Can anyone identify this poppy?

[Phidell]

Hey, these poppies have been growing here for years and I'm wondering if they are papaver somniferum. They are growing from a tiny amount of soil so the few plants and pods are pretty tiny, so there's most likely not enough to use anyway, I'm just curious if they're active so I can spread the seed's.

[rocketman]

yes they are active im pretty sure. let them stay in the ground and begin die to harvest seed. that way you can be certain the seed is mature enough. the flower doesnt look like a papaver somniferum to me, but the pod certainly does.

[Phidell]

Thanks rocketman that was fast. And that's what I was thinking.

Do you think it's best to wait until the pods are fully dead/dry or is that not necessary?

[rocketman]

i would harvest the pods when they start to die. maybe a better way is to wait a week after they turn a dark blue color. after you harvest them, let them dry in the sun fully before cracking them open.

i think this will be a good time to get the seeds without worrying about the poppy venting the seed, which it does naturally after it dries out a while in the ground.

next grow season send me a pm and ill gladly give you some nice viable seed to with what you get from those.

[stormer88]

I've never bothered to dry them out in the sun before harvesting my seeds. All I do is wait for them to begin to die as Rocketman says and sporadically shake the pods. Once you start hearing allot of rattling inside you know the seeds are dry and ready to harvest. I suppose it dosn't hurt thoe.

I don't think the flowers look like opium Pap. Som either but I'm no expert. You should google pics of the various poppies and compare. Or maybe someone more knowledgeable than I can help with an ID.

[rocketman]

I am thinking it could be some hybrid. The flowers jagged edges dont make sense to me, unless it was bred for that. I would still say yes.

[Phidell]

Thanks for the input and thanks for the kind offer rocketman.

I guess theres one way to find out if it's active, should have enough of 'em next season.

[jwmyspace2000]

Originally Posted by Phidell

Hey, these poppies have been growing here for years and I'm wondering if they are papaver somniferum. They are growing from a tiny amount of soil so the few plants and pods are pretty tiny, so there's most likely not enough to use anyway, I'm just curious if they're active so I can spread the seed's.

those are somniferums,not hybirds,they are just over crowded. 1 plant per square foot.