while plants are fruiting or flowering.