Can you get the seeds of the big poppies (papawer) to re seed?

i've not heard this. usually the seed they produce will grow; but it may not be identical to the original plant.

HI Doon,
According to my gardening book the Papaver (Oriental Poppy) should be "propagated by dividing clumps in Spring or by taking root cuttings in Winter". Mine have never reseeded themselves unfortunately.

I have certainly grown them from seed, i collected out of curiosity.

Seaburngirl - Can you tell me when did you plant the seeds and did you use a greenhouse? I wouldn't mind trying that this year.

You should be able to grow them from seed as I've just looked through a seed catalogue & there are two lovely varieties for sale. P.Orientalis is most often reproduced by root cutting so that you get the same plant. If you grow them from seed you collect yourself you will end up with all kinds of plants & colours.

Any advice on collecting, storing & planting the seeds will be appreciated please, as I'm quite a novice at growing my own.

Thx people for answering my question, it is appreciated, will then take the clumps this Fall & break them up to make sure I get the same colour.

Doon, unless your clumps are overcrowded & flowering badly, I suggest you take ROOT cuttings. You only need to expose a couple of the thick roots instead of digging up the entire plant & then dividing it. Cut them off & then into smaller pieces which you can put in a seed tray with a rooting medium.

OMG Balcony I don't understand, do I get the root with a bit of the top green growth on, or..............sorry but I have never done this. My friend wants this special one in my garden & the plant is 3 yrs. old. So I can just do it now, or in the Fall?? HELP!!!

Don't worry, Doon, I've got just the site for you!

Go to the Gardener's World site & you will find guides there that will help you.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/propagation_rootcuttings1.shtml

As I don't have a plant of my own I can't help you with more details but the guides & videos should help you.

Good luck!

Great stuff Balcony, I got it, what a great site. Thank you. i never would have thought U could do that, amazing stuff.