Growing Mecanopsis (Blue Himalayan Poppy) from seed. Any advice?

[Nick_The_Greek]

Hello, I am growing Mecanopsis for the first time this year I have done some reading about their preferences: Wet shade, cool temperatures, slightly alkaline soil, biennial in poor conditions perennial in good etc etc. I would like advice for the early stages of propagation as that is where I usually come unstuck. I have sown them in seed/cutting compost with perlite, direct onto wet pressed compost as I would petunias or any other very small seed then covered with sifted compost then gently pressed and covered with cling film. Does anyone any experience with these plants from seed? I have seen posts about their difficulty and would like to avoid pitfalls.

Nick

[veggiechicken]

Previous threads that may help you
https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ppy_77935.html

https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ers_99379.html

[SarrissUK]

I have seeds for them I think. I've never grown them. I seem to recall they can be tricky to get them to germinate, is that right?

[chillithyme]

I’ve tried twice to grow some from seed and failed twice in getting them to germinate. I placed them indoors on a windowsill,maybe this isn’t the right environment for them and they need to be started somewhere cooler?

[nickdub]

I tried from seed with no joy - then I bought a plant a couple of years ago, saved the seed after it flowered and sowed that - it came up like mustard and cress - must have had well over 100 germinate. So fresh seed from someone who has a plant already sowed the same year, or buy a plant and save the seed as I did, would be my advice.

[Babru]

Look out when you buy one though, if you want seed. A fair number of cultivars are sterile and don't set seed.

[Nick_The_Greek]

If the seed fails I will endeavor to buy a plant, I fear it might be tricky where I live to buy them as we haven't (as far as I know) got any decent local garden centers. Well I live in hope...

[nickdub]

If the seed fails I will endeavor to buy a plant, I fear it might be tricky where I live to buy them as we haven't (as far as I know) got any decent local garden centers. Well I live in hope...

I bought mine mail order - cost was £6 from J. Parker's.

[Snadger]

About a tenner(inclusive of postage) should get you a fertile plant to start.

https://www.ballyrobertgardens.com/p...nt=15676148870

Some of the F1's are sterile and won't set viable seed.

[nickdub]

Just a quick update on the plants I grew from seed and mentioned before. Around 40 or 50 have survived and are starting to regrow this year the largest now being 8" or so across. If any of them do flower I will try to get a photo.

[SarrissUK]

I've just sown 40 seeds of these. It says on the packet to keep them cool at around 10 degrees C and in constant shade. We shall see how that goes!