Blue Poppies, part 2

[Lonnie]

This is mainly for Thunderbird+, but if anyone else finds it interesting, your welcome.

Ref my earlier post.

I subscirbe to 'Which' magazine, and I sent an email to their ggardening experts, asking the same question as in the earlier post, and this was their reply, in short.

The Northern regions have more success with Blue Poppies than the South, they like Acidic soil, and the Gardening expert who answered, said she lives in Suffolk, she hasn't grown them from seed, but has bought them ready grown, and has only managed to keep them going for one season, before they rotted and died.; I've now advised my wife to give it up.

[Robinia]

Sorry I hadn't seen your your earlier post Lonnie. Yes, these lovely plants seem to be quite difficult, they need a woodland setting & slightly acidic moist soil. Even in good conditions they don't live long apparently - I'm not speaking from experience, I just watch all the tv progs & buy lots of books!

[Thunderbird+]

Thanks Lonnie, It can be an expensive plant to try and raise, I think most people buy this plant for the novelty of its beautiful blue flower without realising how hard it is to grow. I take cumfort in the knowledge that I'm not the only guy who cant grow the thing. Cheers.

[momalito]

Can't help with the seed question, but I bought two small plants two years ago and they both produced flowers both that year and last year. Not sure what kind of soil I've got, but live in Scottish Borders. The cold and wet hasn't killed them (yet)! Hope they'll come up again this year.

[Thunderbird+]

Hope your blue popies continue to flourish momalto, your northern location and possibly hilly and acidic conditions, may go some way to mimic its natural home high in the himallayan moutains. Good Luck.

[Robinia]

yes, well done momalito!

Thunderbird, did I imagine it or have you turned grey overnight? :o)

[Thunderbird+]

Yes Robinia, I noticed that too, I think I'm now Fully fledged, as I'm sure our new friend mamalito will soon be too. I must admit I was a bit shocked when I saw your post, as my hair has been looking rather distiguished of late, but hey I can live with that!

[Plocket]

I've only just found this thread so sorry for the delay :o)

I was advised to cut off all buds for the first year of growing Blue Poppies, thus giving the plant a chance to establish rather than use all its energy making flowers and seeds. I bought a plant and duly cut off all the buds, and this year it has flowered magnificently after surviving the winter. It will be interesting to see whether it comes back next year bearing in mind your gardening expert said hers fotted and died after one season.

I hope this information doesn't come too late for you Lonnie.