Matilija Poppy Tree

Matilija Poppies are quite drought tolerant yet still need regular watering. The tree should be watered deeply and regularly for the first two years after it is planted, especially during summertime. After it is established, water occasionally but deeply during the summer and occasional deep waterings during dry weather in the fall and winter are recommended. They do not do well with overly wet soil conditions and should not be watered too frequently.

Matilija Poppy Trees need to be planted in full sun. It does best in areas with strong sun exposure and can tolerate periods of direct sun and stronger afternoon heat and light. Matilija Poppies also need to have well-drained soil that has been amended in order to thrive. Full to partial shade can also be tolerated, however the blooms may not be as abundant in shadier conditions.

Matilija Poppies prefer cooler temperatures to thrive as the bushes are tender when summertime temperatures reach over 90°Fahrenheit (32°Celsius). While they are winter hardy, blooms may not appear until temperatures reach above freezing. In general, temperatures between 40°F - 70°F (4.5°C - 21.5°C) is recommended.

Matilija Poppies do not require high levels of humidity but should have some. It is beneficial for the trees to have a medium level of humidity. If humid conditions are not available, misting the foliage once a week is helpful.

Matilija Poppies do best in soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. The soil should be fertile and very well-draining and contain organics like compost and manure. It should also be relatively loose in order to encourage healthy root growth.

Fertilization of Matilija Poppies should be done once or twice in the fall and spring with a general purpose fertilizer that is low in nitrogen. It is best to water the plant before and after applying the fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing during the hottest or coldest periods of the year and be sure not to over-fertilize.

Common pests that can be found on Matilija Poppies are aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, and stink bugs. If larvae are present in the soil, you can use beneficial nematodes like Steinernema carpocapsae or Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. In terms of treating the bush for other pests, a spray of neem oil or insecticidal soap should help to reduce the pest population. If necessary, you can also dust the foliage with horticultural flour or diatomaceous earth.

Matilija Poppies should be repotted every 2-3 years when they are young. During the later years, when the plant has become established, it should be repotted only when necessary and only when the soil has become depleted. With well-draining soil and a pot with good drainage holes, repotting does not need to occur more than 2-3 times in a plants lifetime.

Most pruning should be done in the spring in order to keep the plant from becoming too giant and out of shape. In terms of actual pruning, it is important to remove any dead, damaged or diseased branches. Doing this yearly can help promote healthy growth and keep the shrub in a more controlled size. In addition to health related pruning, occasional thinning or spacing out of branches and flowers should be done as certain varieties of this plant tend to get crowded bushes.

Mulching around the base of Matilija Poppy should be done at least once a year. Mulching should be done with organic material such as leaves, pine needles or wood chips, and should be kept away from the trunk of the plant by at least a few inches. This will help maintain soil moisture and keep weeds away.

Propagation of Matilija Poppy Trees can be done primarily through stem cuttings. When attempting to propagate through stem cuttings, select straight and pliable stems that are about 4-6 inches long. Cut the stem just below a node. Place the cutting in a container with well-draining soil that has been pre-moistened and place the container in a location with plenty of bright light. Keep the soil and container moist and the cutting should root within a few weeks.

Matilija Poppies may need support when blooming as the blooms can become quite large and heavy. The branches can also become top-heavy and will need support so provide staking to the bush if needed.

Matilija Poppies do not need a rest period but it is beneficial to reduce watering during the winter in order to promote better blooms the following season. This should be done for about 2-3 months and watering should be done only if the soil has become too dry.

Matilija Poppies are not toxic to pets.