Poppy plant question
- Thread starter rowlman
- Start date
Lil Czr
Well-Known Member
I grow poppies, here are the basics.
They like a loose sandy well drained soil.
They like cool weather so it's best to plant them at the end of winter, but they can be planted in the fall as well.
Even if there is a little snow on the ground before spring sets in, that's ok.
They also like full sun, as much as they can get.
They also do not like to be watered too often.
Any other questions, I'll be happy to answer them if I can.
They like a loose sandy well drained soil.
They like cool weather so it's best to plant them at the end of winter, but they can be planted in the fall as well.
Even if there is a little snow on the ground before spring sets in, that's ok.
They also like full sun, as much as they can get.
They also do not like to be watered too often.
Any other questions, I'll be happy to answer them if I can.
Lil Czr
Well-Known Member
If you plant them in the late winter/early spring, and depending on where you live exactly approx. sometime around june.
So around 3 months or so until they flower.
Now when it comes time to harvest, that's when you need to have done your research.
You have to time it right if you 're going to lance them, or the latex will be either too thin or too thick.
If you're just going to used the dried pods then it's not nearly as time sensitive.
Good luck.
So around 3 months or so until they flower.
Now when it comes time to harvest, that's when you need to have done your research.
You have to time it right if you 're going to lance them, or the latex will be either too thin or too thick.
If you're just going to used the dried pods then it's not nearly as time sensitive.
Good luck.
Dr.Nick
Active Member
Also, you'll need to grow quite a few. Otherwise, unless you're growing them just to look at, which I'm sure you are, you'll want to figure that each good sized pod will wield 100-250mgs of raw opium if everything goes well. 50-100mgs per pod is probably more realistic. Otherwise, they're really easy to grow. Also, I think McCormick's brand usually is sourced from Tasmanian pharma poppies (just FYI) and are very cheap and discrete. They're super easy to grow, indoors or out. Just be sure you don't over fertilize them (which is real easy to do). To plant you want to put the seeds in a salt shaker and sow on the top of moist soil and thin as they get older. The like company, and they really don't like to be transplanted. So, if you do need to start them somewhere else, I'd use some jiffy pots or soil in a cardboard egg carton and plant the whole pot. If you have any more questions don't be affraid to ask, I think quite a few people here have grown them at some point.
Shayden
Active Member
Yeah, you need to grow alot for a big yeild, I usually do Guerilla grows in a forest I suggest you do the same. Keep in mind growing poppies with intent to use them is against the law! My rule of thumb is 10:1 for heroin - Every 10g of Opium = 1g of H. So basicly Anywhere inbetween 3 and 12 poppies (In my experience) can make you a gram of Heroin. Which is about 100$ street price. Which means every pod is worth inbetween 10 and 25$, if your doing a guerilla grow you have about 200 flowers. Do the math 
Leothwyn
Well-Known Member
Any advice on that? I've heard that you watch the ring of little frilly things on the top of the pod. After the petals fall off the frilly things are light colored, but after a couple of weeks or so they get dark (almost black), then it's time. So, that's what I'm watching for right now on mine. Does that seem right?
Lil Czr
Well-Known Member
Yes, that seems to be a pretty good indicator that you are getting close.
Also the crown on top should be sticking up almost vertically.
I like to do a very small test lance to see if the latex is thick enough.
If it's too thin it will just drip out into the ground.
Oh yeah, be very careful not to cut too deep, or you'll cut through the pod.
If that happens then the latex will run inside the pod.
And I mean that it is a super shallow cut, not much more than a deep scratch really.
A little practice and you'll have it.
Dr.Nick
Active Member
Yup, when the "crowns" turn black and point up it's time to harvest. If you need more detailed info you can check out www.poppies.org, their forum is searchable but they don't have open registration, so you can't post anything. Kinda prickish IMO, but a lot of good info. Also, you might check out http://opioids.com/ it's good, but kinda limited. There are all sorts of resources out there, just have fun with it and don't get hooked.
rowlman
Well-Known Member
Thanks you guys. I'm going to start some intense research now...so I don't have to ask a million questions as I go. I have a couple more questions while I'm here though...lol...like lighting. I have a 400w HID with both MH and HPS that I don't use , and I have 4' flor. that I use for seedling/clones etc. Can I use either of these? and can they be grown soiless? Thanks again
Lil Czr
Well-Known Member
I have grown them indoors and it can be done but you have 3 things working against you that are just about impossible to overcome.
First - is the sheer numbers that you have to grow to harvest enough opium to make it worth the effort.
It's just about impossible to grow that many poppies indoors, as it takes several poppy heads to get one person high.
Second - is that poppies grown under even the best HID lighting are much smaller than the poppies grown under the sun.
And that further decreases your harvest.
Thirdly - it's almost impossible to transplant poppies as their roots are very delicate and run very shallow.
They can tolerate very little damage, and most die soon after transplant.
So in short, poppies are very easy to grow provided you have the right environment, otherwise it's almost impossible.
First - is the sheer numbers that you have to grow to harvest enough opium to make it worth the effort.
It's just about impossible to grow that many poppies indoors, as it takes several poppy heads to get one person high.
Second - is that poppies grown under even the best HID lighting are much smaller than the poppies grown under the sun.
And that further decreases your harvest.
Thirdly - it's almost impossible to transplant poppies as their roots are very delicate and run very shallow.
They can tolerate very little damage, and most die soon after transplant.
So in short, poppies are very easy to grow provided you have the right environment, otherwise it's almost impossible.
Hydro Hippy
Active Member
Hmm this is weird that this thread is here. Yesterday I was just wondering about growing poppies, is it worth the hassle guys?
Lil Czr
Well-Known Member
Hydro Hippy
Active Member
haha sweet bro, might as well get the guerilla gowin
Lil Czr
Well-Known Member
Yes, you can plant a fall crop, they just won't take off until the weather cools down.
They do best when there is a chill in the air.
rowlman
Well-Known Member
I'm on my way out to the woods now to find a nice sunny spot. I tried to find some info online , but I need to get a book I guess. From what I got so far...lots of sun...kinda sandy soil...and cooler air temp. About 3 months in my area ( upper-mid-U.S.A.) untill harvest. Now I need to find out watering, nutes, and pests. I'll post back here later , any more info is always appreciated. Thanks...have a stoney one.