After all the care I took with my poppies, I let the seed pods dry then opened them up and they were empty! What happened to the seeds? Did the wind blow them away through the little vents in the top?

Catty

But catty, you're in Washington, not too far from me. Won't your poppies return next year? I never collect my poppy seeds, since they are perennials. They should be for you as well.

Is this the first year that you had them? If so, then fear not... they'll return.

Yikes, tree, I pulled the plants up! Do you mean they'll return from seed, or was I supposed to leave the plant in the ground?

Catty

Poppies, Poppies, Poppies - Ah yes a field of poppies - sleep - sleep...... (Wiz o' Oz)

Most likely your poppy seeds feel not to far from the plants and will return if the soil was not disturbed too much. Poppies self seed readily. Until 1937 they were considered a weed - thus they are usually the kind of thing that takes over.

Some poppies will regrow from the root the next year - perennial.

To collect seeds from poppies, onions, lettuce and other "fruitless" plants, after the flower starts to wither, place a paper towel around it closed with a rubber band. The towel will catch the seeds and still allow the inner moisture to escape.

You said you pulled up the plants, did the roots stay behind? If so they might return next year. If you pulled up the roots they may have to start from seed.

California poppies take over, they are a wild flower here and you can pull the half dead plant and the root remains in the ground - this may have happened for you????

David

Thank you, David. I got some root, but some may have been left behind. Next time I'll just cut them back. I remember the first time I crossed the Oregon-California border the fields of lovely California poppies. I love them, too, even if they do take over.

Catty

Poppies do look rather ugly when they are all finished, so I just cut mine right back. They are a spectacular sight each year. Don't be pulling them up, young catty dear!

Yes David. I also, like California poppies. They are so cheerful!

Ya nno spekk check is lousy when it comes to grammar - Poppy seeds feel - No FELL - Sheesh!

Dear David that is not grammar but usage. You simply used the wrong word. Beyond the reach of spellcheck! Nevertheless, I read it as "fell," so no harm done.

This for anyone who is using Word's "grammar" feature - be warned, it's often WRONG! Spelling, too!

The most important thing, David, is that we both knew what you meant.

I know it's annoying to the poster, but most times it's caught and not a prob. I'm like you as well! I hate seeing any of my typeo's -- and they are a'plenty!! LOL!!!