Q.poppy plants
Our poppies stems have been infected and the flowers have dropped before they have opened. We bought an ornamental poppy last year and it had 3 flowering stems. As they grew, we noticed a black mark about 2/3 up the stem on one of them, which grew larger and the stem above the mark began to wilt. Eventually, the stem above the mark collapsed before the flower appeared. This year, although the foliage appears to be healthy, the same thing has happened and the two flowering stems have wilted and the flowers dropped off before they came out. Is this some form of blight or caused by insects? Should we throw the plant away?
Many thanks
This could be a fungus or even watering issues that cause the stems to fail.
Damage caused by people or pets could also cause the stems to fail.
Look for any other signs of disease on the leaves.
The link below will help you determine if it's a fungus issue.
Avoid over head watering.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/poppy/growing-poppy-flowers.htm
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FLOWERS/DISEASE/virus.html