Giant Rattle Poppy ' BOWLING BALL'
Papaver Somniferum

Product Description:

Papaver somniferum The biggest rattlepods we’ve seen! Bowling ball isn’t too much of an exaggeration when describing this poppy’s seed head, but tennis ball size is closer to the truth. Fleeting, pink-petaled blooms fade to developing the enormous pods on sturdy, 36–48 inch tall stems.

For the largest pods, direct sow the seed in late summer to fall, and the overwintered crop will yield magnificent crops for a statement in dried arrangements
 
Details:
Plant type: annual
Height: 36-48”
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80-90 days
Plant spacing: 12”
Approx seeds per packet: 100

How to Grow:
Sow on the surface of the soil, or barely cover seeds. Thin to a minimum of 6" apart.
Poppies are easy to grow and the self-sow with abandon, without becoming weedy. Simply pull up unwanted plants (an easy task) before they bloom, or better yet, let them tell you where they want to grow. They will thrive for years at a time in surprising spots, like a crack in the driveway. Other times, they simply won’t take, no matter how much you try. Keep them moderately well watered in hot, dry weather, and do not fertilize.For the largest heads on Papaver somniferum, sow seeds in the fall or early winter. Thin plants to allow them some space, and keep the area weeded as plants grow larger. Grow this variety in full sun in well-drained, but ordinary garden soil. If spring and summer are cool and damp, or plants are over-crowded, expect smaller seed heads.
 
Harvest:
Pick in the cool of the early morning or evening when the buds are just starting to break open. Poppies last just a couple of days in a vase but they are productive plants so harvest frequently to keep the blooms coming. Sear stem ends in boiling water for 20 seconds to prolong vase life and place immediately in fresh clean water.
To dry, simply hang upside down in a warm, dry place out of bright light for 2 weeks.
 
Vase Life:With a proper care 3-4 days