Dealing with large poppies?

BML

I have a few very large poppies and the leaves are just falling.  Do I just let them rot or should I cut them back and while I'm at it can I use the seeds next year? 

Fairygirl

The seeds need to be viable by being on a living plant. If you chop the stem - game over.
Many people leave them as the seed heads are very attractive anyway, especially as the flowers don't last very long. You can  then remove the heads before they open if you don't want them seeding. 

Posy

Are they annual or perennial poppies? With the latter, the leaves do die back early and as they go brown, can be cleared away. Some regrowth will appear later. The seeds can be collected and planted or left to take their chances as you wish but they will only grow if they ripen on the plant.

Hampshire_Hog

Just let the plant do it's thing if you want the seed then the pods need to be left on to ripen and dry then I take them off with a long stem turn upside down in a brown paper tie and hang in a cupboard at home needs to be dry and warm.

After a few weeks take the bag give it a good shake and most of the seed will fall out then I direct sow where I want them they often don't come true this way but some of the colours that you get are amazing and of course the bees love them.

BML

Many thanks for all of that useful information. I will let it do its own thing.  BML

Lyn

My giant perennial poppy is sterile, giant seed heads, no fertile seeds. It has to be propagated from root cuttings.