How to propagate oriental poppies

Once you have planted up your cuttings and new shoots have emerged, wait a little longer (new roots are made just after new shoots), pot individually and plant out when they've formed a good root system.

Here's how to take root cuttings from oriental poppies.

You Will Need

• Sharp knife
• Seed trays or modules
• Peat-free seed compost
• Horticultural grit

Step 1

Lift a clump of the oriental poppy that you want to take cuttings from or just scrape away the soil around the roots.

Step 2

Trim off a good section of the roots with a knife.

Step 3

Cut the root into short lengths (around 2.5cm) and push these vertically into a seed tray, of compost, thick end up.

Step 4

Cover the seed tray with a thin layer of grit to improve drainage and water well.

Step 5

Wait until new shoots have emerged and formed new roots, before potting up singly.