{"product_id":"red-california-poppy-seeds-500-seeds","title":"California Poppy Seeds for Planting","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalifornia Poppy Seeds for Planting (Eschscholzia californica)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e produce brilliant, cup-shaped flowers held above finely divided, blue-green foliage. The classic wild form blooms in vivid golden orange, although cultivated varieties may also appear in yellow, cream, pink, red, or mixed shades. California Poppies are drought-tolerant wildflowers that thrive in sunny, dry locations and poor soil, making them excellent for borders, rock gardens, pollinator gardens, wildflower meadows, containers, and naturalized landscapes. They are usually grown as cool-season annuals but may behave as short-lived perennials in warm USDA Zones 8–10.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlanting Season\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBest planted in: Fall or Early Spring (Cool-Season Flower)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn mild-winter climates, sow seeds directly outdoors during fall or early winter so seasonal rainfall can support germination and spring flowering.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn colder climates, sow in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, approximately two to four weeks before the final expected frost. California Poppies perform best during cool-to-mild weather and may become dormant when summer temperatures become extremely hot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow to Grow California Poppy Seeds\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDirect sowing outdoors is strongly recommended because California Poppies develop long taproots and generally do not tolerate transplanting or root disturbance well.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChoose a location receiving at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. California Poppies do not perform well in deep shade.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrow in loose, sandy, rocky, or average garden soil with excellent drainage. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soil or planting areas where water remains after rainfall.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRemove weeds and lightly loosen the upper surface of the soil before sowing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScatter seeds thinly over the prepared soil or mix the tiny seeds with coarse sand to distribute them more evenly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePress the seeds gently into the soil and rake them in very lightly. Cover with no more than approximately ⅛ inch of soil. Seeds buried deeper than ¼ inch may germinate poorly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeep the soil surface lightly and consistently moist until seedlings emerge. Use a gentle mist or soft spray to avoid washing away the tiny seeds.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeeds typically germinate within approximately 7–14 days under suitable cool, moist conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThin established seedlings to approximately 6–10 inches apart to improve airflow and allow each plant enough room to develop.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor a natural wildflower display, seeds may be broadcast over a larger prepared area and allowed to grow in informal clusters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid moving established seedlings because disturbing their taproots may stunt or kill the plants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow to Care for California Poppy Plants\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater young plants regularly until their roots become established. Keep the soil slightly moist but never saturated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnce established, California Poppies are highly drought-tolerant and normally require little supplemental irrigation. Excessive watering may cause weak growth, root problems, and fewer flowers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater near the base of the plants and allow the soil to dry between waterings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFertilizer is usually unnecessary. California Poppies grow and flower well in poor-to-average soil, while excessive nutrients may encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid applying thick mulch directly over the planting area because seedlings establish best when seeds have good contact with lightly exposed soil.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRemove weeds carefully while plants are young, taking care not to damage their taproots.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeadhead faded flowers regularly to encourage additional blooming and prevent excessive self-seeding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeave some mature seed pods on the plants when natural reseeding is desired. The dry pods split open and scatter seeds that may produce new plants during the following cool season.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvide good spacing and airflow in humid climates to reduce the risk of powdery mildew and other fungal problems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlants may slow down or become dormant during extremely hot summer weather. In mild climates, they may produce new growth and flowers after cooler conditions return.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalifornia Poppies generally begin flowering approximately 55–90 days after sowing, depending on planting season, temperature, moisture, and growing conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalifornia Poppies are primarily ornamental flowers and should not be confused with culinary or opium poppies from the genus \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePapaver\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Srk Garden","offers":[{"title":"2000 Single Poppy Seed Mix","offer_id":50323456885093,"sku":"F092","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500 Red Poppy Seeds","offer_id":50323456917861,"sku":"F124","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250 Carmine King  Seeds","offer_id":50323456950629,"sku":"F121","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250 Orange Poppy Seeds","offer_id":50323456983397,"sku":"F123","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250 Ivory Castle Seeds","offer_id":50323457016165,"sku":"F125","price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0887\/7627\/8373\/files\/1_6700940b-bd0c-4d12-8db1-e319a1c4cb98.png?v=1787648376","url":"https:\/\/handycove.com\/products\/red-california-poppy-seeds-500-seeds","provider":"Handycove","version":"1.0","type":"link"}