skip to main content

What do oriental poppy seedlings look like?

linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I went on a garden walk last July and the homeowner had the most
beautiful poppies blooming. She had not only the rich orange color with black centers,
but some salmon to pink ones. When we admired them she gave us all some seeds that
she had saved from the previous year. When we asked when and how to sow them, she
said she just scattered the seed “anytime.” She said to do it right away, so I scattered
some now and then for a few weeks after.

I have lots of seedlings coming up, but I also have a
very invasive flower, Silene Dioica, that seeds like crazy too. They have seeds similar to
poppy seeds in size, so the seed leaves are small. So knowing what poppies
looks like at the first few true leaves stage would be helpful. Thanks!

Featured Answer

User

8 years ago

Orientale poppies are actually hybrids of various types: consequently, there is no uniformity in their foliage habit. Some are paler green, some more bluish. Some have leaves which are only lightly cut while others are very lacinate indeed. Texture also can be variable - from papery, tissue-like leaves to robust, hairy leafage. All will form a distinct rosette with varying degrees of downy covering and all the leaves will have some form of notching. In Linnea's case, it will be very easy to distinguish between the different plants but you may find, Rob, that you will have to look for a typical style and shape and make allowances for a degree of uncertainty.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

User
8 years ago
Ho yes, I have red campion all over the woods (although it is a great swallowtail plant). Believe me, you will see the difference between oriental poppies and silene. The poppy leaves are dentate immediately (the edges of the leaves are toothed), very unlike the spoon shaped leaves of campion. Also, poppy leaves are finely covered in hairs, even at a young age - in fact as soon as true leaves show.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
https://www.google.com/search?q=poppy+seedlings&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjsl7vlq5PMAhUhuoMKHaCwCpMQ_AUIBygB&biw=965&bih=745&dpr=0.9
Related Discussions
What do brussels sprouts seedlings look like?
Q
Comments (2)
If I remember right, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli seedlings all look pretty similar. I grew some last spring, and if I hadn't labeled them, I don't know if I could have told them apart. Did quite a bit of searching on the Net. This is the only picture I've found so far of just sprouted Brussels sprouts. Here is a link that might be useful: Young Brussels sprouts, etc.
...See More
what do seedling leaves look like?
Q
Comments (2)
Gardengals pictures look great- Here in Woodstock, Ga my newest seedlings are still very rough looking- the leaves have not seperated and are pale as I just pulled the leaf cover off them,Also they are lanky from trying to reach throught the leaves. When in doubt give them time! Best regards, Diamondcil
...See More
What do the seedlings look like?
Q
Comments (4)
Hello there in Sweden! I hope you have a nice little seedling coming up there. MorZ8 put up a good photo of the relatively large, oval seed leaves from x hybridus (orientalis). If that's what you have growing, the first true leaf that emerges after these seed leaves will look a bit like a three-leaf clover. It's probably a good idea to gently pull out the grass growing in your pot, as grasses are very competitive and will take up space, water, light and nutrients that your emerging seedlings will need. I hope you get lots more germination. Best, Elizabeth
...See More
what do oregano seedlings look like?! :)
Q
Comments (4)
My oregano was started from seeds the beginning of April and now have an inch or two stems of tiny green leaves, similar to thyme. The thyme leaves are on 3 inch stems though, and were started the same time. I also have rosemary started from seed and these too have a few small leaves. Just planted all of these, along with basil, shallots, asparagus, and tarragon, in my garden. There are a few varieties of oregano, with smaller round leaves, as well as larger oval pointed shaped leaves like the photo above.
...See More
rob333 (zone 7b)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
ken, your search has three or four different types of seedlings. Didn't answer the question? Is it ferny? Large and divided? I know you were trying to say, just google it without saying google it, but I was hoping for a real answer ;)

ETA:this page shows a seedling and it looks like it's deeply divided, but not ferny.
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
8 years ago
Linnea and rob333 - These are not seedlings but I have never taken a pic of seedlings in a tray.

This is as close as I can get for you. Young Oriental poppy coming up.
This one happens to be peachy/pink but the foliage is indistinguishable from the orange.
rob333 (zone 7b)
8 years ago
Now that helps! I appreciate the answers.
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks! Those hairy leaves, in addition to being toothed, should be a give-away. Looks like monarda in the back, I think I spotted some of those coming up too. I hope I'm lucky and some poppies did germinate.
GardenHo_MI_Z5
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Here is one of my seed grown oriental poppies..just waiting for temps to warm up a bit so I can get them planted :)

not sure why pic looks distorted
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
8 years ago
Yes linnea it is Monarda coming up. The area I took the pic in had been disturbed last year and not cleaned up yet. I try not to take pics of messy areas but I wanted to give you as quick a response as possible.
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
Original Author
8 years ago
Oh, that is not a criticism! I enjoy seeing what mother nature returns to us. We then just have to decide what we feel she was too generous about sharing. I have been attempting to get monarda to do its own succession planting. Your pic reminded me that I should watch out for that too, as it in in the same area as the poppies.
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
8 years ago
LOL! linnea I certainly did not take it as a criticism. It is only the perfectionist in me coming out. I have posted pics that were less than perfect before but never quite like that one.

Monarda really gets around but I have a couple of different ones in a couple of areas because the hummingbirds love it so much, especially the red.

I hope your poppies come up too!
User
8 years ago
Hope you get one of these!
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Oh, that’s beautiful! I hope so too. I checked today and
though I have a lot of seedlings, so far none look like poppies. It’s a bit too
soon to judge, though. I do have more seed, though, if I need to try again.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: California Poppy

Fall planting: California's state flower offers a glorious spring show and spreads readily in gardens under the right conditions

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Stylophorum Diphyllum

By Curtis Adams

Appalachian native celandine poppy’s flowers and foliage combine to brighten a woodland garden well into summer

SAVING WATER Houzz Call: Are You Letting Go of Your Lawn?

By Annie Thornton

Many facing a drought are swapping turf for less thirsty plantings. If you’re one of them, we’d like to hear about it

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Mitella Diphylla Provides Snowflakes in Spring

By Pollination Press LLC

This Eastern U.S. native plant will wow you with its delicate, snowflake-like petals and lacy texture

ECLECTIC HOMES Houzz Tour: An Eclectic Sanctuary Shows a Couple's True Colors

Travel takeaways, religious totems, thrift store finds and unusual compositions personalize a Melbourne home

EDIBLE GARDENS Food and Community Thrive in a U.K. Allotment Garden

By Annie Thornton

Get a peek at a rented garden plot in England where edibles and flowers mix and local residents can mingle

COOL-SEASON CROPS Cool-Season Vegetables: How to Grow Spinach

By Marianne Lipanovich

Chock-full of antioxidants and iron, spinach is a nutrient-rich addition to your fall or spring garden

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Modern Cabin Decor

By MFAMB aka Jenny

Fall is just around the corner. Time to plan your perfect anti-cabin retreat

SPRING GARDENING Top 10 Scented Plants for Your Garden

By Carol Bucknell Garden Design

A palette of perfumed plants can transform even the smallest of gardens into a sensory delight

GARDENING GUIDES Small Carpenter Bees Are Looking for a Home in Your Plant Stems

By Pollination Press LLC

Provide flowers and nesting sites in your garden for this beautiful, tiny, metallic blue wild bee — your plants will thank you

Sponsored

RTS Home Solutions

3 Reviews

BIA of Central Ohio Award Winning Contractor

More Discussions

The last big sowing of the season

15

What's the trick to growing squash up a trellis?

11

Your MAY 2024 highlights

15

Redbud woes.......

10

What is your favorite blueberry bush variety?

0