I have poppy seeds and didn't winter sow because I kept seeing 'they don't transplant well'. Has anyone tried it successfully? Anyway, direct sowing is a disaster for me. I step on spots where I've sown. So I thought, I have a bazillian sour cream and large yogurt containers I use for making seedling labels. What if I cut the circular tops off the containers, keeping the sides at a depth of just two inches or so, stuck them in the ground and sowed within the circle? Gives me a visual so I know where I sowed and hopefully I wouldn't step on the seeds. Do you think this would work? Hey, we need a smilie scratching his head!

Here is an article I've done for transplanting plants that don't like their roots disturbed. Since I've been using this method have never lost a plant. I also make templates for plants going into the ground.

http://garden.org/ideas/view/X...

What a great idea! Definitely will be using that!

You're welcome!

I have wintersown poppies in jugs and transplanted, no problem. The trick is you have to transplant them when they're really tiny, like one or two true leaves. You have to do it before the taproot is well formed. If you're weather is still cold, no problem. Poppies love the cold weather.

Poppies From 2006





Karen

It is a great idea, though a little bit of a process. To make it a little more simple, here's what I do. I buy those screened pencil cups at the Dollar Store and place them over the planted seeds, open side down of course. I'll bury the cups about an inch to keep them in place. I'll also place the tag inside the cup so it won't go anywhere. This idea will also keep the seeds (and seedlings) from being disturbed by critters like squirrels and such. When the seedlings begin to outgrow the protected space, time to remove the cup.

Kqcrna, thank you! Wow, those are beautiful. Our temps right now are high 70s in afternoon, falling to mid 40s early hours. Too hot already? What are the approximate temps you set out your poppies?

RockGardener, thanks for such a great idea! I hope nobody needs pencil holders right now, because there may be a shortage in the valley!

I want to give a big shout-out of thanks to all who have posted here. I just went through every thread in this forum. There is so much you've shared, so much knowledge, so many great ideas, and everyone is so friendly! Thanks for helping all of us who are learning how to grow from seed.

That's why we are all here .. to learn from each other!

I'm not sure about the temps, it was so long ago. I haven't grown them in years. But mine did better in cooler weather, so if you're going to sow them, I'd recommend you waste no time.

We're delighted to have you, Bonnie!

Karen

yes I would get moving if you are going to sow them.. but I transplanted from a milk jug to cow pots.. made sure I put lots of perlite so the soil would stay loose and it would be easy to separate them.. did I have some losses ... yes.. but enough survived that I had some to give to friends and plant what I wanted

I have used plastic colanders to cover outdoor sowings,
but the pencil holders would allow more light.
I anchor the colander with a garden staple so critters don't move them.