Hi ALL! I live in Maryland (Zone 7b) and I wanted to try growing Oriental Poppy 'Coral Reef' from seeds (Aimers perennial). I have never had luck with growing anything from seed--I usually get some kind of dampening off disease and my seedlings never transplant well. The directions on the package say poppies do not transplant well so directly sow them if possible. But the nighttime temps have to be above 50 degrees.

I work at a garden center and it has been so mild up until last week. I'm just worried if I sow them now, it will get to cold, but if I wait it will get too hot too fast and/or yhey won't bloom this year. I live in an apartment with a small patch of land I can plant in so I may not be here next year to see them if they come back and finally bloom next year.

Any thoughts or advice from someone who has experience with this variety would be greatly appreciated. It is such a gorgeous flower!

Thank you everyone!