The Snow Goose has landed. The very first poppy of the season is in bloom. Get a look at it and learn how to make a cut poppy last 5 days.
In a real move of dominance in the neighbourhood, I cut the first two poppies that were about to bloom in my front yard essentially robbing the whole neighbourhood of the first viewing.
Nobody will mess with me after that kind of move.
This particular variety is called Snow Goose, and I took a photo of it a few years ago that shows how spectacular it is when opened. But I wanted to show these photos of it just minutes after it bloomed.
It looks a lot like a pale pink rose.
Until I read Erin Benzakein's blog Floret and subsequently bought all of her books I didn't really know a ton about growing flowers. I did it and I liked it but I wasn't as maniacal as I was with vegetable gardening.
Then I read her book Cut Flower Garden and everything changed. And not in a subtle way.
In a 12 year old turning 13 year old sort of way.
It was in that book that I learned excellent tricks to keeping poppies alive for more than a day.
Table of Contents
The 5 Day Poppy Plan
- Cut the poppy when the shell covering the flower has just barely cracked. Don't wait for the flower to open before you cut it.
- Cut it in the morning because this is when it has the most moisture in it therefore it'll live longer.
- When you bring the poppy inside, cut the end again to the length you want the stem and then burn the end with a flame immediately*. The poppy stem releases a sticky sap that will clog it and prevent it from taking up water. Burning the end of the stem cauterizes it. (I use my gas stove but you can use a lighter)
- Put it in a very clean vase, with water and yes - one of those flower food packets if you have one. They do actually help add life to your flower.
* You can also recut the stem and put it in very hot water for a few seconds. You'll be able to see all the air bubbles releasing from the stem. Both methods have worked for me.
Day 1 - Cracked bud stage
Day 2 - Cracked bud stage (but a bigger crack now)
Day 3 - Shell will fall off, flower is revealed
Day 4 - Full display
Day 5 - Full display
Day 6 - You might get lucky, but generally this is where things start to go downhill.
In honour of the first bloom, today's puzzle is indeed the Snow Goose poppy.
The 15 Piece Puzzle
I am proud to say that completing a 15 piece puzzle took me over 1 minute. I say that because I'm guessing that's about average and there's nothing wrong with being average.
Being average means you're never expected to bring anything more than buns to family dinners.
The 80 Piece Puzzle
Because you are in fact, above average.
Cauterizing the stems works for using Poinsettias as cut flowers as well. Also works if you want to pick dandelions to make a bouquet for your Mother
Could swear I saw you in Maine yesterday!
Mmmm, nope. I was very firmly in Canada, lol.~ karen!
Love poppies! The Snow Goose is just lovely - when it first buds and again when it's open in all it's glory. Thanks for sharing.
I am curious as to what type of poppy you are growing. There are 3 main categories of poppies, oriental, Shirley and California poppies.There are lesser categories that are either rare or difficult to grow. There are some significant differences in the climate they each grow in, the care needed and possibly even how they behave as cut flowers.
I grew up in northwest Ohio and we could grow both oriental and Shirley. But now that I am in mid south Tennessee, my best bet is the Shirley poppies but even then it takes a lot of luck to grow them. I have to plant them in early January and cover them if we get a deep cold spell.
This is a perennial Oriental poppy. I grow Shirleys as well, but not this year. I've also had breadseed poppy seeds for a couple of years but never get around to planting them. ~ karen!
Such a soft pretty color. I will have to try that next year as all of my poppies have bloomed. I have one that has the double wavy petals like yours. Mine is the most brilliant red.. If you want some seeds I will be happy to send you some..
Fun puzzles..... I can't hear the word poppy without conjuring up the image of a wicked old witch laying a spell on this young girl who murdered her sister the minute she blew into town.
That's why I try to make my house so perfect for me. There's no place like home. ~ karen!
Randy, same! LOL!
clue - Toto
😂😂 Me too! I’m from Kansas, so I have a special place in my heart for that poor young girl! ❤️❤️