Step 2: Starting
Meconopsis does not respond well to transplanting, and at the best of times germination itself can be tricky. It’s best to always start with fresh seeds.
Strategy 1: Sow the seeds on the surface of sterilized seed starting mix, that has been moistened in advance, in coir or peat pots. Keep these under bright lights at 12-15°C (54-59°F) and only water from below. Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged. Sowing in peat or coir pots may reduce transplant shock. Transplant outdoors into a humid, shady spot after the second pair of true leaves has emerged.
Strategy 2: Vernalize the seeds. Sow them thinly on the surface of gritty compost or perlite in trays. Mist the trays before wrapping in plastic and inserting them into the refrigerator for 3 weeks. Then bring the tray out and try to maintain a temperature of 12-15°C (54-59°F), under bright lights. Allow the second leaf pair to emerge before gently transplanting into well drained soil in 10cm (4″) pots. Grow the plants on until August before transplanting them to their permanent spots. They should bloom the following year.