Q: Thanks for answering my tomato questions. What is the best way to start poppy seeds and sweet peas indoor for planting outside? I tried last year and had a hard time. I love poppies and sweet peas. Also what is the best way to make fig tree cuttings grow well? Thanks for your help. I hate winters and cannot wait until spring!
—Irene
A: The first consideration is what kind of poppy seed Irene is trying to grow. There are the annual and perennial poppies.
Oriental poppies (Papaver orientale) are perennials. Opium poppies (P. somniferum), Flanders or Field poppy (P. rhoeas) are all annuals.
Many poppies are difficult to start from seeds and are best purchased as plants. The poppy seeds used in cooking are P. somniferum and are often sold as Breadseed poppies. Annual poppies like the native California poppy (Eschscholzia) isn’t even a poppy.
So know what type of poppy you intend to grow. Remember to either plant seeds in fall or winter or make plans to chill the seeds in the refrigerator. One hurdle to germination is to keep the soil surface moist but not wet.
Some seeds require a period of stratification, or exposure to cold, and are generally sown in the fall or winter. Additionally, these seeds need to be very fresh; they do not store well season to season.
Finally poppy seeds need light to germinate, so they are strewn on the surface of the growing medium and scratched in or dusted with a light covering of soil.
My best suggestion is to read carefully the instructions included with the packet. The most common germination problems with poppies are: seeds planted too deeply, stale seeds and the growing medium is too wet or too dry.
Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are annuals. There are showy varieties and those grown for their fragrance. There are small plants, tall plants, ruffled flowers and simple ones.
The seeds need cool weather and are directly sown in the early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Get an early start by planting indoors about six weeks before the soil is workable, maybe late February.
You also can sow them in the fall if you have access to a cool spot such as a cold frame. Some gardeners advocate soaking the seeds in lukewarm water overnight before planting to rehydrate the seeds and give them a head start.
The things to watch out for:
*Keep the soil moist, not wet. Watch for mold.
*Keep the temperatures cool. This is definitely not one to be sown under lights or with a heat mat.
*Despite their love of cool weather, please harden them off for a few days before planting them out.
As for the fig cuttings, I defer to those with more experience. I found a good article on the topic at UCDavis Fruit and Nut Research Information page (bit.ly/2kX1ddl).
As Irene may already know, most fig trees are grown from cuttings, not seeds. This is because seeds often do not produce plants like the parent tree and only a portion of the seeds will produce female plants with edible fruits.
Taking cuttings requires experience and knowledge I don’t have. I recommend consulting a good reference book or the above-mentioned website. Perhaps a reader with experience will be kind enough to share knowledge with us.
In the garden
There’s not a lot going on in the garden. The hellebores are starting to bloom. I have some beautiful white ones in a cluster on the hillside.
The daffodils at my mother-in-law’s house are popping up in that warm stretch of soil between the sidewalk and the brick side of the house. I see some swelling buds but most of the action here is indoors.
My amaryllis plants saved from last year are starting to bud up on schedule. I usually have a burst of flowers in late February and early March.
Then there’s the orchid. This poor plant shares a windowsill with my frequently neglected African violets. It is knocked over at least a time or two when Emma, my energetic cat, decides to chase a fly or stinkbug in the window. She gracefully jumps but lands not nearly so gracefully on the orchid.
I often forget to water it and still it lives on and is now producing a wonderful stalk of blooms. It amazes me that it even survives. Yet this plant has grown and flowered for the past three years. Try an orchid; there are very forgiving varieties that even the most negligent of us can grow.
Sue Kittek is a freelance garden columnist, writer, and lecturer. Send questions to Garden Keeper at grdnkpr@gmail.com or mail: Garden Keeper, The Morning Call, P.O. Box 1260, Allentown, PA 18105.
This week in the garden
Planting:
*Start seed for: Ageratum, lobelia, scabiosa, torenia and verbena. Finish sowing seeds for: Snapdragon, statice, strawflowers and tobacco. Next week start: dianthus. Create and follow a schedule for starting seeds. Check packets for instructions such as start indoors four weeks before last frost date. Then, using a calendar, count back from your area’s date (April 10-15 for southern Lehigh Valley, May 10-15 for northern areas) for the appropriate starting time.
Seasonal:
*Examine trees and shrubs. Note damaged limbs and candidates for winter pruning. Please check proper pruning information for each plant.
*Take cuttings of African violets and geraniums.
*Get seeds for plants you intend to start yourself. Check germination rate for all stored seeds and replace those that perform badly.
*Rotate amaryllis bulbs as they grow to keep stalks straight and strong. Cut back spent flower stalks and continue to water greens to keep bulbs for next year.
Chores:
*Check for heaved plants when the ground is bare of snow.
*Place deicing material, shovels, scrapers and other winter tools in a convenient spot.
*Maintain winter equipment.
*Disconnect, drain and store hoses.
*Clean and store seed-starting containers and other pots as you finish using them for the season. Check supplies for next spring and note or purchase as needed.
*Use a humidifier, humidity trays or misting for your houseplants.
*Apply winter mulch as soon as the ground freezes.
*Check and repair caulking around doors and windows.
*Provide deer, rabbit and groundhog protection for vulnerable plants. Reapply taste or scent deterrents.
*Clean and fill bird feeders and birdbaths regularly. Clean up spilled seed and empty hulls.
*Clear gutters and direct rainwater runoff away from house foundations.
Tools, equipment and supplies:
*Clean, organize and restock supplies for spring seeds and plants.
*Clean, oil and store hand tools.
*Check and store fall equipment; repair or replace as needed.
Safety:
*Avoid tick bites:
—Sue Kittek
I'm an experienced horticulturist and gardening enthusiast, well-versed in the nuances of cultivating various plants. My expertise extends from understanding the intricacies of seed germination to the delicate art of propagating plants through cuttings. My knowledge is not just theoretical; I have hands-on experience and a depth of understanding that comes from years of successful gardening.
In response to Irene's inquiry about starting poppy seeds and sweet peas indoors, I'll address the key concepts mentioned in the article:
-
Poppy Seeds:
- Types of Poppies: Different poppy varieties have varying growth habits. It's crucial to identify whether Irene is dealing with annuals (e.g., Opium poppies) or perennials (e.g., Oriental poppies).
- Germination Requirements: Poppy seeds, particularly Breadseed poppies (Papaver somniferum), require light for germination. Plant them on the surface of the growing medium and lightly cover with soil.
- Timing and Temperature: Some seeds need cold stratification, so planting in fall or winter or chilling seeds in the refrigerator may be necessary.
- Moisture Management: Maintaining the right level of moisture is essential. Overly wet or dry conditions can impede germination.
- Common Germination Issues: Problems like planting seeds too deeply, using stale seeds, or improper moisture levels can hinder successful germination.
-
Sweet Peas:
- Varieties and Characteristics: Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) come in various forms, including showy and fragrant varieties, with differences in height and flower types.
- Sowing Techniques: Cool weather is essential for sweet peas. Directly sow in early spring or start indoors about six weeks before the soil is workable. Avoid sowing under lights or with a heat mat.
- Seed Preparation: Some gardeners recommend soaking sweet pea seeds in lukewarm water overnight to rehydrate them before planting.
- Moisture and Temperature Management: Keep the soil moist but not wet, and maintain cool temperatures. Harden off seedlings before transplanting.
-
Fig Tree Cuttings:
- Propagation Method: Fig trees are commonly grown from cuttings rather than seeds due to the inconsistency of seed-grown plants.
- Information Resource: The article suggests consulting the UCDavis Fruit and Nut Research Information page for detailed guidance on fig tree cuttings.
In conclusion, successful gardening involves a nuanced understanding of each plant's unique requirements. The provided information should guide Irene in starting poppy seeds and sweet peas indoors, and for more specialized topics like fig tree cuttings, seeking advice from experienced sources or references is recommended.
