the time from sowing seed till flowers is 15-17 weeks you do the math

Well for a more courteous answer, LOL.

Here in zone 7 my little neighbor that has beautiful poppies each and every year says to direct sow them in February. So for you in zone 9 I would say if you are wanting the blooms in the spring you could probably direct sow yours in January or still even in February. Also how she recommends direct sowing them is by tossing them on the ground where ever you are wanting them then lightly press. Now I will also mention her area is amended so she isn't just tossing them on bare dirt.

If you were to go by the guidelines stated above it would make no sense, each plant has various germination rates. Various time from germination to bloom. Not all plants are the same.

stross, with your heat + humidity, you may want your poppies blooming early while still cooler. Direct sow in Fall in Z9. Using the above math (still makes sense to count), you might want to wait until after Halloween. In my Z8 where I will have some occasional freezing temps, I sow Nov, Dec, again in Jan or Feb - about three sowings for a longer succession of blooms. While keeping in mind it isn't hot enough here to spoil the plants as will happen later in the season in your zone, if you have adequate seed you might consider sowing more than once at three week or so intervals.

Thanks for the responses! morz8, I think I will try your "sowing more than once at three week or so intervals" to see how that works. countrycarolyn, I will follow the "lightly press" method you recommend! :-)

To be honest stross I never thought of doing that to have longer blooms, so I may try that also. It is a good idea!!