Organic gardening 2025

[akroberts]

I will have to check into getting some peonies growing. I would prefer to start it from seed.

 

[Branching Out]

I will have to check into getting some peonies growing. I would prefer to start it from seed.

For several years I have been growing herbaceous peonies from seed, under the guidance of a mentor from the Canadian Peony Society. Growing peonies from seed is a long game, taking about five years from seed to bloom. The seeds need to be sown in July or thereabouts as they need several months of warmth (summer), followed by several months of cold (winter conditions.) If all goes well they will put up one-and only one- leaf come spring. That leaf must be protected at all costs, as if it gets damaged the plant will perish. So far my peonies from seed are doing great-- but I am running out of real estate to plant them in. I have dozens of small plants that will each need a LOT of space to grow, and once they bloom decisions will have to be made to determine which ones that are worth keeping. Also, it can take several years for the flowers to bloom 'true' which adds another piece to this complex puzzle.

Last summer I sowed seeds of woody peonies for the first time, and their first red leaves are emerging now. With woody peonies it can take even longer (sometimes two years just for the first leaf to grow). I would suggest that if a 5-7 year peony project is your goal, order quality seeds from one of the peony societies and give it a go. But if you are hoping for armloads of peony blooms in a year or two acquiring a root division in the autumn may be a better idea. Peonies should only be divided in the autumn, and are best planted in the autumn as well because they only grow roots during the cooling temperatures of fall. https://www.peonysociety.org/wp-con...s/members/111/17469/Peonies-From-Seed-APS.pdf

 

[flowerbug]

... With woody peonies it can take even longer (sometimes two years just for the first leaf to grow). I would suggest that if a 5-7 year peony project is your goal,

when i was doing my tulip project that was about the same time frame for flowers from some of them.

 

[ducks4you]

I will have to check into getting some peonies growing. I would prefer to start it from seed.

Don't bother. They are cheap to buy as a single bulb, plus you will have flowers Next year from the bulb.