Poppy.

Poppy (Papaver) is a herbaceous vegetation and belongs to the Poppy family. The genus includes over a hundred varieties. Poppy comes from European territory (south and middle lane), as well as from Australian and Asian territories. Wild poppies can be found in temperate latitudes, in the subtropics and in harsh climatic conditions. They also like to grow in drought areas, for example, in desert, steppe, semi-desert zones, and poppy also prefers to cover rocky and dry slopes. This vegetation is cultivated as decorative and medicinal. In some countries, this flower cannot be cultivated, because most of its varieties contain narcotic substances. In a number of countries, the plant is cultivated on large plantations to obtain opium from pods that are not ripe. Opium is used to make pain relievers and sleeping pills.

Already in antiquity (namely, in Rome), people knew that the flower is endowed with medicinal qualities, while opium was studied, its effect on sleep. There is a version that the scientific name is derived from the Latin "papa", this word is translated as "father", this is explained by the fact that in order to calm down a child who is worried and crying, poppy seeds were poured into his food.

In the Middle Ages, it was forbidden to drink alcohol on the territory of Asia Minor; a substitute was found for this - smoking opium. Later, it spread widely in the east, and to this day, the Chinese consume opium most of all. The Chinese government in 1820 banned the import of intoxicating poison, but after a certain period of time, after the loss of the "opium" war with the British, the drug was again allowed to be imported into the country. And all because the British earned a lot from the fact that they supplied opium to the Chinese. At the moment, the plant is cultivated in the Indian, Minor and Central Asian, Chinese and Afghan territories. Flowers with decorative properties, as well as their hybrid varieties, are popular among florists. Poppy is often grown in rockeries or flower beds.

Characteristics of culture.

Poppy is a herbaceous annual, perennial, two-year, rhizome culture. The main root goes deep into the ground, and the peripheral suction roots are very easy to tear off during the transplanting phase. Strong vertical shoots can be pubescent or bare. The leaves are feathery, dissected or whole, can be arranged opposite or in turn, their surface is covered with hairs and bristles. The flowers are of the correct shape, are located at the top, differ in the many stamens located on them, their peduncles are strong and elongated. Flowers usually appear singly, but there are varieties in which the panicle inflorescences contain flowers. Petals are whole, large, can be colored orange, white, red, yellow, salmon. The fruit is a box in the form of a club, seeds are located in it, it is blocked by a flattened or convex center. After ripening, the fruit bursts, the seeds fly to the sides for a good distance. The germination capacity of grains lasts three to four years.

Cultivation of a plant by seed method.

The annual plant is not grown by the seedling method, because it shows good germination when sowing seeds under the open sky. In addition, if you cultivate poppy seedlings, then a large percentage of the fact that it will die after transplantation. A perennial plant can be cultivated using seedlings. After the first two true leaves appear in the seedlings, they dive under the open sky.

Poppy planting time.

When purchasing seeds via the Internet or in a specialized store, they often do not need to be prepared for sowing. The seeds that you collected yourself must go through the stratification process in advance, for this purpose, in areas with a warm winter season, they are sown in the ground in autumn or at the end of winter, the seeds must freeze in cold soil. If a decision is made to sow seeds late in the spring, then the seeds require preliminary stratification, for this purpose they are removed in the refrigerator, namely, in the box for vegetable crops, and lie there for eight weeks. If the seeds are not stratified, then the emergence of seedlings will occur later, and they will develop slowly.

Planting poppies in the garden.

Almost all varieties and varieties of poppy grow well in places that have good lighting. As for the soil, all varieties and varieties prefer something of their own. A variety that grows well in depleted soil does not need to prepare a site before planting. If the poppy likes to grow on fertile soil, then you need to dig it up plot and at the same time apply compost fertilizer or bone meal. To simplify sowing, the grains are combined with fine sand in a ratio of 1:10. It is required to loosen the soil three cm deep, then equally distribute the grains over the surface layer, sprinkled on top with a thin earthen layer. It is not necessary to sow the grains in rows, as they will not hold on to the planting site. Make sure that the soil is constantly slightly damp. After the emergence of seedlings, they need to be thinned, and between the seedlings there should be an interval of fifteen to twenty cm. If the seeds were sown in the spring, then the appearance of the first seedlings will be after 7-10 days. The flowering of the plant will begin in three to three and a half months from the moment of sowing, the poppy will bloom for a month and a half.

Agrotechnics in the garden.

Growing this plant is not so difficult. He needs watering only when there is a long dry period. After watering between the poppies, the surface soil layer is loosened, and all the weeds are pulled out. To reduce the frequency of weeding, watering, loosening, mulching of the surface soil layer is required.

Top dressing is not so necessary, but keep in mind that plants respond to them perfectly. Diseases overwhelm the flower in rare cases, pests rarely visit it, therefore, it must be processed if necessary.

Harmful insects and diseases.

In bad weather, the poppy flower can be affected by powdery mildew, downy mildew (downy mildew), Alternaria and Fusarium.

Powdery mildew.

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease. The surface of the leaves of a diseased plant is covered with a bloom in the form of a spider web of white color. After a short period of time, the plaque disappears, however, in its place the formation of fruiting fungal bodies occurs, which are small brown and black specks. The flower is very strongly oppressed by this disease, the yield rate is still decreasing. If powdery mildew is found, the poppy is treated with a soda solution (30-50 g / 10 liters of water) or copper oxychloride (40 g / bucket). In addition, quite often the plant is sprayed with "Medex", and the most effective means can be considered a suspension of mustard or garlic infusion.

Peronosporosis (downy mildew).

This disease is considered fungal, like the previous one.In a diseased poppy, peduncles and shoots are bent, the surface of the leaves is covered with brown-red spots, after which they are deformed. After a time interval, a gray-violet bloom, consisting of fungal spores, forms on the inner side of the leaves and on the shoots. This disease suppresses seedlings, in addition, diseased adult plants form small bolls containing several times fewer seeds. Processing is carried out in the same way as to get rid of powdery mildew.

Fusarium wilting.

This is also a fungal disease. The surface of shoots and leaves is covered with dark spots. The bush dries up, the bolls do not develop completely and are deformed, they wrinkle and stain in a brown color. When this disease is affected, the vascular system of the plant is affected. This disease is incurable. Sick bushes are removed from the soil and destroyed, the growing area is spilled with any fungicidal solution.

Alternaria

When affected by this disease, the surface of the capsules and leaves is covered with a bloom in the form of spots of olive color. This ailment is also fungal in nature. The affected plant is sprayed with solutions of "Cuproxat", "Fundazol", "Oxychloride" or Bordeaux mixture.

To prevent the activity of diseases caused by the fungus, observance of the fruit change is required. That is, it is forbidden to plant poppy in the place of its previous cultivation for 3 years. In addition, in the fall, the garden and vegetable garden plots are freed from the remnants of vegetation, they are burned. At the same moment, the soil is dug deep into the bayonet of the shovel.

Of all the pests, the weevil is the most dangerous for the poppy flower, its other name is poppy secretive proboscis. Because of it, the root system of the culture is traumatized. The larvae of this pest eat poppy leaves. Rarely bolls and shoots can be visited by aphids. For prophylaxis against weevils, before sowing the seeds, a 7% solution of Chlorophos (in granules) or 10% of Bazudin is introduced into the soil. If the poppy is grown as a perennial, then these preparations are embedded in the soil between the bushes, after the emergence of seedlings, they are sprayed 2-3 times on the leaves with a solution of the preparation "Chlorophos". The time between treatments should be 10 days. When aphids attack, plants are treated with Aktara, Antitlin or Aktellik.

Poppy after blooming.

After flowering, the annual poppy is removed from the soil and burned. For longer flowering, you need to cut off the resulting bolls in time. If they are not removed, then self-seeding will appear next year. In autumn, the remains of vegetation are removed from the territory, the soil is dug up.

When a flower is grown as a perennial, after it has faded, its decorative effect disappears, for this reason it is cut off to the surface soil layer. Shelter for the poppy for the winter season is not required without fail. But, if it is likely that there will be little snow in winter, and frosts are predicted, then the place is covered with spruce branches or dried foliage.

Poppy varieties.

As already mentioned, flower growers cultivate poppy, which is an annual and perennial plant. Further, the characteristics of annual varieties that are popular with flower growers will be given.

Poppy "Holosteelny" (Papaver nudicaule), or poppy "Saffron" (Papaver croceum).

This cultivated perennial is cultivated as an annual flower. He comes from Altai, Mongolian, East Siberian and Central Asian territories. The shoot grows up to thirty cm. The leaves are feathery, located at the roots, have a light gray or pale green color, the outer side can be pubescent or bare. The flowers reach 26-51 mm in diameter, they sit on strong flower legs, 16-21 cm long. The color of flowers can be yellow, white, orange.Flowering occurs on May-October days. Every part of this poppy flower is poisonous! There are several varieties that bloom in late spring and finish late in autumn.

Popskile. The bush is compact and effective. Its height is 26 cm. The flower stalk is strong, the wind is not afraid of it. The flowers grow up to ten cm in diameter, and they are painted in bright colors.

"Cardinal". The plant stretches up to forty cm, the flowers are about sixty mm wide, their color is scarlet.

"Sulfureum". Poppy grows up to thirty cm. Flowers are lemon-yellow in color, reaching about sixty mm in diameter.

Atlant. The plant stretches up to twenty cm. The diameter of the flowers is fifty mm, their color is white and yellow.

Roseum. The poppy grows up to forty cm, its flowers are painted in pink, their size in diameter is sixty mm.

Poppy "Samoseyka" (Papaver rhoeas).

The homeland of this species is the European territory (west and middle latitudes), Asia Minor, Russian central latitudes, the Mediterranean coast. The shoots are sprawling, branchy, grow vertically, reaching thirty to sixty cm upward. The leaves, located on the stems, are divided into three parts, dissected into feathery lobules, and those growing at the roots are large, feathery, separate, have notches. The surface of leaves and shoots is hairy. The flowers of a double or simple structure are five to seven cm across, their color is pink, salmon, red and white, as well as their edge is white or dark, the petals at the base have a spot of a dark shade. Cultivation of this species began in 1596. Many varieties of this variety are cultivated by flower growers.

Shirley. The bush grows up to seventy-five cm. The flowers are beautiful, have a light coloration and white stamens.

Silk moire. Flowers are semi-double structure. The rim of the petals is richly colored, the central part of them has the same coloration, only more delicate.

Poppy "Sleeping" (Papaver somniferum), or "Opium" poppy.

This variety can be found wild on the Mediterranean coast. Shoots are vertical, branching to a weak degree, reaching one meter of growth, have a bluish-green color, the surface is covered with a waxy bloom. The leaves growing at the roots are elongated, located on the stems in the form of an ellipse, and the leaves located at the top are presented in the form of a triangle, are painted in greenish colors, and can curl. Single flowers of a double or simple structure, grow up to ten cm in diameter. Their coloring is pink, purple, white, purple, red or lilac. There are flowers that have white or dark spots at the base of the petals. Peduncles are elongated. The opening of flowers occurs in the morning, wilting - in the evening. Poppy blooms for three to four weeks. Cultivation of this species began in 1597.

The best varieties.

"Danish flag". The plant stretches up to seventy-five cm. The name comes from the original color: against the background of a red tone there is a white cross, petals along the edge in the form of a fringe. After flowering, the poppy is able to retain its originality, because its seed pods are very decorative.

"The Merry Family". The box is of an original look, reminiscent of a brood hen. Flowers are made up of bouquets in the winter season.

The peony varieties of this variety are quite popular.

"White cloud". Inflorescences are large in size, snow-white, sitting on strong peduncles, one meter long.

"Yellow Cloud". Large inflorescences, painted in golden colors. It looks impressive and unusual.

"Black Cloud". The inflorescences are terry structure, painted in purple or dark colors.

"Tsartroza". The bush branches, its height is seventy-ninety cm. The flowers are double-structured, light pink in color, the size is ten cm across, the petals have white spots at the base.

Schneebal. The bush branches in a medium degree, grows up to eighty cm. The flowers are double-textured, white in color, the size in diameter is eleven cm. The edges of the inner petals seem to have been cut.

"Zwerg Rosenroth". The plant grows up to forty to sixty cm. The flowers are double-structured, pink-red in color, about ten cm in cross section. The petals are in the form of an oval, at the central part there is a white spot. The edges of the petals located inside are in the form of a fringe.

Poppy varieties "Gray" and "Peacock" are also grown as annual plants.

As perennials, oriental poppy flowers are cultivated by flower growers of the middle lane. This herbaceous culture comes from the south of the Transcaucasian and Asia Minor territories. Shoots are strong, vertical, thickened, with bristles, grow up to eighty to one hundred cm. The leaves located at the roots are feathery, dissected, their length is thirty cm, the leaves growing on the stems are not so large. Single flowers are about eighteen cm in diameter, painted in a fiery red color, petals at the base have black spots. Flowering lasts 15 days, dark purple pollen is for bees luring to the garden area. Poppy cultivation began in 1700. The varietal mixture of oriental poppy "Pizzicato" is popular among flower growers. A strong bush grows up to fifty cm, the color of the flowers is white, lilac, pink, and there are also different tones of orange and red.

Popular varieties.

Beauty Queen. The plant stretches up to ninety cm. The flowers are silky, presented in the form of saucers.

Black & White. The poppy grows up to eighty cm. The flowers are white, the petals have a black spot at the base.

Blue Moon. The peduncle grows up to one meter. The flowers in the cross section are twenty-five cm, they are painted in pink, petals with a blue tint.

Cedric Morris. The plant reaches about eighty cm in height. The flowers are large, pink in color, with a black spot at the base of the petals.

Curlilok. Poppy reaches about seventy cm in height. Flowers are orange in color, slightly drooping. At the base, the petals have a black spot. Also, the edges of the petals have teeth.

"Allegro". The bush reaches forty cm, flowering occurs during the sowing season. Flowers are large and decorative.

Popular varieties: Garden Glory, Glouing Ambers, Mrs. Perry, Karin, Sultan, Kleine Tangerine, Marcus Perry, Pettis Plum, Piccotti, Terkish Delight.

Perennial poppy varieties grown by gardeners: Alpine, Amur, Atlantic, white-pink, burcera, Lapland, Miyabe, Scandinavian, bracts, Tatra. These varieties are less decorative than the oriental poppy.

What is useful and harmful to poppy.

Hundreds of years ago they already knew about the qualities of the opium poppy flower. A sleeping pill and anesthetic drink was prepared from the grains. Poppy was also especially popular in ancient Greek time: myths tell that poppy seeds were constantly taken everywhere by the god of dreams Morpheus and sleep Gipson, as well as Hera, the goddess of fertility. When Charlemagne ruled, the poppy flower was appreciated in European territory, for example, the peasants had to give 26 liters of grains to the state barn. Poppy seeds were used to treat sick people, and it was given to children to make them sleep soundly. It was not known at the time that poppy seeds were dangerous. In the sixteenth century, Jacob Theodorus, a botanist and doctor, published a book "Poppy Seed Juice", in which he presented information about the dangers and benefits of the poppy flower.

Poppy seeds contain fat, sugar, proteins, vitamins E, PP, trace elements Cu, Zn, P, Fe, S, petals are rich in fatty oil, vitamin C, alkaloids, glycosides, anthocyanins, flavonoids, organic acids and gums. Poppy seed oil is included in the list of the most valuable vegetable oils. It is used when making cosmetics and paints.

Poppy seeds of blue color are used as an expectorant, they are also used in the preparation of a decoction to eliminate pain in the ears and toothache. Poppy seeds are used to treat insomnia, pneumonia, liver disease, stomach catarrh and hemorrhoids. A decoction of poppy roots is used to treat migraines and sciatica. Seed broth improves the digestive process. Poppy is used to get rid of excessive sweating, bladder inflammation, dysentery and diarrhea. Poppy flower is the cornerstone of such strong pharmaceuticals: "Morphine", "Narcein", "Codeine", "Papaverine", "Narcotin". They are prohibited for use without consulting a doctor.

What is harmful poppy.

Who is prohibited from using drugs that are made on a poppy basis: the elderly, children under 2 years old, people prone to alcoholism, people suffering from cholelithiasis, emphysema, respiratory depression, anoxemia, bronchial asthma or chronic constipation.