This particular plant is vigorous and
they are often grown in vacant lots and roadsides with no tending. California
poppy is a fast growing annual and they are at their peak in the spring,
although they can bloom for gardeners in areas with cool summers for a longer
period.
This plant cheerful flowers can
really spring up overnight, blanketing large areas with bright pink, orange or
gold silky petals. You can grow this plant in abundance to fill gaps in your
spring flowerbeds, untended wildflower meadows, or containers.
Basic information about
California poppy
The common name: The common name is california
poppy.
The botanical name: The botanical name
is Eschscholzia californica.
The plant type: Annual.
The mature size: The mature size is
about 12 inches.
The sun exposure: The plant needs full
sun.
The soil type: An average to poor
soil.
The soil pH: The soil pH is between 6.6
to 7.5.
The bloom time: The Bloom time is spring.
The flower color: The flower color is
yellow, orange, white, pink.
The native area: The plant is native
to Western United States.
How to care for
California Poppies
California poppies are like most
native wildflowers that are easy to care for and maintain. One of the major key
is providing them with growing conditions that mimic their native habitat. From
my little experience about this plant it is more about what you don't give them
than what you do give them. Everything about the plant is less: less soil
nutrition, less water, and less warmth. Make sure you don't coddle your
California poppies, and you will really have the pleasure of watching them
self-sow and pop up in the most unexpected places for many growing seasons to
come.
The light requirement
This plant actually requires a day of
full sunlight to bloom and to maintain plant vigor. 6 hours of unfiltered
sunlight is really essential for the poppy growth, and even more is better. If
the plant is grown in shady spots it will look ratty and succumb to fungal
diseases.
The soil requirement
Actually the ability of the plant to
grow in areas with poor soil gives them an edge on survival. Rocky soils and sandy
soils both provide good conditions for California poppies. What does not
actually work are heavy clay soils. This plant need great drainage for their
tap roots, which means if your soil is clay you can try raised beds or
container culture.
The watering of plant
This plant actually requires very
little water, and they are good candidates for drought tolerant xeriscapes.
Sporadic spring rainfall is actually adequate to irrigate the plants. In areas
with hot summers the plants will often go dormant and they need no additional
irrigation during this time.
Fertilizer requirement
Actually fertilizer is not really necessary
to successfully grow California poppies even in areas with a poor soil. From my
little experience the addition of chemical fertilizers will cause excess
foliage growth at the expense of blooms.
Pest and disease
control
This plant can really suffer from
several diseases if they are grown in an environment that experiences excessive
rain. Mildew, mold, and stem rot can really occur in plants grown in wet areas.
But you can treat the plants with anti-fungal agents. One of the best treatments
is prevention by planting in full sun and also in a sharply draining soil to
keep the poppies dry.
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