Peony rose cuttings??

[NicW]

My neighbour has the most beautiful peony roses and I was wondering if it's possible to take cuttings from them? How and when is the best time if it is possible?

Thanks
Nic

[WendyC]

Are they paeonies or roses?

[NicW]

Paeonies I think, sorry, she called them that, excuse my dreadful spelling?!

[veggiechicken]

There's a huge difference in the propagation method between paeonies and roses
I'd hate you to be told the wrong one - so, are you sure they are paeonies?

[bearded bloke]

Peonies.Best way is to save seed & plant that in pots,but it a VERY slow process,it took 5 years for my first bloom. If your neighbour is amenable then you could divide the root in the late Autumn (before first frost) or late Spring (after last frost & soil is completely thawed at root thawed).

Tree peonies (as well as the above) can be propagated from Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer,technique here ....... Cuttings: semi-ripe / Royal Horticultural Society

[bearded bloke]

Does it look like .........





That is a Tree Peony

[NicW]

Thank you, I will try seed method, not sure she would appreciate me digging her garden!

[NicW]

Mmm, it's a bit different, I will try and take photo!

[bearded bloke]

Once it has finished flowering you will see the pods (look like jesters hats) leave them to dry on the plant,they are ready when they start to split open down their length,plant 2 or 3 seeds about 1/2" deep in a 6" pot & be prepared for a wait,it can take upto 18 months for the first leaf to appear.

[NicW]

Oh thank you, as you can probably tell I'm a complete newbie!

[NicW]

Sorry, another daft question coming-should I keep pot inside until life appears??

[bearded bloke]

TBH I don't really know,I was trying to mimic nature (& I'm forgetful) so put the pot beside the "mother" plant & pretty much ignored it apart from weeding,planted out in the Autumn of the third year & then got a bit despondent when there was no flower the following year,but when it did eventually arrive it was all worth it Here it is the first year .......... http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tml#post894923 ........ you will note from the text my memory really is bad,was 6 years not 5

[bearded bloke]

The peony that the bees like best in my garden is this one ...






It had 26 blooms this year & has kept many many bees happy for a few weeks

If there is any interest I would be happy to give this years seeds from this plant to the virtual seed swap package (will be several weeks before they are ready though as they need to fully ripen on the plant )

[Two_Sheds]

But if the mother peony has been grafted, will the seeds come true?

Another method is layering*, which doesn't involve digging up the mother plant, but only "If a flexible stem is present..., it usually takes two to three years before the stem will produce sufficient independent root system to be separated from the parent plant."


* pin a branch down to the soil, leave it there until it has rooted

[WendyC]

Layering would only work if it is a tree paeony not if it's a herbaceous one.