Comments on: How to Grow Matilija Poppy (Romneya Coulteri)

on 8/26/2006 Plant in a naturalized setting at the back of the landscape- this plant will spread in all directions and the leaves tend to brown near the ground, requiring something to be placed in front to conceal the leggy stems.

on 11/22/2005 I soaked the seeds for 24 hours. I gathered dead Christmas tree branches and dried oak tree leaves. I placed ordinary California soil on a fine, wire mesh (a flat, bacon grease spatter stopper). In my fireplace, I started a fire with the leaves and added pine branches. When the fire died down to a smolder, I held the the soil over the smoke for 15 minutes. I added leaves and branches as needed to keep fire going but only smoked over a low, smoldering fire. When the soil had cooled, I placed a coffee filter on the soil and placed the seeds on top. I covered them with another coffee filter and covered everything with a light layer of smoked soil. I then dampened it with drops of water from an eye dropper till it was wet. I covered it with plastic wrap and placed it outside to expose the seeds to temperature fluctuations in November. The seeds began to sprout 2 1/2 weeks later.