Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions2023-04-19T22:02:18+00:00

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We’ve got all kinds of tips & resources to share! With several decades of experience planting, growing, & harvesting the most beautiful poppies up our sleeves, we’re honored to help you do the same.

Where can I get the fertilizer?2023-03-20T22:30:40+00:00

You can buy these fertilizers at your local garden or home improvement store.

What does thinning out the plants do?2023-03-20T22:30:57+00:00

If you thin out the plants, the remaining plants will fill out more and produce more seed pods per plant.

When should I collect the seeds?2023-03-20T22:30:22+00:00

After the seed vents on the pods have opened, this is the time to collect the seeds for cooking. Save the seeds from the biggest pods for the Fall planting.

When do the seed pods grow?2023-03-20T22:30:30+00:00

After the flower petals have dropped off, the plant uses all its remaining energy to reproduce. The seed pods will grow fat with seeds and eventually the seed vents will open to reseed themselves.

Do you guarantee delivery?2023-03-20T22:29:07+00:00

The seeds are sent out within one to three business days of ordering and delivery is guaranteed. If you do not receive your seeds, simply email me and I will resend them once the address is confirmed.

Is it legal to grow Papaver Somniferum poppy plants?2023-03-20T22:29:51+00:00

It may be illegal to grow these poppies in your area. Check your local laws.

Do you guarantee that the seeds will grow?2023-03-20T22:29:14+00:00

If the growing instructions are followed, the seeds will grow. There are no guarantees, however, as I have no control over the preparations.

How long has the owner of Optimum Poppy Seeds been selling Papaver Sominferum Poppy Seeds?2023-03-20T22:29:20+00:00

Over 20 years. The owner’s husband began selling the seeds back in 1999. The owner, Julie, has been selling the seeds since her husband Pat passed away in 2005.

What type of fertilizer works best?2023-03-20T22:30:48+00:00

Alaskan fish fertilizer works well for the organic gardener. Miracle Grow, a common vegetable fertilizer has been known to work well. Be sure to follow the directions! If possible, a slow release or times released fertilizer will be ideal since they do not release until the temperature reaches the mid to high seventies, by which time they will be the ideal height.  This type of fertilizer lasts for three months, which is just the right time for nitrogen levels to taper off, thus promoting flowering.

How long does it take for the seeds to sprout?2023-03-20T22:31:06+00:00

The seeds should sprout within 7 to 25 days, depending on weather conditions.

What will the fertilizer do?2023-03-20T22:30:44+00:00

A slow-release fertilizer will promote flowering, increasing the number of flowers and of course, seed pods per plant, even if you do not thin as much.

Should the plants be thinned out and if so, when?2023-03-20T22:31:01+00:00

Some folks like to thin the plants to between eight to ten inches apart when the seedlings reach a height of five to six inches.

Is it illegal to harvest the raw opium sap from Papaver Somniferum poppy plants?2023-03-20T22:29:44+00:00

Yes. These seeds are being sold to you strictly for the beautification and the decorative and cooking aspects of them.

Can the seeds be used in cooking?2023-03-20T22:30:03+00:00

Yes! For cooking, the seeds are a pantry necessity. Everything from poppy seed cake and muffins to an ingredient in herbal butters and as a decorative topping on biscuits and for making a great poppy seed dressing. Many recipes can be discovered online if you take the time to search for them.

When should I plant my poppies?2023-04-11T20:22:06+00:00

The best two times of the year for planting poppy seeds are the Spring and the Fall. Poppies are a very hardy plant and they like the cold. For Spring planting, plant your seeds just after the last snow has fallen. If it doesn’t snow where you live, plant the seeds in the middle of February.

How long will the flowers last?2023-03-20T22:30:34+00:00

The flowers will last from three to eight days, then the flower petals will drop off.

When should I fertilize my plants?2023-03-20T22:30:53+00:00

When the plants are about 10 inches tall, start to fertilize with a liquid fertilizer. Fertilize and water on a regular basis until you see the seed pods start to form.

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