Poppy Seed Stratification Guide

Our UK Papaver Somniferum Poppy Seeds (if used for gardening) may require stratification to germinate, and grow properly. Stratification is a synthetic cooling process used trick seeds into thinking they’ve gone through winter, and that it's now spring, and time to grow. No lot of seeds, even from the same distributor are the same when it comes the amount of required stratification time. It may take more or less time depending on the batch seeds. If you are looking for instructions on how to plant Poppy Seeds, visit our POPPY SEED PLANTING GUIDE

Stratification Steps:

 

• Place a 1/2 cup of potting soil or dirt in a plastic bag.
• Sprinkle a very small amout of water on the dirt.
• Add 1/8 cup of Poppy Seeds into the bag.
• Mix the Poppy Seeds into the dirt.
• Seal the bag, and place in the refrigerator for 14 days.
• Remove after 14 days, and leave out on a paper towel in a dry room temperature area for 7 days.
• Process can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 5 months depending on the Poppy Seeds.

If mold begins to grow in the bag, the seeds will most likely be ruined. Throw the seeds away, and start again.

Do not use too much water, as it can cause mold, or drown the seeds.

This process is not always nessecary, but it sometimes is depending on the seeds.

 Once this process is finished, you can plant the seeds. See our POPPY SEED PLANTING GUIDE for instructions on planting the seeds.