Growing Papaver Somniferum Poppies

I've never done this before and have no computer experience. So I would appreciate constructive criticism or any advice as I don't even know what a blog is. Laughs! Thanks!

Uv done a fab job Hawk with ur 1st Blog :) The Pics r lovely ,It is Possible to write/type between the Photos if u want 2, I also love Poppys & have sown loads of different types for next yr so hopefuly theyl look as great as yours :)

Good blog Hawk5760.
I'm sure lots of members will be grateful for your advice on growing poppies.
Maybe you could write a blog, advising on how you grow poppies from seed.
A GoY member has kindly sent me some poppy seeds, so any advice really helpful please.
Sow them in what type of soil ?
At what temperature ?
How deep into the soil shall I place the seeds ?
Welcome to GoY.
Enjoy. :o)

You have some lovely Poppies there, and I suspect you have lots more photos to show us! I have three Oriental Poppies in my garden, which come up reliably every year. Shame they don't last long when they are so beautiful!

Welcome to GOY by the way, from me.

Your poppies are lovely, you did a good job doing this blog, anyway welcome to GOY.

There's lots on here with little computer experience like me too. Learning all the time.
Well done. I enjoyed your blog and the photos. I hope you'll show more.
Here's another welcome for you !

Wow thank you all so much. I think I've found my home. The warm welcome is overwhelming. I'll be back this evening to start revising and customizing. Sincarely, James

These were all lovely poppy photos, they are a delightful plant.

I'm a new member, and I was amazed at the warmth of the welcome, and the number of countries where the members are.

I have had to learn blogging as I have gone on, frequently having to shout HELP to the husband who is more computor literate than I am.

I have made the descion to only plant from now on, things we can eat!

Hi Hawk - welcome to GoY! Growing so many varieties of Papaver somniferum I was just wondering whether the different varieties come true from seed? I have the usual single pink sort, but I will be sowing some ones with nice raggety petals in the spring - will they continue to come true in following years or will they cross breed and I'll end up with all single ones again? Thanks!

Hi sid. Since I have limeted growing space I'm forced to grow them together. Usually about 98% are pollenated before they bloom. But I still go out early every morning when they are blooming and self pollinate them with a small artist brush. But I've only been growing them for 3 years. And it's a job since the way I plant I have blooms every day from April 1 till mid June.

How are they polinated before they bloom? Do you remove the petals? Seems a shame if so, but I know it's necessary if you're trying to breed new ones...

The little stamens are touching the crown, there for self pollenating themselfs before they open. Usually the ones that get crossed are deformed and the stamens don't develope right,(less than 5%). I don't ever cross pollenate. If I see one without stamens(deformed) I will take pollen from another flower of the same strain. Mostly I just make sure all the rest are self pollenated.

thanks for the info........am going to try growing poppies for the first time and appreciate any advice

I get poppies 'popping' up all over the garden and not one of them is because I put it there... They are lovely.

You are truely blessed. Probably blew over from a neighbor. Most of the people I have known from Europe or the surrounding area like UK to Greece have said they find them just out and about. They like cool climate. But when it gets above 87 F most will start to wilt.

Hello southernwoman, I'm working on writing new plant n grow instructions. I have general instructions on my listings but I'm working on a more detailed one.

thanx..........will need your help.....never have grown poppies before

Hawk - many thanks for that - very interesting and informative!