Elka Poppy - Organic

Elka
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Elka Poppy - Organic

Papaver
Open-pollinated. Annual. An unusual double-purpose poppy sporting enormous seed heads up to 1½" wide and 2" high in good years, somewhat smaller in drought. All the heads are now unvented so that the seed is not broadcast. From Chrenovec in central Slovakia, where families used to grow both the black Breadseed poppy and white-seeded Elka, and collect 50 kilograms of each for a year’s cooking. When walnuts became widely available in stores, Elka almost completely disappeared. Lacks the distinctive flavor of the Breadseed variety but sweeter and nuttier, with none of the bitterness, and over 50% more oil content, making perhaps the best edible oil in central Europe. Staffer Emily Skrobis tested three different batches of poppyseed filling in making hamantaschen and loved Elka the best. Plants grow 4' with white-lavender single blossoms, like calcium-rich soil, don’t transplant well. For best results thin to at least 5–6" apart. Some folks tie a group of plants together for support against wind breakage. Isolate from other poppies by at least 250' if you wish to save seed. 1995 Fedco introduction. ①
OGThis item is certified organic


5350 Elka - Organic
Item Discounted
From		 Quantity
A: 0.1g for $2.65   
B: 0.3g for $4.55   
C: 1.2g for $6.95   
D: 6g for $15.25   
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Additional Information

Poppy

~1,400 to 4,500 seeds/g.

Annual. Sensuous luxurious flowers, about 2½–3' tall. We offer two heirloom breadseed varieties especially suitable for baking. Poppies make wondrous cutflowers: choose buds that have straightened up but not quite opened. Immediately sear the cut stem with a flame and put in water. Poppies open after several hours—an austere bouquet in the evening can become a riot of colors the next morning.

Culture: Need light to germinate. Sow outside in spring after frost or sow in fall for early blooms the following summer. Thin to 9–12". Like full sun. Will self sow.

Flowers

All flowers are open-pollinated except where noted.

Days in parentheses after a variety indicate days to first bloom.

Germination Testing

For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.

Our Seeds are Non-GMO

Non GMO

All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.