Oriental poppy problem

Pennyrsj

My oriental poppy looks healthy until the buds begin to open. The stems just under the flower start to ooze a sticky liquid which turns brown and seems to seal off the stem and cause the whole flower to drop off. Any ideas on why this is happening?

Loraine3

My oriental poppy has 2 flower stems about 6 inches long coming from the base with one flower on each.

BobTheGardener

@Loraine3 That is caused by the cold period during last winter not being long enough.  This can also affect tulips which will produce similar abnormally short stems in such a year.  It may be something which happens more often in the UK as climate change progresses, unfortunately.

Loraine3

Thanks, Bob