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− | |jumpin=This is the plant information box - for information on light; water; zones; height; etc. If it is mostly empty you can help grow this page by clicking on the edit tab and filling in the blanks!
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| |image=Blue Poppy Meconopsis sp Pair 1000px.jpg | | |image=Blue Poppy Meconopsis sp Pair 1000px.jpg |
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| + | '''Meconopsis''' is a [[genus]] of flowering plants in the family ''[[Papaveraceae]]''. The [[species]] have attractive flowers and have two distinct ranges. A single species, {{sp|M|econopsis cambrica}}, also known as the ''Welsh poppy'', is indigenous to England, Wales, Ireland, and the fringes of Western Europe. The other 40 or so (depending on classification) species are found in the Himalayas. Within the Himalayan types there is much debate as to what constitutes a particular species as many readily [[hybrid|hybridise]] with each other and produce viable seed. It is likely that some individually-named species are in fact a single species but with an under-appreciated morphological diversity. |
| + | A large proportion of species are monocarpic and as such are notoriously difficult to maintain in cultivation. |
| + | Meconopsis grandis, nicknamed the Blue Poppy (although it is only poppy-like), is the national flower of Bhutan. |
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| {{Inc| | | {{Inc| |
| Meconopsis (Greek, poppy-like). Papaveraceae. Poppy-like herbs, annual and perennial, useful as garden flower plants. | | Meconopsis (Greek, poppy-like). Papaveraceae. Poppy-like herbs, annual and perennial, useful as garden flower plants. |
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| ==Cultivation== | | ==Cultivation== |
− | {{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
| + | Himalayan varieties have the reputation for being difficult to grow from seed, but when germinating new plants, using fresh seeds will help. On the other hand, the Welsh poppy is sometimes considered a weed, albeit a handsome one, due to its vigorous self-seeding. It comes as a surprise to many that poppies are available in shades of blue. These plants are available in a variety of strong colours, including blue, red, orange, purple, white and yellow depending on species and cultivar. |
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| + | They like a rich, [[loam]]y soil in a semi-shaded position. |
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| ===Propagation=== | | ===Propagation=== |
− | {{edit-prop}}<!--- Type propagation info below this line, then delete this entire line --> | + | Seeds should be stored in an airtight, dry container, in a cool place such as a domestic fridge. Some seeds, such as that of {{sp|M|econopsis punicea}} need to be sown when fresh and experience a period of cold to allow germination to occur.<ref>http://www.meconopsis.org/pages/cultivate3.html#raisingseed</ref> |
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| + | ====From Seed==== |
| + | Sow seeds during late summer through to early winter on the surface of a seed tray filled with moist [[seed raising mix]] and then cover with a 10mm layer of [[vermiculite]] and firm well, keep moist at all times, especially after germination has taken place, by misting or watering from below, to avoid disturbing the seeds. Including a lot of grit into the soil allows you to [[pricking out|prick]] the plant out without damaging the delicate stem or roots. Using [[peat pellet]]s solves this transplanting problem. |
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| + | Germinate them in a shaded, cool location. The germination period can be three weeks, but can also take several months, sometimes not germinating until the next year. Some species, such as {{sp|M|econopsis|lancifolia}}, {{sp|M|econopsis|sinuata}}, {{sp|M|econopsis|delavayi}}, and {{sp|M|econopsis|speciosa}} and the high altitude form of {{sp|M|econopsis|horridula}}. |
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| + | You can transfer plants into the garden when they are large enough. |
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| ===Pests and diseases=== | | ===Pests and diseases=== |
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| ==Species== | | ==Species== |
| Including{{wp}}:<br/> | | Including{{wp}}:<br/> |
− | ''[[Meconopsis aculeata|M. aculeata]]'' <br/>
| + | {{sp|M|econopsis|aculeata}}<br/> |
− | ''[[Meconopsis betonicifolia|M. betonicifolia]]'' (Himalayan blue poppy)<br/>
| + | {{sp|M|econopsis|betonicifolia}} (Himalayan blue poppy)<br/> |
− | ''[[Meconopsis cambrica|M. cambrica]]'' (Welsh poppy)<br/>
| + | {{sp|M|econopsis|cambrica}} (Welsh poppy)<br/> |
− | ''[[Meconopsis chelidonifolia|M. chelidonifolia]]''<br/>
| + | {{sp|M|econopsis|chelidonifolia}}<br/> |
− | ''[[Meconopsis grandis|M. grandis]]'' <br/>
| + | {{sp|M|econopsis|grandis}}<br/> |
− | ''[[Meconopsis lancifolia|M. lancifolia]]'' <br/>
| + | {{sp|M|econopsis|lancifolia}}<br/> |
− | ''[[Meconopsis napaulensis|M. napaulensis]]'' (Nepal poppy)<br/>
| + | {{sp|M|econopsis|napaulensis}} (Nepal poppy)<br/> |
− | ''[[Meconopsis punicia|M. punicia]]''<br/>
| + | {{sp|M|econopsis|punicia}}<br/> |
− | ''[[Meconopsis quituplinerva|M. quituplinerva]]'' <br/>
| + | {{sp|M|econopsis|quituplinerva}} <br/> |
− | ''[[Meconopsis simplicifolia|M. simplicifolia]]'' (blue poppy)<br/>
| + | {{sp|M|econopsis|simplicifolia}} (blue poppy)<br/> |
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| ==Gallery== | | ==Gallery== |