I'm pretty sure the seeds need to be frozen for a bit before germinating - I dunno how long. I once propagated a bunch of them by waiting until the seed heads dried completely, then shook them out on the snow. They sure do look like small thistle plants when they start up, which can be confusing when spraying for weeds.

Beautiful! I have two in my backyard which have not bloomed yet either. I started some from seedlings this year But they weren't big enough to take to the swap yet. I transplanted them to a bigger pit. If they survive, I'll be able to bring some to the swap next spring.

My first one opened yesterday, Marj - how fun is that?? Thanks for the photo!

They're SO pretty! There are also wonderful BRIGHT RED ones, and a soft salmon-pink one! ALL so pretty!

Misty, I just want to be sure you know they're summer dormant! Don't freak out when the foliage starts to "go away" after they finish blooming--and it could possibly start to do it even before they quite finish--especially with this sudden hot weather! They're not dying! Water "normally" like you do with your other perennials that aren't dormant. Depending on the fall weather they may (or may not) grow some new foliage when it cools in fall. Either way, they'll be back next spring when it's still cold out!

If you decide you want more of exactly the same one, remind me before the Fall Swap and I can bring you a sheet telling how to propagate them from the roots--but you WILL need to remind me! I'll never remember it by myself by then!

Enjoy,
Skybird

I love poppies, but, too bad they really don't like me I can't get them to grow for nothin! I'll just have to live vicariously through those of you who can grow them.

Thanks for the reminder, Skybird! I have known they'll die back, but I usually get some new foliage when the weather cools again. I'll take you up on reminding you about the propagation sheet!! Would love to have that :) Too bad it sounds like it's difficult to do so from seed, as the blooms are just full of them! My first bloom is already disintegrating, but have a couple more buds on this plant as well as a couple of others in different plants other two other places in the yard (I thought I had dug up the whole plant and transplanted it, but this one that has bloomed first was where the plant was originally. So some of the root was still there and sprouted).

The pic I took did not do the color justice, btw. I think that bright red/orange through off the color balance in the camera! Cool, Amester, that yours bloom the same time mine did :)

Marj

I also have a couple of oriental poppies that are probably too small to bloom this year. My Iceland poppies are doing good though.