Can someone provide or direct me to some information on how to germinate peony and peony tree seeds? I was given some in a trade and want to try them.

Magnolialover might be able to best answer your question on that. I do believe she has done one or the other or both. I know it take a long time to germinate them, I'm thinking a couple years before you see anything. It's best to ask Mags, she'll know...

Thanks.

Germination of peony seeds is a long process.

In a soilless medium dampened with water, place your peony seeds. They need to maintain a temp of about 90 degrees F. for 10-12 weeks . PLaces where I was able to achieve this is the top of my pellet stove hopper and have heard that the pipe to the water heater also tends to be about that temperature.

After the time has passed, place in a temp of about 50 degrees. After 3 or 4 weeks check on them. In several weeks you will see roots develop. It seems to me I left them in this position for 6 weeks or so. You must see roots or the process has not worked.

After 6 weeks or so, then place in the veggie/fruit bin of your fridge. It is here where you will see leaf development. This is another process that takes a couple months. Keep checking on them.

I usually start my peony seeds in November. The process is long and it seems to be timed right for my region to be growing outside in June sometime, giving the roots time to develop in the pots and acclimate to the weather conditions.

If you ever wonder why the price of peonies tend to be a little high from growers, if you try this, you will see.

Hope that helps you.

When you see a leaf develop, you can plant them out in a pot. I leave my peony seedlings under a shade tree to harden off and transplant them in the early fall.

Also remember, peonies are patience plants. They can take 3-5 years or more to grow from seed to flower. Rewarding, yes.

I knew there was a post! on peonies from seeds!
I tried doing it like a WS , but then my initial temperature was just room temperature?
Now I'll try in bags of vermiculite, and at higher temperature at first.
A belated thank you for your post!

A question when you come on this forum???
From that description--you manage to get them through all of the cycles in one year?
Or does it take more than one year? I am starting later than you do?

Caroline, I have gotten through all of the cycles in one year. I think starting later, you still could do it. Though I have no direct experience in starting later. The temperatures are the toughest part, particularly the first segment.

Give it a try. It's certainly worth it.

I would not worry about the room temps. Several years ago I put seeds in plastic ziplock bags with damp vermiculite but forgot about them when they did not sprout in the Spring. Two years later I came accross the bag and most had sprouted and died. They had been just placed on a table with other things at for us normal room temps.

I expect the higher temperature would make the germination reactions take place quicker.
Will try that and see.

It's fun to try it and see, especially this time of year when not a lot of other stuff is going on.

There is a root on one peony seed!
Now to the frig for that one!

Good for you!

Late to this string but sounds very interesting! Do you leave the seeds in bags together until you start seeing roots? When do they have to be potted in this process?

I plan on potting them after the second warm period,--- if they send up leaf shoots.

Bumping this up to the top.

Just got seeds from the NARGS seed swap including several peony species.

P. delavayi
P. peregrina
P. rockii
P. obovata

Going to try for higher temperatures for that initial period.

Caroline

I have only got one or two to the root stage, and want to get fully fledged seedlings from these ! I have a box of sowings from last year which I placed out in unheated garage,---- so nature could take its course.
I won't know until it warms up as to what nature did!

Good Luck Caroline! I'm "rooting" for you!

I had mine in baggies in the fridge all winter, then put them in pots with lights beneath that heat the area to about 70F. They were there for a month or so and then back into the fridge. I will pull them out and put them in the dining room which is cooler then under more heat. Hoping that confuses them enough to germinate. My bulbils (lily) had huge roots and I put them in pots which are now sending up shoots. Same with iris seed. Plus some other seed is growing great only it isn't what I thought. No idea what they are? Just know it is way too soon for annuals other than the lilies and iris.