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Produce => Non Edible Plants => Topic started by: Grandma on June 06, 2011, 12:54:58

Title: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on June 06, 2011, 12:54:58
.... a poppy like this?

(http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/4968/bigpoppy01.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/829/bigpoppy01.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

I'm always happy to have flowers that just 'appear' in my garden - especially annual poppies. If they turn out not to be particularly petty they're easy to pull out! But this one - well! I've been watching it grow and grow; for a time I even doubted that it was a poppy! It's now nearly 5 feet tall and has made a huge plant! The leaves are a bit more 'crinkled' than a normal poppy - (you can see a couple of 'ordinary' ones in the foreground - they're about a foot tall!) - and it's smothered in buds - literally dozens of them!

(http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/2771/bigpoppy02.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/715/bigpoppy02.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Can't wait to see what colour it is and will be saving some seed for next year!
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: goodlife on June 06, 2011, 13:00:17
Ohh..that does look like one happy poppy..what a monster! :o ;D
I hope you post few photos of the flowers when they open up.
You haven't have a leak on you waterbutt by any chance..I'm just thinking if its had a plenty of water...
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on June 06, 2011, 13:10:38
Will take some snaps when the buds open, goodlife - I do hope it's not going to be all leaves and just scrawny flowers! Can't wait to see!

It does get run-off from the water butt - (and I clean the pond filters there, too, so it get lots of good 'sludge') - but so do the 'normal' poppies in front of it and they're, well, just normal!
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: chriscross1966 on June 06, 2011, 13:22:44
Looks like you'll get a decetn crop of smack off that  ;D

chrisc
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Gadget on June 06, 2011, 14:33:09
Looks like you'll get a decetn crop of smack off that  ;D

chrisc

that's just so wrong...lol
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on June 06, 2011, 16:14:38
OMG!!!  :o :o :o  Do 'naughty' poppies look like that? Have I got my own little opium den?

(Anyone know how can I make it pay??? Or will I get clapped in irons just for having it in my garden?)  ;)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Poppy Mole on June 06, 2011, 16:37:12
Are you sure it hasn't escaped from the little shop of horrors?
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Gadget on June 06, 2011, 16:42:07
OMG!!!  :o :o :o  Do 'naughty' poppies look like that? Have I got my own little opium den?

(Anyone know how can I make it pay??? Or will I get clapped in irons just for having it in my garden?)  ;)

I don't know maybe we should ask Howard Marks?? 8)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: saddad on June 06, 2011, 17:28:34
Well it's definitely "Papaver Somniferum"... an acquaintance once told me how to extract the sap to make the naughty stuff... but I've never tried... as you can tell from it's size it can become quite a rampant weed!  ;D
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on June 06, 2011, 17:37:37
Well it's definitely "Papaver Somniferum"... an acquaintance once told me how to extract the sap to make the naughty stuff... but I've never tried... as you can tell from it's size it can become quite a rampant weed!  ;D
You've got me worried now, Saddad! I'm only letting it grow for its pretty flowers, honest. :)


(but if anyone would like to order some seeds..................!)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: gwynnethmary on June 06, 2011, 17:37:37
we have these popping up in our lottie, but nowhere near the size of yours!
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: goodlife on June 06, 2011, 17:58:23
Grandma..there nothing to be worried about opium poppies..perfectly legal to grow them but as for the opium..well that's another story..but I shan't tell anybody what you might get up to .... ;)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 06, 2011, 17:59:48
I get them all over the plot, but they never get to more than three feet or so. You won't get much opium here, the sunlight isn't intense enough.
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: grannyjanny on June 06, 2011, 19:12:51
Robert I am shocked at your knowledge of opium production ;) ;D.
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Nigel B on June 06, 2011, 22:13:46
My bet is they'll turn out to be Pink and White 'Miners Ghost' or 'Hen and Chicks'....

Probably a fair bit nearer to the real Opium trade than most think...  :-X Not that one could grow enough of them to  do 'anything' of any consequence with.....
It's not that long ago at all, relatively, that Granny (Not you Granny-thingy) would keep herself a small stock of dried Poppy-heads to make a 'tea' with, to ease those Winter aches and pains.
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on June 07, 2011, 18:11:38
The first flower opened today - it's beautiful!  :)

(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8849/bigpoppyflower01x.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/405/bigpoppyflower01x.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

And the bumblebees love it, too!

I'll definitely be saving some seeds!
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: cornykev on June 07, 2011, 18:38:01
Save us some seed Grandma, after all you have always been my favourite on A4A.   :-* ;)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on June 07, 2011, 18:53:42
'Course I will, Kevvybabe - anything for you!  :-* :-* ;)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Poppy Mole on June 07, 2011, 19:20:16
Wow! that's gorgous.
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: cambourne7 on June 07, 2011, 20:00:24
Amazing flower would love to try and grow that :)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: goodlife on June 07, 2011, 20:21:47
Now then you two...there is definately something going on... :-\ ;)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on June 07, 2011, 22:43:50
I'll pm you for your address, Louise, when I have some seed.  :)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: saddad on June 07, 2011, 23:04:23
If anyone wants seeds I will have millions... from deep purple to white... singles and doubles...
you won't know what you have until the buds open....  ;D
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Weed-Digga on June 07, 2011, 23:08:31
Spectacular!!
Maybe good for sowing on those patches we haven't quite got around to cultivating yet?

Could I ask for some seeds please, I would send you a (an?) sae.

Weed-Digga
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on June 07, 2011, 23:46:46
I should have plenty of seeds, Weed-Digga!  :) I'll pm you for your address when they're ready.

It's a gorgeous plant - even without the lovely flowers - and, at that size, it's doing a good job of camouflaging that water butt! I'll be scattering seed on any bare patches for next year.  ;)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: darkbrowneggs on June 08, 2011, 00:27:43
That is stunning - If there are a few spare seeds....... :D

Sue
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: shirlton on June 08, 2011, 07:03:54
That is one beautiful poppy. I just love them. I cultivate them and Tony gets em up if I'm not looking. I have some danish flag poppies in the allotment flower border where he isn't allowed so they are safe.
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on June 08, 2011, 08:31:58
You're on the list, darkbrowneggs!  :)

 ;D ;D ;D at Shirl! You keep your eye on that Tone! Those Danish flag poppies are lovely! Poppies are one of my favourite flowers - I have lots of the perennial 'Oriental' ones - (lovely big splashes of colour!) - but the 'chance visitors' are always welcome!  :-*

Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Gadget on June 08, 2011, 09:59:14
That is one beautiful poppy. I just love them. I cultivate them and Tony gets em up if I'm not looking. I have some danish flag poppies in the allotment flower border where he isn't allowed so they are safe.

Shirl never heard of Danish flag poppies, my mum is danish and loves all things danish, can you buy commercial seeds which would be fun to put in her christmas stocking.. ;D
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: misfit on June 08, 2011, 10:43:14
wow thats a lovely looking flower, could i cadge some seeds if there is some spare please  :)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: brown thumb on June 08, 2011, 13:28:04
 :o wow what a plant absolutely gorgeous colour very envyouslove it
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Digeroo on June 08, 2011, 14:36:30
Lovely. 

I think you can also use the seeds on bread, cakes and bagels etc. 

I normally have Danish Flags coming up as weeds but do not seem to have one this year.   I shall have to buy a packet and start them off again, I think they have been self seeding for about 15 years.   Poppies are not a difficult weed, you just hoe up the ones you do not want.

Pods are nice in flower arranging, pick before they are totally ripe or pods will open and the seeds will be all over the house.  The birds also like the seeds so it is a bit of a balance to leave them long enough to dry but before they are eaten.

Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Digeroo on June 08, 2011, 14:38:48
PS I also love watching the bees swimming about in the flowers.  They seem to be in ecstasy.
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: shirlton on June 08, 2011, 16:51:30
That is one beautiful poppy. I just love them. I cultivate them and Tony gets em up if I'm not looking. I have some danish flag poppies in the allotment flower border where he isn't allowed so they are safe.

Shirl never heard of Danish flag poppies, my mum is danish and loves all things danish, can you buy commercial seeds which would be fun to put in her christmas stocking.. ;D

I cannot remember where I got them cos I have been saving my own seed for ages. Problem with that is that some of them are variants. I will be saving some more seed this year so if you cannot get them then I will let you have some of mine.
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on June 08, 2011, 23:49:23
You're on the list, misfit!  :)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: misfit on June 09, 2011, 08:57:06
You're on the list, misfit!  :)

thanks muchly  :) just let me know what you need to send them on  8) :)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on June 09, 2011, 09:23:25
Now then you two...there is definately something going on... :-\ ;)

Don't tell anybody, goodlife! I could be in enough trouble just growing my own opium!  ;)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Gadget on June 09, 2011, 09:40:09
[I cannot remember where I got them cos I have been saving my own seed for ages. Problem with that is that some of them are variants. I will be saving some more seed this year so if you cannot get them then I will let you have some of mine.
[/quote]

Thanks Shirl, you're just lovely.  :)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: shirlton on June 10, 2011, 18:52:29
You will have to remind me at the end when they are ready cos I tend to forget  ;D
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: irridium on June 11, 2011, 15:13:41
can i join you on this seed request pls? i always love the Rhoeas variety with their pearly delicate colours. i do like the newish Patty Plum styles too... i've got lots of perennials that i shall be dividing this autumn, just let me know if you are looking for something. thanks ;D ;D
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Growing4twins on June 25, 2011, 10:45:25
WOW oh WOW, what a beast!!!The flowers are gorgeous!  ive always loved poppy's & ive gone mental on buying seeds ready for next year.  If there are a few seeds left over from this i would love to have a few please Grandma.

Gadget, i got some danish flag poppys from Thompson & morgan in the sale this year.  i dnt think they are very expensive even @ full price.x.
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on June 25, 2011, 23:11:02
Hello Growing4twins! I'll pm you for your address when the seeds are ready. x
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: knottygal on June 25, 2011, 23:41:31
Absolutely stunning!
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Growing4twins on June 28, 2011, 23:48:53
Thx Grandma :0))
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Barkie on July 08, 2011, 12:19:11
I had these in my last garden and I was moving so I saved the seed. It was old seed by the time I got this new garden but I got a few last year and let them seed. I should get rosy-red/pink/lilac-lavender frilly and wavy. All being well I'll gladly pass seed on if you pm me.
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: GRACELAND on July 08, 2011, 14:56:34
Any seed left please only a few  :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: bridgehouse on July 09, 2011, 00:27:16
Grandma, please please could I have a few seeds as well if possible .
I have some pink double ones in the garden this year ,also the lovely large red one's ,I do so love poppies. but I have never seen one so beautiful as the one you have grown, well done.
   June
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on July 10, 2011, 08:24:09
GRACELAND and bridgehouse - you're both on the list, I'll pm you for your addresses when the seeds are ready.

Unfortunately the strong winds took out two of the main 'trunks' but this is how the remaining two looked when in full bloom.

(http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/1218/bigpoppyfullbloom.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/bigpoppyfullbloom.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Just think - it should have been twice as big!
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: brown thumb on July 10, 2011, 09:12:50
granma i would love some seeds as well if you have  enough to go round but make sure you have enough for the others first but if iam lucky  let know what i have to do postage etc :-*
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on July 10, 2011, 09:32:58
brown thumb - I should have plenty of seeds (fingers crossed for no more gales!) I'll pm you when they're ready.  :-*
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: brown thumb on July 11, 2011, 08:29:04
thank you very much iam keeping my fingers, toes and any thing else i can cross also for good weather as they are beautiful flowers
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: GRACELAND on July 11, 2011, 14:17:01
 :D

Thank you 
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: bridgehouse on July 11, 2011, 17:02:47
Thank you Grandma, thats very kind of you.
   June.[Bridgehouse]
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: cornykev on July 20, 2011, 14:34:34
Thank you for my seeds Grandma, while we're on a roll could you knit us one of them rainbow wollys.   ;) :-*
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: GRACELAND on July 20, 2011, 14:45:30
Thank you for my seeds Grandma :D :D :D :D :D

(http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv277/GRACELAND_01/Untitled3.jpg)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: brown thumb on July 20, 2011, 16:33:05
received the seeds to day thank you ever so  much sue x
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Linnea on July 20, 2011, 16:38:34
I don't spose they're are any seeds left?? I'd love some if there are
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on July 20, 2011, 17:06:29
I don't spose they're are any seeds left?? I'd love some if there are

Welcome to the mad, mad world of A4A, Linnea!

Yes, there are some seeds left -  pm your address to me and they'll be on their way! x
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on July 20, 2011, 17:17:08
Hello cornykev, brown thumb and GRACELAND - glad the seeds arrived safely and thanks for letting me know.  :-*

Thank you for my seeds Grandma, while we're on a roll could you knit us one of them rainbow wollys.   ;) :-*

If you're serious I could, kev  ;D - when I've finished the one I'm knitting for me! What size chest are you? (You can pm me if you're shy!  :-*)

Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: misfit on July 20, 2011, 18:32:15
mine arrived safely too, thanks again  :)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Weed-Digga on July 20, 2011, 20:14:26
Many thanks for the seeds, hope they grow to be as stunning as your poppy!

Weed-Digga
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on July 20, 2011, 23:11:39
Thanks for letting me know misfit and Weed-Digga. I hope they do well for you!
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Growing4twins on July 21, 2011, 13:44:48
Hi Val, i recieved my seeds yesterday in the post.  Its so nice to get something other than bills!! I cnt wait till next spring!!!  Should i sow them in the autumn for overwintering or leave it till the spring??
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on July 21, 2011, 16:14:42
Hello Growing4twins,

Glad to hear the seeds arrived ok!

Re sowing time - nature is doing it now, of course, but if I sow now I forget where I've put them or hoe them off or do other daft things so I wait until spring. They grow so quickly I don't think anything's lost by waiting :).

Hope they do well for you! x

Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: GRACELAND on July 21, 2011, 16:45:00
Hello Growing4twins,

Glad to hear the seeds arrived ok!

Re sowing time - nature is doing it now, of course, but if I sow now I forget where I've put them or hoe them off or do other daft things so I wait until spring. They grow so quickly I don't think anything's lost by waiting :).

Hope they do well for you! x



i will sow in about March  if weather is ok they soon come up
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: becky0129 on July 21, 2011, 17:40:03
Thank you so much for the seeds i cant wait till next year to start growing them


Becky
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on July 22, 2011, 08:21:02
You're welcome, Becky! Thanks for letting me know.
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Aden Roller on November 13, 2011, 11:19:52
And...... a great big "thank you" from me too!!  :)

A lovely envelope packed with poppy seeds landed on the door mat while we were out.

I'm really looking forward to seeing them grow next year.
Thank you!   :)
Title: Re: Have you ever seen.....
Post by: Grandma on November 13, 2011, 13:53:09
My pleasure!  :)
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