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Oriental poppy problem
Scottiedog23
Posts: 11
hi hope someone can throw some light on my problem which is the lovely fat buds on an otherwise healthy appearing oriental poppy get cut marks on their stems which leak black sap and obviously weaken the bud which then shears off! 
Cant see any insects on the plant.
has anyone had this happen and found the reason?
otherwise I'm giving quite a lot of space to this poppy and getting no flowers
not happy
many thanks for any suggestions
0
Posts
Well yes we are in sunny Cumbria!
The ground is relatively free draining but we've definitely had plenty of rain also so could be the cause. The damage to the stems which looks as if it has been cut or similar caused me to think it was things other than weather but I have no idea what that could be so thanks for your advice. If they didn't dislike being moved I would try that but am a bit reluctant to disturb them.
Yes I agree if there is more chance of better flowering in a different area of the garden I will move them. Not a lot of point in leaving them as they are.
Better luck next year perhaps
Well yes we are in sunny Cumbria!
The ground is relatively free draining but we've definitely had plenty of rain also so could be the cause. The damage to the stems which looks as if it has been cut or similar caused me to think it was things other than weather but I have no idea what that could be so thanks for your advice. If they didn't dislike being moved I would try that but am a bit reluctant to disturb them.
I have never seen anything like that on poppy stems and I have grown them in relatively wet and dry ground. Are there any plants or supports or barriers that could be damaging the stems when they move in the wind? Could children have caused a problem? A picture might help, but it foes sound more like physical damage than growing conditions.
Hi, I don't have anything around them such as supports and children are grown up so no footballs etc in the flowers anymore!
I felt it was damage rather than growing conditions but really couldn't think what It might be.
Have taken a picture so let's see if I can show you
Hi Scottie
There was a large article in last weeks Saturday Telegraph Gardening Section that talked about a specific problem with Oriental Poppies at the moment. It said that quite a few types have been lost. It said that if you run your hand over the foliage and it comes away then the plant probably has it.
Hate to say but it also said that there is nothing to be done. Hope for you that it isn't the same thing, but seems likely.
Ive just looked in the recycling bin to see if I could find the article but I'm afraid that the bin got emptied this week! I wonder if anyone else read it.
You might find it on line if you search for telegraph article.
I am sorry - that is new to me. I hope they recover, they were obviously growing well before.
Found it! It was in the compost bin! Can you read it from these photos? It even gives a phone number of a lady called Sandy Worth who is assessing which oriental poppies have survived and been post. The number is 01962 771 895.
Hi Tootles, many thanks for your help although the outlook seems dire.
I will give them a tug tomorrow and see if they come apart. I did think only the flowering stems were affected but maybe not. I don't know their name as we moved here two years ago and inherited these plants. I have other poppies which we brought with us which are growing fine so that does suggest it is not the soil or position. Although ours are the common orangey red and I think these others are a bit fancier and so may need different conditions.
I will try to get the Telegraph article online, thanks again