Each year we collect seeds from our compendium of Northwest Cultivar Group ( rockii ) tree peonies . you’re able to govern them on our site or send us $ 12 to get 25 right after they are picked in late August . ( Price include postage . ) We also have circumscribed number of other peony come for sale . Please see our web site for full entropy . Get your request to us soon , we can only supply seed a limited number of come each yr .
Late August to early September will be the time to collect this year ’s peony germ . Most peonies have seeds that can grow , so if you forgot to take the pods off the industrial plant all summer , you could try growing peonies from seeds . Peonies put forward from seed do not come true to the parent plant , though they may strongly resemble it . Almost all cultivated tree and herbaceous peonies are crossbreed far remove from their wild species ancestors . Peony seed that were only cross-pollinate by one species of peony are the only one that do n’t have to come after this rule .
Intersectional hybrid ( Itoh ) paeony are unfertile and do not give viable seeded player . alas some garden favorites like the advanced herbaceous hybrids ‘ Coral Charm ’ and “ Lois ’ Choice ’ are also infertile . Most European and American ‘ lutea ’ intercrossed tree diagram peonies , like ‘ Leda ’ and ‘ High Noon , ’ do n’t make seed that can grow . However , these are only a small part of the peony world . Most Chinese and Nipponese Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and herbaceous peonies grow large amounts of fertile seeds that are quick to be picked and planted soon .

The adorable ace - shaped seedpod are get bigger and starting to change color from a leathery green to a chocolate-brown colour . cum are quick to be harvested when the seedpod has work a dismal tallow - brownness . We generally harvest our tree peony seed here between the third week of August and early September .
The seeds are ready to be picked when the come pods are benighted brown and just starting to crack open . unfold up each section of the seed pod carefully and slay the semen . damage seeds will not germinate .
When peony semen are fully ripe , they go through a dual - sleeping operation . The seed have a operose outer coat and an embryo that is dormant . Germination go on when air and water are able to penetrate the seed coat and reach the embryo . There are many different methods for part peony seeds . Some are based on the seed ’s natural Department of State , like its level of dormancy , while others are found on the grower ’s choice , like whether to put the seminal fluid in the earth outside or within .
When seeds are picked sweet , they may sprout in the same time of year ( late fall ) and get into a small fleeceable shoot above the dirt the next spring . If you implant dry seeds with a hard , wry seed pelage , it may take two grow seasons for the plant to naturally get over the double - dormancy . These come shown below are harvested a little too presently . We now know that it ’s better to hold off to pick brown and pitch-dark seeds . If you do , the seeds will easy mold if they are n’t cure and dry out a bit .
constitute new tan , brown , or black seeds mighty into flaxen loam , garden soil commingle with a little excess grit , perlite , or aged bark chunk to aid the dirt drain . The pH should be near 7 . 0 , which often means adding some garden lime tree to sweeten the soil . Either plant right away in a cum bed or habituate pots with just drainage hole , 10 - 12 ” in diameter . We choose Henry Clay potful or root control bag for seeding , though plastic pots will knead .
Plant seed about 1 - 2 ” apart , 2 “ deep , and water supply well to settle in . ejaculate preference does not seem decisive ; the rootlet will notice its elbow room downward . We will subside the pot into the garden bottom at Cricket Hill Garden to keep it safe during the winter . take a site that is half sun , half shade . Cover over the seeds with 2 - 3 inch of mulch for protection from squirrels . If late summer and surrender weather condition is hot and dry , water sporadically to prevent drying . commonly , this is not involve after September in our mood . afterwards in dusk , in late November , lend 2 - 3 more inches of mulch for wintertime shelter .
In a perfect world , the fond atmospheric condition in tardy summer will help the source sprout , and the cool atmospheric condition in the gloam will facilitate the roots grow until it freeze . Nothing will show above land degree until next leap . Some semen will not germinate until the second spring . Do not be impatient . Tree peony seed spate have died before they should have , only to sprout and grow in the compost pile ! If after two years and two springs nothing shows , it ’s likely that the seed did n’t sprout . This is often the character when you let the seed dry out out while germinating . So the first declination is very critical to have some wet in the seed pot .
Before the ground freezes again in the natural spring , take off the mulch from the pot and leave it in the garden . Observe any newfangled growth by May . If you want to grow sprout , you should irrigate them and flow them a mild liquid plant food like Neptune ’s Harvest fish - seaweed plant food every other month from April to September . Young sprout will be about 2 ” tall .
Move young seedlings ONLY IN THE FALL . countenance them to mature undisturbed until September of their first year . After the first class space to about 6 ” aside in the garden .
In the crepuscle of their third year , young plant can be moved again to a more lasting spot . Give each plant at least 4 to 5 groundwork of space ( 3 feet for herbaceous peonies ) . For tree peonies , choose a well - drained spotlight that beat 5 to 6 hour of sun . Tree peony seedling will often start to flower in their fourth yr . While herbaceous will sometimes bloom in their third year . Keep in mind that peonies sometimes take several years of green flowers before they show their mature form .
We have found this ‘ direct ’ seeding method very effective for seeds of Northwest Cultivar group Chinese ( P. rockii ) Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree peonies such as ‘ Snow Lotus ‘ and herbaceous peonies . With the steps below , it may be easier for seeds from other intercrossed groups of tree diagram peonies to spud .
open up freshly reap seed pods as described above . Some growers do n’t start the seed pods aright away after pick them . Instead , they let them bring around in a brownish paper bagful in the service department or another cool , juiceless seat for a calendar week . After a week , cautiously unfold the seedpods .
post the ejaculate in a zippo - lock suitcase of somewhat moist hunky-dory sand or vermiculite . Put the bag in a warm plaza ( around 80 level ) . We use the top of our refrigerator . In 4 to 12 weeks , roots may pop to spring up . Once they do , the shoot seeds ( which can be found by a white rootlet stick out ) can be set outside as report above , or they can be put in the electric refrigerator for 3 month at 40 degrees ( the vegetable crisper is a skilful position for this ) .
Once the seeds have sprouted , they can be institute in pots and grown indoors under lights or slow out of doors in instinctive sunlight . A note of circumspection , the protruding rootlet is very delicate , so manage with precaution when planting . If seed do n’t sprout after the first round of hot / inhuman social stratification , do three month of treatment at a lovesome temperature ( around 80 degree ) and then three month at a frigid temperature ( 40 degrees ) .
Peony seeded player which have a black or morose Brown University in colour and have a unvoiced seed coat . No matter what , if you establish these seeds outside , it will belike take two growing seasons for the right premix of water , heat , and bacteria to interrupt down the seed pelage and let air and piddle reach the embryo . We recommend scarify the come with a file or average sand newspaper publisher . Two or three passes is all that is needed to lightly fret the seed coating . See the photos below .
In guild to speed germination , the seeds can be scarified . This is a method of physically crack down the out seminal fluid - coat . We apply a rather course file .
It ’s only necessary to make two or three light pass with the file . live on too deep will ache the conceptus . If you file the cum down to the point of the white-hot interior , you have give-up the ghost too deep . Filing so that you withdraw the outer visualize if ordinarily enough . It is only necessary to file a small section of the source . A dilute solution of sulfuric window pane can be used to scarify large spate of come . you could plant seeds right out after scarifying the flat coat if it ’s still former evenfall and the soil is easy to ferment .
If plant indoors , follow the instructions for lovesome / cold stratification in the section for planting sassy seeds .
Some of the beautiful tree diagram and herbaceous paeony we have raised from seed . They ’re really the work of the bees and the idle words , but we call them our own Peony Heaven hybrids .
Peonies are darling garden flowers that get in a wide range of colors and manikin Both tree peonies and herbaceous paeony give rise seed pod in late summertime that arrest workable seeds These can be harvested and planted to distribute unexampled paeony from seed . But when is the optimal prison term to plant peony seeds for the just germination rates ?
Understanding Peony Seed Dormancy
Peony seeds have a double dormancy that must be overcome before they will sprout This consists of
Together these dormancies forbid seeds from pullulate immediately and reaching vulnerable seedling phase during harsh wintertime conditions This is an evolutionary adjustment that see seedling come forth at the most favorable time
In society to sprout , peony source must experience particular sequences of warm and moth-eaten temperature to break this double quiescence . When you set the seed influences how farseeing this ingest .
Outdoor Planting in Fall
The well-off and most innate way to germinate peony seeded player is by lineal outdoor planting in late summertime or early fall soon after the seminal fluid ripen .
Advantages
Process
This mimics how seeds self - sow in nature . The late summertime warmth initiate germination appendage . The winter coldness thenstratifies the seeds . last , bound warmth awaken the embryos to sprout .
While easy , this approach requires longanimity as full germination can take up to 2 years . But allowing seeds to overcome dormancy course results in vigorous seedlings once they do emerge .
Indoor Planting in Late Winter
you could castrate the time to sprouting by by artificial means retroflex outdoor temperature cycles indoors .
The tardy winter start exposes source to summerlike warmth flop aside , initiate sprout . The cold period satisfies chilling requisite . This condense the process so sprouts issue after just one season .
Scarifying Seeds for Faster Germination
you may further pelt along up the procedure by manually scarify very severely , fledged peony seed before planting indoors .
Scarification create openings for water to fall into place the seed coat so sprouting happens faster once planted .
However , take tutelage not to exaggerate it as an injured fertilized egg will not grow . gently scratch just the surface is enough to help step on it germination along .
Grow Peonies Any Time with Tissue Culture
While seeded propagation is rewarding , you could short-circuit germination challenges entirely by purchasing tissue cultured peony get-go . These are cloned plantlet from fledged plant life that bypass the seed stagecoach .
So while planting peony seeds in fall is a simple way to generate new plants , you have choice . With planning and preparedness , you’re able to grow peony seeds class around ! Time your planting wisely and soon you ’ll be honour with a flower of beautiful , nostalgic blooms .
Growing Peony From Seed Part 1
FAQ
How long does it take to grow a peony from cum ?
Do I need to hock peony cum before engraft ?
What month is best to implant peonies ?
Will peony bloom the first class planted ?
How do you grow peony from seed ?
you could purchase seeds or you could allow the germ pod on your paeony to mature fully . Once they turn brown and break open open in the spill , scoop out the seed . Place them in halfhearted water and toss out any that ice-cream float . Then , plant them right away .
When do tree diagram peony seeds ripen ?
come are ready to be harvested when the seedpod has plough a dark tallow - brown . We in general glean our Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree peony seed here between the 1st and 3rd weeks of August . A good seed acquire tree paeony can yield over 50 seeds per pod . The herbaceous seed are ready a bit afterwards , around the ending of August . An almost good herbaceous peony seed pod .
When should you constitute paeony ?
Peonies are typically purchased as bare roots , planted in declension a few weeks before the first hoarfrost . Starter plant can also be purchased from nursery in spring and planted as soon as the filth warms . Do Peonies bloom the first year you plant them ?
How long does it take to grow paeony from seeds ?
In closing , growing peony from seeds can be a rewarding but time - ware cognitive process . It typically takes 1 to 3 months for the seed to germinate , but in some cases , it may take even longer . Patience , a period of moth-eaten stratification , and proper concern are key factor in successfully growing peonies from seeds .