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California Poppy seed case?

17 years ago

I planted California Poppies in a large tub last Fall, and they have bloomed beautifully this Spring. (I live in California, which probably helped!) I'd like to let them broadcast their seeds in a natural way, but I'm such a newbie at gardening. Most of the flowers are spent, and on each stalk there is now a green, narrow, pointed cone-shaped thing that I am assuming is the seed case. If it is, will it just split when it is ready and broadcast its seeds? Or has that already happened in some other way? Any information will be appreciated. Thanks.

Comments (4)

terran
17 years ago
That is the seedpod. It will swell a bit, dry, and then split when the seeds are ripe. At that time you can collect seed to broadcast, or let nature take its course.

Terran
organic_tosca
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you, Terran!
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williamcartwright
16 years ago
I don't know how California Poppies do elsewhere, but in my hot summered interior valley of Los Angeles (SFV)if you wait for the seed pods to "split" you will be way to late to "harvest" seeds, as they literally explode casting their seeds a considerable distance.

The key is to wait till the pod turns from green to straw brown. Then pick the pods and but them in a paper sack, as they can still "explode". I've had many pods "go off" in my hands as I picked them. It can't hurt you, but it is startling.

I usually let the pods sit for awhile in the bag and then hard open any which have not opened themselves.

OK, and if you are in anydoubt if the seeds are ready for harvest, you can open some up. If the seeds are still greenish, they are still immature. They should be black.

We have a sea of California Poppies at our home and they are quite beautiful.

Bill
phamkeegan_yahoo_com
12 years ago
Can you use the seeds in cooking?

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