Content
- Opium poppy - sowing only with permission
- Obtain approval for the cultivation of opium poppy
- Sow opium poppy and other poppies
- Location and preparation
- Sow poppy seeds
- Tips
The sowing of opium poppy is allowed in Germany only in individual cases
Opium poppy - sowing only with permission
The fine flower of the poppy stalks in early summer already from a distance when the poppy at the edges of the field and field his bright red calyxes in the sun stretches. Also for the garden, there are numerous colorful poppy varieties with filigree flowers, but you can not sow any of them into your garden - opiate-rich species and varieties such as the sleeping or blue poppy (Papaver somniferum) fall under the Narcotics Act in Germany and are therefore subject to approval ,
Earl poppy growing is illegal Next article Opium poppy - harvest in Germany legal?Obtain approval for the cultivation of opium poppy
In principle, unauthorized cultivation of opium poppy can be punished by law for up to five years in prison and / or fines, although in practice this is rarely done - at least for isolated plants in the wild or in the garden. Nevertheless, you should obtain the required approval of the Federal Opium Agency before sowing in order to be on the safe side in case of doubt. However, the permit is chargeable (75, - EUR for private applicants in 2019) and is granted only for a limited time. The application can be completed online.
Sow opium poppy and other poppies
Once you have obtained the required permit, you can distribute the poppy seed directly into the open air between March and April. However, the following instructions for sowing apply not only to the opium poppy, but also to many other poppy species such as poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule) or Turkish poppy (Papaver orientale).
Location and preparation
Poppy prefers a sunny, sheltered location in the garden or in a planter on the balcony. Thoroughly prepare the soil before sowing by digging the area and ripening with mature compost and sand if necessary. Any coarser earth crumbs can be finely crumbled with a rake. Soil cultivation should be done a few days before sowing and the area should rest a bit afterwards.
Sow poppy seeds
Now, on a dry and warm day, you can spread the two to three millimeter poppy seeds directly onto the field. Throw the fine seeds out wide-bred, but then do not cover them or only very thinly with soil - poppy is one of the light germs. Keep the seedbed slightly moist and protect it from birds and weather such as heavy rain. The plants will germinate within eight to ten days.
Tips
You can even seed the seeds in September, then the flower takes place in the following year very early. For a self-sowing, just leave a few flowered plants and ripen their seed pods.