Question
Hi Tom,
My question is about Poppy's. I am more than an adequate gardener, nowhere near a master gardener. I have however rooted unusual plants for pots. Example: a Filbert or Hazelnut tree. But I can't seem to grow Poppy's at all. I grew up in aspen co. and they were easy to grow. I now live in Lubbock Texas (zone 7) and have no luck at all. Advice would be greatly appreciated! t   dede

Answer
Hi dd,
Thanx for your question.  I would try to grow the standard oriental poppy if I were you.  The best way to do this is to prepare a site in full sun in the autumn before the first frost.  Clear the site of weeds and grass and prepare a nursery bed.  This is just clearing the site and mixing in some well-composted cow manure and watering it down.  Next, sprinkle the seed of Papaver orientalis (Oriental Poppy) which are commonly found at Walmart, nurseries and Big Box DIYs or you can order them on line.  If you know someone who has poppies, ask them if you can dig up some of the roots.  I have my poppies from my mom's place and I just dug up pieces of the root and planted those and have lovely, large, orange poppies every Spring.  Anyway, you sprinkle the seeds on the cleared site and leave them there over winter.  You should have a number of seedlings in the spring.  Keep the site clear of weeds and grass and eventually, the poppies will develop leaves.  They will not bloom the first year as perennials seldom bloom the first year after germination from seed.  The next year, you should have some nice poppies.  Oriental poppies are very hardy and tolerant of heat, drought and cold.  After the poppies bloom, the leaves will disappear as the plant goes dormant in the summer.  I hope this helps.
Tom