poppy indoors question

Hey there. Is it possible to grow poppy indoors??
I have MH and HPS lights...I was thinking maybe some all purpose foxfarm soil??
If indoors is possible...what would be the light cycle?
What I know so far is they like well drainded soil, not much water,short lights untill flowers appear then longer light,and they take about 4 months.
Any info on this would be great.
I did goggle it 1st, but I was hoping for some 1st hand expertice...thanks ahead for any help
Peace.

They can be grown indoors.

SWIM is in the midst of a first grow. It's definitely a learning experience.

Initial growing area was just in a room with the following conditions and supplies:

73 degrees F
4 clip on shop light fixtures with attached cone shaped reflectors from hardware store.
4 CFLs = 2x2700k 26watt + 2x6500k 13watt
5 gallon bucket from hardware store
Ceiling fan always on at low speed
Vegetable and Flower Soil from hardware store
Hungarian Blue papaver somniferum seeds

Dumped soil in bucket.
Sprinkled seeds on surface of soil.
Sprinkled a very small layer of soil over those seeds.
Then sprinkled some more seeds on top of that soil.
misted the seeds daily (sometimes twice daily) always keeping the soil moist but not soaked.

The seeds are tiny and look fragile but the germination rate was damn near 100%.

After sprouting SWIM misted a little more heavily making sure some of the water made it into the soil for the roots.

The sprouts eventually all toppled over but don't fret they'll strengthen and grow upright.

A friend told SWIM to increase the lights. SWIM replaced previous lights with the following:
2 x 68watt 2700k 4200lumen CFL + 2x27 6500k CFL

The plants responded very well.

....to be continued.....

Forgot to mention. Germination was done without the lights. As soon as they started sprouting they were on an 18/6 timer (which hasn't changed).

Soon SWIM had to start thinning. There were WAAAAAAAAAAAY too many sprouts.

Plants began to grow their true leaves. They grow more like a lettuce....so the older leaves grow out then grow long. Then more leaves unfold from the middle and grow out. It's not like MJ at all.

Soon enough SWIM felt that there wasn't enough room in the bucket for more than 1 plant. SWIM moved about three clusters of plants into a bigger container and spaced the clusters out about ~ 5 or 6 inches from each other. Many of these plants from each cluster died. However there were survivors from each cluster. It seemed like for each of the plants that lived they were in a state of poor health for about a week before they gained a second wind. Leaves wilted and died on every plant.

They HATE.... I can't stress this enough HATE transplanting. You might want to plant wherever you plan to permanently grow them. So plan ahead. Transplanting is possible but it will definitely set you back and probably cost you a few plants.

SWIM thinned out to only three plants (one from each cluster). They were very happy.

There were some bugs from the soil. SWIM was annoyed by this and sprayed the plants with a "safe" "natural" insecticidal soap. This nasty stuff seemed to stain the leaves on the plant. That layer of leaves always seemed a bit wilted and never recovered.

SWIM added:
1 small fan constantly blowing lightly on plants.

Right now SWIM is 50+ days into vegging. Plants are too close together but still thriving.

SWIM recommends thinning out to 8 - 12 inches between plants. SWIM's are about 5 or 6 inches. Way too close. Plants are pushing up on one another and blocking parts of each other from vital light.

....to be continued....

SWIM has moved the grow to a closet after several weeks of construction. That's another story.

This smaller space causes the plants to be quite a bit warmer than they are used to. However, they are still growing. Their crowded growing container only gets more crowded.

SWIM has added the following (excluding closet equipment, materials):

another 68 watt 2700k 4200 lumen CFL
light splitter w/2 27 watt 6500k CFLs

SWIM wishes he had your HIDs

Rowlman,

The flower and vegetable soil seems to be working great so far.

I forgot to mention SWIM's containers are very well drained. SWIM drenches his containers whenever the drain pan below the container is dry and the top of the soil looks dry. This is usually every two days. Sometimes SWIM feels bad for the plants and sneaks them a little drink in between.

If SWIM does a second grow the light cycle would start at maybe 14 or 15 hours of light/day then move up to 18/6 for flowering. SWIM believes in giving the plants some rest and doesn't want to do 24/0. They look happy the morning after a good night of rest (just like most plants in a garden).

I hope that helps brutha. Good luck!

I just planted a long tray full of seeds today, wish me luck, also planted a similar one with sirian rue seed.

Thanks alot SWIM...as soon as I get a few things together, I'll be plant'n. I have all hydro equipment here so I need to get some soil, a few big pots, and make a spot in the grow room. Thanks again..happy growing

SWIM says "you're welcome"

Keep us posted on how it goes!

Omg they've finally bolted!!!!!!

ANC said:

I just planted a long tray full of seeds today, wish me luck, also planted a similar one with sirian rue seed.

Click to expand...

lol you're the man - good luck

For anyone interested SWIM provided some pics of the poppies just starting to bolt.

MOAR!

hrmm i wonder if i stuck a plant or 2 in my mother room what would happen...

Wish this thing would hurry up!

Poppy grew a boner.

First flower opening up

Brings a tear to my eye, Saddam... Am I correct in assuming that SWIY's flowers are Mccorms? SWIM has some seedlings that are just going into veg using 4 26 watt 2600k cfls... they are about 4 weeks old. You said early in this thread that seedlings lie down under the weight of the vegetation but they straighten up with time; did this happen with SWIY? Again, beautiful show... hopefully SWIY will get an okay looking arrangement.

SWIM's are Hungarian Blue bought locally. Yes, the lying down did happen with SWIM's. The arrangement should be decent.

Are SWIY's McCorms?

Generic culinary, yes... after seeing how well Duster's and Foyle's (from the PORG) cfl grows were with culinary strains, SWIM decided to go that route, too, though, from what I've read, he should have waited for his persian whites to be delivered as they apparently do very well indoors. Does SWIY plan on having an outdoor grow this spring? SWIM has some flemish antique's that will look perfect and innocent next to his wife's knock-out roses...

SWIM was planning on planting some for overwintering some here shortly. Once the temps come down a bit. There's a nice spot picked out amongst the Mexican Petunias.

Keep me posted on SWIY's indoor poppies. I'd love to see pictures as they start coming along.