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We have a number of large ornamental, shaggy-petalled poppies, mainly orange or red. Each year a black, tarry substance appears just below the poppy head. If left, the flower head eventually drops off. It leaves a sticky smear on the fingers when I try to remove it. I've used bug sprays which do not work. Any suggestions, please?
Thank you,
Tony Grange.




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Just joining this in order to see any replies

14 Jun, 2016

 

Sounds like opium to me. This is what they collect in the opium fields.

14 Jun, 2016

 

Are you sure? I thought it was derived mainly from the seeds and seed heads?

14 Jun, 2016

 

Opium is produced by the poppy head which leeches out latex. I'm no expert on opium but just assumed the stuff Blackfinger was getting on his hands was the latex. I can't imagine what else it could be.

14 Jun, 2016

 

it is the latex and discolours in contact with the air. a sap sucking bug is probably wounding the stem then it is 'bleeding' latex.

14 Jun, 2016

How do I say thanks?

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