Meconopsis cambrica |
Origin: Western Europe
Zone Range: 5-9
Preferred Situation: Semi sun/shady sites; evenly moist well draining soil.
Harvest Date: Wednesday 12 September, 2007
Description:
This near scarlet flowering species is quick to establish itself in the right spot in the garden. A basal rosette of divided deeply toothed pale green leaves provide contrast to the single 2 cm wide blooms held just above the foliage. Plant seldom exceeds 45 cm in height with a 30 cm spread.
Notes:
A short lived perennial but it’s a prolific self seeder to continue providing lush colonies under deciduous trees and shrubs so don’t go overboard in deadheading. Occasionally, there is some repeat bloom after the initial flush is over in late June. Needs very little care and is great for those wanting to have an established garden look without waiting for years.
Cultivation:
For Meconopsis we use the following method: prepare flats or plug trays with a damp moisture retentive humus rich acidic medium with a top sowing layer of moist coarse sand 4-5 mm deep. SOW THINLY! Sprinkle seed over the prepared surface. Use a fine mist to seat seeds into the sand. Cover with clear plastic sheet, then a clear plastic dome with a couple layers of newspaper laid on top. Mist every other day or so. Never let seed/seedlings become dry or waterlogged. Remove paper and inner plastic layer when green sprouts start to appear in 14-30 days and provide bright indirect light (never direct sun!). Provide some ventilation (occasionally remove dome), but keep using the dome until seedlings have strong enough root system. Bottom heat greater than 22 C seriously impairs germination rate. Don’t separate seedlings growing together.
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