Peonies are cherished for their voluptuous, romantic blooms and lovely fragrance. While peonies are typically propagated from root divisions, you can also grow peonies from seeds inside dried seed pods collected from spent blooms. With proper care, peony seeds can develop into unique new plants.
Why Grow Peonies from Seeds?
Growing peonies from seeds allows you to produce one-of-a-kind blooms Peony seeds will not produce true-to-type clones of the parent plant. Instead, they create new variations This is an exciting way for gardeners to discover distinctive flowers.
When to Collect Peony Seed Pods
The ideal time to harvest peony seed pods is in late summer or early fall after the blooms fade. Look for the seed pods to turn brown and dry. They will crack open slightly to release the ripe peony seeds.
Act promptly to gather seed pods when they appear mature. Otherwise, you risk losing seeds to birds critters, and weather. If needed, tie small mesh or nylon bags around developing seed pods to catch seeds as the pods split open.
How to Extract and Store Peony Seeds
After picking dried seed pods, carefully open them to remove the small, shiny black peony seeds. Place the seeds in water to test viability. Discard any floaters, as they are sterile.
Viable seeds that sink should be rinsed in a 10% bleach solution to kill any mold spores. Allow seeds to dry thoroughly on a paper towel before storage.
Place dry seeds in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stored properly, peony seeds remain viable for up to two years.
Strategies for Planting Peony Seeds
Peony seeds require exposure to warm and cold temperatures in order to sprout. This natural cycle can be replicated indoors or out.
Outdoor planting – In late fall, sow seeds directly in prepared garden beds. The winter cold will stratify the seeds, allowing them to germinate when soil warms up in spring. Site should have full sun to part shade.
Indoor planting – In late summer, plant seeds in containers filled with sterile potting mix. Place the pots in a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator crisper for 10-12 weeks. The cold mimics winter. Remove bags in late fall and set containers in a sunny spot around 70°F to trigger germination.
Vermiculite bag method – Place seeds in a zipper bag filled with moist vermiculite and peat moss. Store bag in a 70-75°F location until roots form. Refrigerate bag over winter. Plant sprouted seeds outdoors in spring after the last frost.
Caring for Young Peony Seedlings
Allow 2-3 years for seedlings to establish roots before transplanting into the garden. Hold off on removing flower buds so plants direct energy to root development.
Seedlings appreciate well-draining soil amended with compost. Mulch to conserve moisture. Water during drought. Provide support for floppy stems. Divide congested plants every 3-5 years.
Troubleshooting Peony Grown from Seeds
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No sprouting – Ensure seeds underwent warm and cold periods. Scarify very hard outer seed coat with sandpaper if needed.
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Leggy seedlings – Increase light exposure gradually to avoid shock. Rotate plants to prevent stretching toward light on one side.
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Leaf drop – Reduce watering frequency and increase air circulation. Rule out pests or disease.
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Failure to bloom – Allow at least 2-3 years for young plants to mature before expecting flowers. Avoid removing buds.
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Weak growth – Test soil pH and amend if needed. Rule out overwatering, pests, disease, or nutrient deficiencies.
The Reward of Growing Peonies from Seeds
Though it requires diligence, starting peonies from seeds allows you to increase your collection at no cost. Plus, the variation in blooms from seed-grown plants is intriguing. Follow these tips for gathering and sowing peony seeds from spent flowers in your garden. Soon you’ll have unique, gift-from-nature blossoms to enjoy.
Key Takeaways:
- Peony seeds produce one-of-a-kind plants, not identical clones.
- Collect seed pods in late summer or fall once they brown and crack open.
- Sow seeds outdoors in fall or give indoor-started seeds a cold treatment.
- Allow 2-3 years for young plants to establish before transplanting.
- Provide optimal growing conditions and avoid prematurely removing buds.
- Be patient for the reward of distinctive blooms from seeded peonies.
Growing peonies from seeds takes time but is worthwhile to gain free, fascinating plants with their own personalities. With attentive care through the initial years, your homegrown peony seedlings will soon develop into a captivating flowering addition to your garden.
What to Do with Peony Seed Pods
Harvested peony seeds can be planted immediately, directly in the garden or indoors in seedling trays or pots. Peony seedlings require a cycle of warmth-cold-cold in order to produce their first true leaves. In nature, seeds are dispersed on warm late summer to autumn days and quickly germinate. By winter, they form small, but suitable, roots. They lie dormant through winter then burst forth as spring warms the soil. To mimic this natural cycle, peony seed trays or pots can be placed in a drawer in the refrigerator for about three months, then placed in a warm, sunny location. Another space-saving method of peony plant propagation is to place harvested peony seeds in a plastic sandwich bag with moist vermiculite and peat. Keep the bag closed and place it in a dark location with an average temperature of 70-75 F. (21-24 C.) until roots begin to form in the bag. Then place the bag in the refrigerator’s crisper until plants can be planted outdoors in the spring.
Harvesting Peony Seed Pods
When grown from seed, peony plants will not form into true types. Forms of asexual propagation, such as cuttings or divisions, are the only way to produce true clones of peony cultivars. You may, however, produce unique bloom variations by propagating peonies from collected seed. Herbaceous perennials are slow to mature, taking 5-6 years to produce. Tree and Itoh peonies will mature much quicker when grown from seed. So when should you remove peony seed pods? Peony seed pod harvest is performed primarily in fall. They should be collected when the seed pods turn dark brown and leathery, and slightly crack open. To ensure that you dont lose seed to birds, small mammals or forces of nature, tie nylon or small mesh bags around maturing seed pods before they split open. After collecting peony seeds, place them in a bowl of water to test their viability. Floaters are sterile and should be discarded. The viable seeds that sink should be rinsed with 10% bleach.
Growing peonies for cut flower production
FAQ
Can you grow peonies from cut flowers?
Peonies are beautiful plants that can be propagated through cuttings taken in late summer or early fall. In this blog, we will explain how to take peony cuttings.
Will peony seeds germinate?
Peony seeds require very little water to germinate and resent overly wet conditions. The starting medium need only be lightly damp to the touch.
Can peonies self-seed?
Peonies will often self sow around a parent clump, but to insure good germination here’s my simple suggestions: 1. Plant seed as EARLY as possible after they ripen. Even if the seed pod is just barely split open, remove the seeds and plant them.