Poppy Seeds - Breadseed
(Papaver somniferum) Self-Seeding Annual. 55-65 days to maturity.
Breadseed Poppy is a beautiful classic flower. Early to impress in spring's cool season, be sure to sow your seeds close to a window and have a comfy seat ready to admire the colourful deep scarlet red poppies. The Belle of the garden!
Save your seeds for baked goods; bagels, breads, cakes, and middle Eastern delicacies, yum!
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Growth Habit: Upright growth up to 4 feet in height, branching stems with feathery leaves and 3-4” flowers. Self seeding.
Sun Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Average, moist, well-drained soil.
When to Plant: Direct seed in Spring when soil can be worked
How to Plant: Direct sow seeds on the soil surface and lightly tamp them without covering them. Keep the seedbed moist. Seeds should germinate in 21-28 days. Thin to 6” apart when true leaves appear.
When to Harvest: Harvest fresh flowers in early Summer and dried seed heads in late Summer.
How to Harvest: For fresh arrangements, harvest when buds are swollen and showing colour. Sear end of stems with a flame. Cut flowers last 2-4 days. Gather the dried seed heads in late summer for decorative dried flower arrangements. Harvest the seeds for culinary uses.
Uses: Poppy is a beautiful, though short-lived, cut flower. Seed heads are also beautiful in dried arrangements. Poppy seeds are edible, high in calcium and have many culinary uses.
