Poppy, Peshawar (Papaver somniferum var. album) packet of 300 seeds, organic
$4.95
Family: Poppy (Papaveraceae)
Generally fall-sown in Zones 6 to 9 and spring-sown in colder zones
Cultivar from Persia flowers early and makes large pods. Traditional usage (TWM): analgesic. Spread seed on fast-draining soil in fall or very early spring. For best results, plan the planting of poppies so that they germinate and grow during cool, moist weather and flower and make seed during hot, dry weather. It takes some years of experimentation to figure out how to do this in the various temperate zones. Those in southern Oregon strew the seed with the first fall rains and finish seed harvest in June. Germination times confirmed in 2021: outdoor planting in late September germinated in 8 days. Plant prefers full sun and well-rested yet nitrogenous, fast-draining soil of neutral pH. Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart.
Packet contains 300 seeds
Certified Organically Grown
In stock
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Simon Vermette –
I’d already purchased those seeds. Been 100% satisfied. Germination rate is quite accurate.
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Question
JC (verified owner) –
Greetings, I am in zone 9A Arizona and have 10 seedlings that were germinated in Jiffy pellets in an air conditioned room on a window facing south. I transferred them into big pots last week and I am waiting for early Sept.for the temps to fall below Hades levels to transfer them outdoors. Was hoping that they will grow and thrive better in the cooler fall temps before December frost. They are now 7 weeks old and in lettuce looking stage..Can my plan work? I also intend to sow out doors in a protected raised bed in Sept or Oct to see how they do..
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Richo Cech –
Hello JC, You can figure the Peshawar Poppies will take about 4 months from germination to flowers. It sounds like you are doing a careful job and that you have a good chance to bring this off. I always used to say poppies simply must be direct-seeded but after a winter of playing with them in potted culture I’ve changed my tune. I think the main thing is to make sure they don’t bolt in the pot. richo
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Question
robygobeil –
Hi Richo, is this flowering the first or second year? We live in zone 4b in Quebec.
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Admin Richo Cech –
This is for all practical purposes planted as an annual for you. They are quick to flower and do not perennialize.
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sussanmercurio01 –
I live in Zone 4b in Minnesota, so this was helpful.
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Question
robygobeil –
Hi Richo, do you think it can be a perennial in zone 4?
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Admin Richo Cech –
No, Peshawar poppy is an overwintering annual or standard annual, not a perennial.
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Question
Ryan –
How do you know when the seed is mature and ready to harvest?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Ryan, Thanks for getting in touch. One knows by long association with the plant–the capitula dries and the seed inside rattles–then it is ready to harvest. Read “the medicinal herb grower” for more information on all of this. Richo
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Allegra –
This is positively the most robust, towering, aggressive poppy I’ve ever grown. I grow Somniferum poppies every year and I grew these Peshawars for the first time this year. I foolishly planted them with Zahirs thinking the combination of white and purple would be beautiful. All that happened was that the Peshawar poppies raced heavenwards while the Zahir poppies (being more sedate and restrained) stopped growing at about 10 inches and just sulked. The Peshawar poppies bloomed profusely (and these flowers redefine the color white) and after the plants were finished flowering I cut them out. At that point the Zahir poppies took over and are now growing and blooming normally. Give the Peshawar poppies a fair amount of space to themselves and they won’t disappoint — they were lush, 4 feet tall, with multiple blooms per plant — very dramatic in the spring garden. The tissue-delicate flowers belie the hardiness of poppies in general. A splendid addition to my spring garden and one I’ll be planting again.
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Sharon –
How many plants do I need to save seeds from to avoid inbreeding depression?
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Richo Cech –
Hi there Sharon, thank you for the thoughtful question. The more I do this the more I think that large populations are important for the purpose of genetic diversity as well as discouraging cross-pollination. As you say inbreeding depression can be an issue as well and may cause seed quality to deteriorate. However they are multi-headed which helps. Maybe 20. Richo
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