The most commonly used method for propagating tree peonies by seed, and why Lanyao advises you not to use it

27. The most commonly used seed propagation method for tree peonies, which Lanyao advises you not to use - you'll understand after reading!

This is an excerpt from Lanyao's original "Tree Peony Cultivation" column article

Recently quite a few gardening friends have asked Lanyao how to sow tree peony seeds. We can also see many people online selling tree peony seeds. Compared with tree peony seedlings, buying seeds to sow is naturally the most economical option, and many tree peony nurseries also use seed propagation. However, Lanyao does not recommend buying seeds to plant.

Applicability of seed propagation for tree peonies

Seed propagation of tree peonies is mostly used in the propagation of oil peonies. Seed propagation produces a relatively large number of seedlings at one time and is suitable for large-scale seedling breeding.

Pros and cons of seed propagation for tree peonies

Although seed propagation of tree peonies is relatively fast, for ornamental tree peonies, using seed propagation easily leads to reversion to ancestral traits.

Not only is reversion to ancestral traits likely, but it also takes a relatively long time to grow them to the point of flowering - at least four or five years of cultivation. If it is home cultivation and management is not up to standard, then the time needed will be even longer.

How to carry out seed propagation of tree peonies

Before sowing tree peony seeds, they must first be pre-germinated. Soak the seeds in warm water at 50°C for 1-2 days, allowing the seeds to fully absorb water and the seed coat to soften, which can speed up seed germination.

Before sowing, mix the pre-germinated seeds with plant ash, which can increase the seed germination rate.

Sow the tree peony seeds into the soil, cover with about 2cm of soil, then cover with plastic film to keep warm and retain moisture.

The germination time of tree peony seeds is about 1 month. One month later, the tree peony seeds grow radicles but do not emerge. Only in February of the following year will the seeds break through the soil and emerge, and by March the young leaves gradually unfold.

So the time from sowing tree peony seeds to seedling emergence is quite long, and this is one of the reasons Lanyao does not recommend seed propagation.

If you have sown tree peony seeds and small seedlings have already grown, then Lanyao suggests you also do grafting. If you do not graft, seedling tree peonies often show reversion to ancestral traits, and the flowering time will be much later. For the specific grafting method, please keep following tomorrow's update.

(The text of this article is original by Lanyao, and the images come from the internet. If there is any infringement, please contact me to delete them.)

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