00:00Nine gardening tips for growing tons of blooming poppies.
00:04Protect from pests and diseases.
00:07Shield seedlings from slugs using copper barriers, eggshells, or beer traps while managing aphids and preventing mildew by thinning plants and avoiding overhead watering.
00:18Deadhead spent blooms for extended flowering.
00:22Remove fading blooms to redirect energy into new buds, boosting flowering, and leave some pods for seed saving and easier monitoring.
00:31Provide well-draining soil.
00:33Amend heavy soils with sand or fine gravel and compost while maintaining a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 since excellent drainage prevents fatal root rot.
00:45Save seeds and practice succession sowing.
00:47Allow pods to dry, then harvest and store seeds in a cool, dark place, and practice succession sowing every few weeks while timing around local frost.
00:58Sow seeds at the right time and depth.
01:01Provide cold stratification through fall or early spring, sowing or refrigeration, and surface sow seeds, keeping them evenly moist until germination in 10 to 20 days.
01:13Thin seedlings for airflow and stronger plants.
01:15Thin seedlings to 6 to 12 inches by snipping weaker plants to improve airflow and sturdiness.
01:22And dispose of thinnings to avoid allopathic effects.
01:26Water wisely.
01:27Keep soil evenly moist early, then let it slightly dry.
01:31Maintain consistent moisture during germination using gentle misting or bottom watering.
01:37And after establishment, water deeply once a week while avoiding excess that promotes rot.
01:42Lightly fertilize to encourage robust blooms.
01:46Feed plants lightly with balanced slow-release fertilizer or compost tea after establishment and avoid high nitrogen while repeating applications about every 6 weeks.
01:57Ensure full sun exposure.
01:59Provide at least 6 hours of direct sun, ideally more, and impartial shade.
02:04Use containers or south-facing walls to maximize available light.
02:08Use containers or south-facing walls to maximize available light.
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