Collecting Himalayan Blue Poppy Seeds

Hello all

I was very lucky this year as I bought 2 small Himalayan Blue Poppy plants. Last month I woke up one morning to this beauty!



I've ended up with a display of at least 10 of these! My favourite plant that I've always wanted. Highlight of my gardening year (so-far!)

To business. I now want to collect the seed ... Both plants have loads of seed pods however, when I broke one off to have a peak inside, the seeds were a translucent white colour ... I think they should be black?!? So should I wait for the pods to open naturally then collect/raid the seeds? Or alternatively are meconopsis b. Perennial so should I just cut back and keep my fingers crossed for next year? ( However, I would still want to collect seed)

I don't want it to self seed as it hangs over the lawn a little, so the seeds will be mutilated by the mower. Also, with the difficulties people have germinating these, I want to try a number of techniques & experiment in germinating them

Any help in how/when to collect would be appreciated! Many thanks.



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Also interested in this. I have one, not sure if it will flower this year though.

 

Most poppies have a seed head with a sort of 'lid' on them, as this develops it lifts and creates a pepper pot type top to release the seeds. If the seeds haven't already been shed, when the pod has ripened the seeds should rattle inside which will tell you they're ripe. Other than that take the pods off earlier and leave to ripen on a sunny window sill until they rattle or start to shrivel. As you say, they will be brown or black when ripe. If you pull the lid off when ready you'll be able to tip the seeds out.

 

Thanks Sheal. This is probably a very silly question, however will cutting the seed pods off early stop the seeds filling up with any goodness that the plant is producing?
Also, to feed on your knowledge a little more, are meconopsis annual or perennial?

Many many thanks.


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I've taken pods from the large oriental poppies (Papaver) before and after they've fully ripened and had no problems with them germinating or growing healthily. However I have not grown them directly from seed in the garden but propagated them myself and grown on to plant out.

I haven't grown them but I think the species in general are perennials.

 

Meconopsis can be annual or perennial, depends on the variety & growing conditions,
seed heads should be left on the plant until ripe.

 

Spotted one that had opened a little & was curious so couldn't contain myself & opened it up. Still have about 10 more seed heads so plenty to go.

Seeds now a light brown, so will wait a bit longer.

I'm looking at sowing indoors & direct so will see what happens ...


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An update - the seed pods opened ... Here's a pic - you can just see two flaps that have opened creating the pepper pot type description earlier. PLENTY of seed!!




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The seed looks perfect Zappa! It's amazing how many the pods hold.