I would like some information on when to gather and dry poppy pods. I am selling mine from last years crop on ebay at my daughter's insistance. I had no idea the things that they sell on ebay until she set me up an account.So far I have sold about two hundred dollars worth and would like to plant more this year for the purpose of selling them. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, flowerlady[/b]
I have three Oriental poppy plants that bloom profusely every year and set pods for gathering. The plants usually "die back" when hot weather hits, but the pods are fully "cured" have turned a very rich, golden brown by then and are ready for cutting, using in dried arrangements or selling. The plant leaves sag to the ground when going by, but the stems/ pods stand "at attention" unless stems are somehow broken. Now, our heat is DRY, DRY, DRY! I see you're in Alabama, probably have tremendous humidity at times. You can, in that case, cut the pods on stems about 12 inches long (or shorter), tie the stalks in bundles and hang UPSIDE DOWN in a dark, warm place with good air circulation..like a garage or attic..til they are thoroughly dried. Don't cut the pods as soon as the petals drop or you may get mildewing on them due to "greenness", wait til they've shriveled in size a bit: THEN, they're ready! You may also want to encase the bundles in large brown paper bags, tied loosely around stems, with "trap doors" cut in all four sides sides (for air circulation) so they'll catch the seeds that, invariably, will drop as pods dry. These can be saved to swap or plant! Good luck in your venture, Weeds n Seeds
