Poppy field ploughed up

[RobinP]

My favourite poppy field has just been ploughed up, oh well, I expect they will come up again next year, at least there is lots of food for the assembled flocks of gulls and corvids.

[coasty]

The amazing thing about poppies is the robustness and long lasting ability of the seeds. and their ability to quickly colonise new areas, Hence there appearence after WW1 on flanders field and the subsequent adoption of them as a symbol for the fallen in that war. Dont worry I am sure they will be back.

[Walwyn]

I'm pretty sure that poppies favour disturbed soil.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Walwyn

I'm pretty sure that poppies favour disturbed soil.

Yep! the seed need light to grow.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Poppy seeds need the soil to be disturbed to allow germination. If the soil is not turned over the vast majority will lay dormant in the soil until the next time the soil is turned over. Poppies only have a lifespan of one year i.e. they are an annual.

Cheers,

Adam

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by coasty

The amazing thing about poppies is the robustness and long lasting ability of the seeds. and their ability to quickly colonise new areas, Hence there appearence after WW1 on flanders field and the subsequent adoption of them as a symbol for the fallen in that war. Dont worry I am sure they will be back.

Two years ago we had a wonderful "poppy field" locally. I was amazed
as that field had been managed intensively with modern farming methods
for at least 25 years and I'd never seen poppies in it before to add to the
seed pool.

Reading about suggested that the seed pool lasts from, 17-50 years
with an annual decline of about 9%.

Which didn't really seem to fit with my experience .............

[coasty]

From a purely common sense and personal experience viewpoint of been a gardening enthusiast,,, The general rule would be the smaller the seed the longer they last and they dont get much smaller than poppy seeds....

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by coasty

From a purely common sense and personal experience viewpoint of been a gardening enthusiast,,, The general rule would be the smaller the seed the longer they last and they dont get much smaller than poppy seeds....

I take it you haven't seen orchid seeds then?

[mrs fish]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

I take it you haven't seen orchid seeds then?

If they are smaller than Poppy seeds then NO, and I would need a magnifying glass