Surely you have ever seen the common poppy, that delicate flower with four red petals that decomposes with just a breeze. Well, although she is very pretty, our protagonist is not far behind. It is native to California, which is why it is known by the name of California poppy.
It is a perfect little herb for creating authentic rugs in soft and cheerful colors. Its maintenance is very simple, so you don't have to worry about anything.
Characteristics of the California Poppy
This beautiful flower, whose scientific name is Eschscholzia californica, is known by the names of bell, gold thimble, satin, fernandos and rasete. It is a herbaceous plant that behaves as perennial, annual or perennial depending on the climate of an area and the availability of water.. Although it is native to California, today it has become naturalized in the temperate regions of America and Europe. In Spain, it can be found in some parts of the peninsula, and in the Canary and Balearic archipelagos.
It grows to between 30 and 60cm in height, and its leaves are pinnatisect or pinnately divided. The flowers, undoubtedly their main attraction, have four yellow or orange petals. They are solitary and quite large, up to 3cm in diameter. Once the bees or another pollinating insect is in charge of passing the pollen from one flower to another, the fertilized ovum begins to "swell" as it develops into a fruit. When it finishes developing, it will be a straight and glabrous capsule that will measure between 7 and 10cm inside which globular seeds will be found.
Grow guide
Fancy having some California poppies? Take note of our advice:
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The seeds of this plant They must be acquired in spring and planted that same day, since its period of viability is short. It is done as follows:
- The first thing we recommend is that you put them in a glass of water for 24 hours. The next day, you will be able to know which ones will in all probability germinate (which will be the ones that sink) and which ones will not.
- The next day, you can sow them in seedling trays or in pots with universal growing medium mixed with 30% perlite, burying them just enough so that they cannot be blown away by the wind. It is important that you leave a distance of at least 5cm between them so that they can grow well.
- Afterward, give it a generous watering and place the seedbed or pot in a sunny display.
They will germinate very soon, after 7-10 days. It can take 15 days at most.
Transplant
When the seedlings have a manageable size, that is, when they measure about 5cm more or less, it will be time to move them to larger pots or, if you prefer, to the garden. How to proceed in each case? A) Yes:
Pot change
- You have to carefully remove the seedling from the seedbed.
- Next, fill the new pot with universal growing medium mixed with 30% perlite, and with a couple of fingers together poke a small hole right in the center.
- Now, introduce the root ball of the seedling into it, and finish filling the pot. Of course, it is important that the plant is only a little below the edge of the pot.
- Finally, it will be necessary to give it a good watering and place it in an area where it does not get direct sun until you do not see growth.
Plant in the garden
- As they are small plants, the first thing we advise you is that you mark the area where you are going to put your poppies. For them, you can use bamboo poles, for example.
- Once done, you have to remove the stones and grasses, and level the ground with a rake.
- Now, make trenches about 5cm deep, leaving a distance of about 15-20cm between them.
- Then carefully remove the seedlings and plant them in the trenches, leaving a distance of about 10cm between them.
- Then fill the trenches with garden soil.
- Finally, water.
Maintenance
Caring for California poppies is very simple, just keep in mind the following:
- Irrigation: every 2 or 3 days.
- Subscriber: During the flowering season it is advisable to fertilize with guano in liquid form if it is in a pot, or in powder if it is in the ground.
- Pruning: withered flowers must be removed.
California Poppy Uses
It is a beautiful flower that it is used mainly as an ornamental plant. It is the ideal size to decorate any corner of the exterior of the home, and its flowers are very beautiful. But you also have to know that it has medicinal properties.
This plant It is used as a sedative of the Central Nervous System, anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic and as a mild hypnotic. It is therefore a good remedy against insomnia and anxiety, as well as to keep at bay those microorganisms that can complicate our lives a bit, such as fungi.
To take advantage of its benefits, we can take it as an infusion, mixing equal parts California poppy, passionflower and lemon balm; in drops, or in capsules.
Side effects and / or contraindications
If you are pregnant or think you may be, breastfeeding or if you have glaucoma, you should not take it. When in doubt, consult a doctor.
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