The peony thread was becoming rather large so I am beginning a new one for fern leaf and their hybrids since there are many members growing them.

This is my first bloom this year. About 3 weeks early from normal.





This is a division from my heirloom double passed down from my wife's grandmother about 35 years ago. Not certified as the species FL but appears to be identical to the one bought from a major grower. I now have several divisions from the original.

It looks too close to the original that I don't doubt its authenticity as a double fernleaf specie. The short growth, the habit, the fine leaf match the specie. Why would you say that is not certified?

It's beautiful, Jerry. Hard to believe it is blooming already this year. Wow!

The only plants I call true to name are those purchased from known expert growers. In this instance, I have a true species double FL purchased from HSFF. This is a hand-me-down. The grandmother emigrated from Germany when a child and immigrants are known to bring plants from the old country. It may or may not be a truly original species FL but I must call it a heirloom.

I think your hand-me-down peony that has been in your wife's family for a couple of generations has just as much of a chance, if not better, of being a true species fernleaf than the big peony sellers, Jerry. Have you ever grown any from seed?

I have not had any seeds from them because I deadhead the blossoms when they begin to wilt. Gives the plant a chance for more vigor the next year. I have had some seeds from the singles but never had any luck or patience with them. I may have some seeds to give away if things go well this summer.

I have posted this link before but it is worth reading even though it tends to be a bit too scientific and dry. According to these experts, the double red does not naturally produce seeds. I may try some hand pollination just as a test try.

http://www.peonies.org/P_tenui...

with Liz! Yours maybe more true to the original double fernleaf than even those sold by big peony sellers. But you are right. Since you are not sure of its origin as a specie, I guess it is best to refer to it as so.

I really would like to cross the double fernleaf with the pink fernleaf this year. Hopefully, I get a flower from the pink fernleaf peony for pollen.

Hi Jerry!
I adore the fern leaf peonies and was lucky to be given two tiny starts from an old friend. I in turn have shared. Mine are just coming up.
Is it possible to grow them from seed? I always wondered, but deadheaded too.
Thanks for the link. I skimmed it and bookmarked it to read it later.

Karen,
That sounds neat. And, there's a pink version? Oh my, I see in the link there is!

Jerry, I am so happy that you have blooms. Keep posting photos of them.
It is amazing that you are three weeks ahead of previous years' bloom times.

Keep an eye on the APS seed too, if any of you are members. There's nice fernie seed there too. It's a great opportunity to score some neat stuff.

I had mentioned reading about the double fern leaf not producing seeds from random pollination. I cut the first double bloom to see if there was a way to pollinate them manually. I spread the petals away from the center and saw the pistils?? which were buried deeply beneath the petals. I will give some crosses a try and see if the doubles will produce seeds.

for photographing the pistils of the double fernleaf. I have never seen it as I did not attempt to pull back the petals of the blooms from last year. Good luck to you! I hope the pollination takes and forms a seedpod.

That sounds fun,Jerry. Where will you get some pollen?

I have several singles plus a rosea which may bloom this year. The trick is timing for fresh blossoms of different species.

Or consider freezing pollen.

Jerry,
I can't wait to see if you get anything from the crosses.

I have seen a lot of written discussions of preserving pollen when I was involved with the iris forum. That was always a big deal with crossing various cultivars. I could never get into that routine due to my age and lack of interest. I would, however, like to cross the double red with the rosea in hopes of creating a double rosea. Probably not feasible but it doesn't hurt to give it a shot.

This is the first of the singles to begin opening. The most mature planted in '09.

Jerry,
We'll need progressing photos. There's nothing like the redness of an open bloom.