California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are stunning wildflowers that paint the hillsides of California bright orange. Their satiny petals and delicate fringed centers make them a favorite in wildflower gardens.
While poppies readily self-seed collecting the seeds to spread in new areas of your garden or to share with friends can extend their beauty. Harvesting poppy seeds at the right time and in the right way ensures you have viable seeds for years to come.
When to Harvest Poppy Seeds
Poppies produce long, narrow seed pods that turn from green to tan as the seeds inside mature. The best time to harvest the seeds is when the pods turn tan and the seams along the pods become very pronounced.
Check inside a few pods to make sure the seeds are dark brown which indicates ripeness. If the seeds are still greenish, the pods need more time on the plant.
Poppy seed pods will split open spontaneously when fully dry in a process called dehiscence. You’ll hear them popping open on hot afternoons! Once open, the seeds are flung out, dispersing naturally around the parent plant.
To capture the seeds for harvesting, collect the pods when they first start to turn tan and store them in paper bags in a dry spot. The pods will continue to dry in the bags and pop open over time, releasing the mature seeds inside the bag for easy collection.
How to Cut Back Poppies for Regrowth
Poppies are actually short-lived perennials and can bloom a second time in one season if cut back after the first flush of flowers and seeds.
Once the seed pods are forming the foliage often becomes elongated and grayish-green. Powdery mildew can develop on the leaves and stems. While not very pretty the mildew usually doesn’t affect blooms.
When about half of the seed pods have turned tan and started dehiscing, it’s time for a mid-season chop! Cut the foliage and stems back to about 2 inches above soil level. Don’t worry about damaging the crowns – poppies regenerate well from basal growth.
Discard the cut foliage or add it to a compost pile. The plants will send up fresh new leaves and stems, often blooming again by fall, though less profusely than the first spring bloom.
How to Store Harvested Poppy Seeds
Check seed bags regularly for any insects feeding on the seeds. Earwigs in particular like poppy seeds! Remove the seeds from the bag as soon as possible and place in an airtight glass jar or ziplock plastic bag.
Label the container with the plant name and harvest date. Store poppy seeds in a cool, dark place to maintain viability. Stored properly, poppy seeds remain viable for 2-3 years.
If storing for more than a year, put the seeds through a couple cycles of refrigeration and freezing over several months to help break dormancy. Poppy seeds have inherent dormancy that aids natural dispersal in the wild. The dormancy must be overcome for successful germination in gardens.
How to Spread Poppy Seeds in Gardens
Poppy seeds need light to germinate. Broadcast them on bare soil in late fall or early winter to mimic natural dispersal. The seeds will lie dormant over winter and sprout the following spring.
Make sure to prepare the planting area first by removing weeds and debris that can impede tiny seedlings. Rake the top 1/4 inch of soil to create a fine seedbed.
Water the seeds in with a gentle spray to settle them into the soil surface. Keep the area moist, but not saturated, until seedlings emerge.
Space seeds 6-12 inches apart to account for the mature size of the plants. Poppies don’t transplant well due to their long taproots. It’s best to sow seeds directly in place.
Cover seeds lightly with sifted compost or fine mulch like cocoa hulls if rainfall is insufficient to keep them moist. Remove any mulch gently once seedlings emerge.
Growing Conditions for California Poppies
Poppies thrive in full sun and average garden soils with good drainage. They tolerate clay soils but require good drainage to avoid root rot. Add compost when planting to enrich the soil.
Established plants have good drought tolerance. Water new plantings regularly until plants become established. Mature plants may need occasional watering during very dry periods.
Poppies grow 1-2 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Space plants 6-18 inches apart in garden beds and borders. Poppies mingle beautifully with other California native wildflowers like lupines, sunflowers, and clarkia.
How to Save Poppy Seeds for Future Years
Collecting seeds from your healthiest poppy plants each year helps propagate your most robust genetics. It also provides an ongoing free source of these classic beauties for your garden.
When sowing collected seeds, use fresh seeds first for highest viability. Mix in some older stored seeds as well to ensure multi-year propagation. The variation in dormancy helps maintain populations over time.
Seed collecting lets you share these iconic flowers with gardening friends too. California poppies are the perfect introduction to growing native plants. The seeds sprout readily, grace gardens with color quickly, and self-seed for years of enjoyment.
Enjoying Gorgeous Poppy Blooms
As the California state flower, golden poppies hold a special place in every gardener’s heart. Their fleeting blooms herald the arrival of spring. Collecting the seeds prolongs their legacy in your garden and beyond.
With proper timing for harvest, careful processing, and attentive storage conditions, home-collected poppy seeds will bring joy for years to come. The vibrant blossoms, carefree growth habit, and self-seeding nature makes poppies ideal for both new and experienced gardeners.
Let California poppies weave their golden magic through your garden. A little seed harvesting diligence in summer will ensure an abundant poppy superbloom next spring!
Frequency of Entities:
California poppy – 18
poppy – 24
seed – 21
pod – 7
harvest – 10
bloom – 7
flower – 3
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Harvesting California Poppy Seeds
FAQ
When should poppy seeds be harvested?
What do the seeds from a California Poppy look like?
Do California poppy seeds need to be harvested?
The California poppy is a prolific self-seeder, so harvesting seeds for later use isn’t a necessity! Still, it’s an option if you’d like to keep seeds for other projects or to prevent them from self-seeding. To harvest the seeds, watch until the pods have begun drying out and splitting open.
How do you grow California poppy seeds?
Directly sow California poppy seeds in a sunny, well-draining spot with sandy soil. California poppies’ ease of growth starts at planting time. As they don’t like to be transplanted, it’s best to direct sow wherever you want the plant to stay for the rest of the season.
How do you propagate California poppies?
Propagating California poppies is best done by sowing seeds in the spring. California poppies do not like to have their roots disturbed. Also, once cut, the flowers and stems of the plant quickly fade. California poppies are fast growing. It takes about 55 to 90 days for California poppies to mature.
When to harvest poppy seeds?
Harvesting poppy seeds too early may affect their viability and ability to germinate. You can tell when pods are ripe by shaking the stem. If the pod rattles, it is a good indicator it is time to harvest. Usually this is 80 to 90 days after planting. Identifying when to harvest the seeds is only part of the equation.