A beautiful stranger.......

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Aug 12, 2012.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    When I was starting to do some long overdue weeding yesterday, I spotted a poppy that had appeared at the front of my dahlia border, and decided to let it stay (lets be fair, anything that is remotely pretty that has managed to grow this year deserves to be allowed to survive!)

    Anyway, as if to reward me for its stay of execution, one of the flower buds burst open this morning, and it is a cracker!

    IMAG0026.jpg

    I fully intend on harvesting the seeds from it after it flowers (following guidance on how to do so, please?), and will hopefully have a lot more of them next year.

    With hindsight, I should maybe have put this in the ID section, as I only recognise it as a poppy - no earthly idea what variety though?

    Any advice for propagation, and positioning for future off-spring (or purchases) greatly appreciated.
     
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    • Jenny namaste

      Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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      As you know FC, I'm no expert but I do know what I like.
      And I like that - you did well to let it stay and it's worth a pose and piccie,
      thank you,
      Jenny
       
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      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        Thanks Jenny :)

        I must admit that I have never really considered poppies as being anything more than the red floppy petalled things that grew in abundance in the fields back home, so it was a nice surprise to see that one this morning.
         
      • Phil A

        Phil A Guest

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        Lovely FC:dbgrtmb:

        When the pod has dried you can stick it in a vase as a dried flower till you are ready to sprinkle the seeds next spring, or just sprinkle them into a paper bag if you want.

        when the seeds are ready, the pods open holes at the top.

        Poppies are avalanche plants, they will stay dormant in the soil for 50 years or more till its disturbed, then they grow quickly to get an advantage over other vegetation, so distub the soil when you plant them.
         
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        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          Thanks Zigs :)

          So dig it over before I sow the seeds? When is best to sow them, and do they want covered or just sprinkled on the top of the soil?
           
        • "M"

          "M" Total Gardener

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          What a beautiful surprise!
           
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          • Phil A

            Phil A Guest

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            If you're immitating nature then sow them when the pods open and then rake the area in the spring. But you might forget where you've put em so maybe rake them in in the spring.
             
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            • Fat Controller

              Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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              I'll keep them in an envelope and then rake them in in the spring - thanks :)

              Fingers crossed I get plenty of seeds :)
               
            • Phil A

              Phil A Guest

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              No worries:dbgrtmb:

              You'll get hundreds of seeds from that, I can make out 2 more flowers on the way too.
               
            • Penny in Ontario

              Penny in Ontario Total Gardener

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              Thats so pretty.....and worth keeping.
               
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              • Kandy

                Kandy Will be glad to see the sun again soon.....

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                Hi FC,your poppy looks like one of the Peony{sp} type with the double flowers some of which i have in my cottage garden plus strays over at the lottie:smile: I usually let my seeds fall when the pod has gone brown and crisp and the holes have opened round the top of the pepper pot and i either shake them onto the ground from the pod or collect them in paper bags to sow in the spring when the weather has warmed up:biggrin:

                You will find that the pepper pots carry thousands of seeds and as others have said once they are on the top of the soil they will soon germinate or will sit waiting for the right conditions before they germinate...

                Here is a link about them...:smile:
                http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/31/peony-poppies/
                 
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                • Fat Controller

                  Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                  Thanks Kandy :)

                  I think I am going to harvest the seeds and keep them in an envelope (this year, at least), that way I can sow them a little more selectively and spread the love around the garden a bit too.

                  Also, its sprung up beside a load of dahlias that I bought from Sainsburys, which I presume are annuals(?) so the whole border next to it could well be empty next spring anyway.
                   
                • Naylors Ark

                  Naylors Ark Struggling to tame her French acres.

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                  Isn't it nice to get a freebee and such a lovely one too.
                   
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                  • Sheal

                    Sheal Total Gardener

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                    They are Papaver (Opium Poppies) FC. Clueless sent me seeds earlier in the year and it's the first time I've grown them, a surprise was in store though with two different types. The 'pom pom' one I wasn't expecting. It looks a bit battered here as the wind had blown it down. They were both deep pink in colour, although they look red here. :)

                    Papaver (4) (Macro 250mm).JPG

                    Papaver (6).JPG
                     
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                    • Fat Controller

                      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                      Ooooh, pretty :) - I had no idea that there were so many varieties! The only thing I knew of as poppies were these

                      [​IMG]

                      Were they easy to grow?
                       
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