Meconopsis grandis (Himalayan blue poppy)

Japanese name: メコノプシス グランディス
Scientific name: Meconopsis grandis

[Overview]
A perennial 40–100 cm tall.
The whole plant is covered with yellowish brown hairs.
Orange sap comes out when the stems or leaves are damaged.
The leaves are simple and spirally alternate, oblanceolate and about 20 cm long.
The leaf margins are entire or toothed.
The leaves on the lower part of the stem have petioles.
The flowers are borne singly at the ends of stalks arising from the stem tip and from the leaf axils in the upper part of the stem, about 10–15 cm across; they usually have 4 petals, but the number of petals varies.
The petals are thin and wrinkled.
The flowers are blue, but the shade may be deeper or lighter, or reddish, depending on the environment.
There are 2 sepals, which enclose the flower in bud and fall as it opens.
The fruit is a capsule.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It is suited to cultivation in cool regions, and it is difficult to grow as a perennial on lowlands west of the Kanto region.
It prefers well-drained, moderately moist, fertile, slightly acidic soil.
It prefers a sunny site, but in the hot season keep it in a cool, airy place, such as under a deciduous tree or with shading.
Avoid places exposed to afternoon sun or places that dry out.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, but be careful, as root rot occurs easily in poorly drained soil.
In spring, when the shoots emerge, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
Slugs can be a problem.

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