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Selecting annual poppies (was Hi, introduction +question(poppies) and Is the UK so much different?

There is no problem about growing opium poppies, Papaver somniferum, either
in the UK or the USA. American catalogues list the ornamental forms; I
don't think that the cops are stupid enough to arrest you for a growing a
clump of double opium poppies in your border - although if you had a field
full of one of the opiate-rich strains they might be more justified!

Selecting individual colours from poppies can be managed more easily than
has been suggested. Starting with a good mixture, like 'Mother of
Pearl'/'Angels Wings' or the semi-double 'Angel's Choir', sow two seeds in
each cell of one of those propagating packs (Propapaks or Plantpaks in the
UK); these have individual cells 1-1.5in across. I know this a bit fiddly
but it can be done. Germinate the seeds in a cold greenhouse, thin to one
seedling per cell and simply leave the plants, in their packs, on the
greenhouse bench keeping them well watered.

The plants will run up to flower, still in their packs.  As soon as the
first plants flower, decide which colour you wish to develop and simply
pull all the others out of their cells and dump them on the compost heap. A
single flower on just one of the seedlings you keep will produce more than
enough seed to repeat the process and generation by generation there should
be fewer and fewer off types. If you wish to speed up the process, you can
cover the whole pack with netting to keep out the bees (the plants probably
won't grow more than 9in in height) and pollinate the flowers youself with
a brush as soon as they open.

The tricky part comes when most of the seedlings are beginning to come
true; after all, you've only been selecting for flower colour. Grow the
plants in a block in the garden (with no poppies anywhere nearby) and space
them sufficiently widely to judge their habit of growth. Look carefully at
the plants as they develop and as well as refining the colour, pull out any
that run up to flower prematurely and save seed from those which branch
well and flower for a long time.

And finally (having given away these trade secrets!) - if anyone does
develop any poppies in separate colours... please let me know.

Graham Rice
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