Home33 forum Magazine articles comments Peonies from seed

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    • #26363

      If you’d like to comment on this article, please do so below, your replies will be available both in the forum and under the article itself.
      [Read the full article: Peonies from seed]

    • #26449
      Bob
      Participant

      It’s clear that a lot of work went into producing this guide, so thanks go to Nate for the effort involved, along with the knowledge as well.

    • #27696
      Sarah Bucko
      Participant

      I appreciate all of this amazing information. I am in the process of trying to germinate some Molly the Witch seeds. I had them in moist vermiculite for three months in a warm spot, three months in the refrigerator, and then I potted the seeds up according to the directions with gravel at the bottom, soil, sand and then chicken grit at the top. They have been in a warm place for the last three months again. I noticed that some have developed small roots but no shoots yet. Should I put them back in the refrigerator or move them outside to a cold frame (we have pretty variable weather this time of year, zone 5)? Thanks for any and all advice.

    • #27714

      I guess the three months in a warm spot was good. That will have broken the first dormancy of the roots. But these roots will normally only start growing at intermediate temperatures, thus somewhere 10-15°C, not at low temperatures in the refrigerator. At intermediate temperature, which is lower than the ‘warm spot’ they will grow rapidly in a few weeks time. When they are several cm long, you can then place them into a cold spot for some months to break second dormance so that the plumule will appear when you place them in a warm spot again. From what you’ve written I deduct that you’ve gone straight from warm to cold without the intermediate temperature. When the roots are not yet there or are too small, the first leaf (plumule) will not appear when placed in a warm spot again. Some seeds have developed their first roots you say. If they are long enough (minimum 2 cm), you can now place them in cold again to break dormancy. After this those will grow when placed in a warm spot again. The others are best placed in a spot with intermediate temperatures for the roots to appear after which you can give the cold temperature again and then move them to the heat. Alternatively if you leave them outside, they will simply receive warmer temperatures, in Fall they’ll develop their roots and after Winter they’ll grow. At least that’s my experience, but species differ in their precise requirements and after many years I still have rather variable results myself. Good luck!

    • #29799
      Rachel
      Participant

      Thank you for the information you provided. I am still wrapping my mind around the fact that this will be a very long and rewarding process.

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