papaver somniferum

[achmeineye]

Hey everyone-

I'm new here. As a matter of fact, this is my first post. I have*a question about papaver somniferum, otherwise known as the opium poppy. I recently bought a bag of seeds and was wondering if anyone here had experience with growing them. I live in Minnesota where it's usually too cold in the spring to plant anything, but I've heard that the poppies are very frost resistant. I'm not sure about later on, though, because it gets really hot here in the summer. A little input on how to grow them effectively, if it would even be possible here in Minnesota,*would be very much appreciated :)


P.S. No, I am not trying to grow these to harvest opium. The cashier at the store where I bought them asked me that, as it is a "very common occurence", which I doubt. Maybe she figured that an 18 year old kid with long hair can't be up to any good buying seeds that have the potential to yield something I can turn into heroin if I wanted to. Sigh.

[Newt]

Hi Achmeineye,

From this site under germination code A-10:
http://www.gardenmakers.com/papaver_somniferum.htm

"Sow this seed where it is to be grown* in cool weather (temperatures of 50-55° F). Cover seed lightly. Germination will occur within 2-3 weeks."

Newt