Transplanting Matilija poppies

[Anonymous]

has anyone had any luck transplanting Matilija poppy sprouts from one place to another? I have a beautiful plant in my garden that sends out little ones, and all my friends are asking about them. Every time I try to transplant, though, there are barely roots and the little plants die. Please help!thanksLisa T.</p>

[Anonymous]

I can sympathize with you. We also have a Matilija that sends runners out all over. I've only gotten one out of a dozen transplants to make it - and it never missed a beat! It was only 2-3' high and quite a bushy little sprout. I can only assume that I managed to keep enough of the soil around it to keep some connection to the plant.

Mostly when you dig them up, the soil falls away, leaving bare root. Even if they these roots put out a few leaves, they die too. If anyone has any tips, I'd love to know too.

I would guess that digging them up in early spring would be best, when the roots are very active. They are on their way to being dormant now.

Trish

[Anonymous]

As Trish says, transplanting Matillija poppies can be tricky. The best time to do it is in late fall or winter when the plants are dormant.

This is when propagators make root cuttings - plant a piece of root about as big around as a pencil and about 4' long in a pot of sandy potting soil. However, people do dig up and transplat offshoots of Romney during the dormant season. If the soil is moist but not dripping wet you should try to dig up the offshoots and their roots with the soil still attached. The roots of these plants are super-sensitive, and the best way to transplant them is to fool them - don't let them know they are being moved.

Even with the best of care, some of the plants will die anyway. It's a funny plant, as it takes so long to get it going, but once you have it, it's hard to get rid of.

Good luck,

Lori</p>