Propagating Peonies: By Seed, Divide, Cuttings & Co.

You really can't have enough of peonies. Here you can find out which propagation options are available for the peony.

Peonies (Paeonia) can be found in many gardens and enchant with their bloom. When it comes to propagating peonies, there are a number of options. One possible variant is vegetative propagation, such as dividing the rhizomes. Another variant is the propagation of peonies by seeds, which is called generative propagation. In this article we will introduce you to the various methods and provide instructions for successful implementation.

Propagating peonies: dividing in three steps

Peony dividing steps include digging, dividing and planting. Depending on whether it is a perennial or tree peony, there are few but significant differences.

Share perennial peony

1. Dig out
   It is strongly recommended to completely remove the plant nest from the ground and not to divide it already in the ground. This would most likely affect and weaken the mother plant. When digging up the root system, care should be taken not to injure or even separate the roots - especially the long ones. Once the root ball has been dug out, the soil is removed with a garden hose so that a clear estimate can be made of where the parts that can be divided are.
2. Division
   Now cut off the parts of the plant above ground and divide the root vertically with a sharp garden knife (hipper). Each root section should have between three and five roots and the same number of buds. This step can also be used wonderfully to remove diseased and dead root parts (black, brown or rotten).
3. Planting of the sections
   Planting of the sections is done under the same conditions as described in our special article on transplanting peonies.

Split Tree Peonies

Note: The division ofTree peonies can only succeed if they have already detached themselves from their grafting base (lower grafting partner) and built up their own root system, or if the plant has already developed through division. The special feature of the refinement of peonies is the type of nurse refinement. This means that the rootstock is only used temporarily to provide food for the young scion.

1. Digging
   The digging process is similar to that of the garden peony, except that the dimensions of the root ball can be significantly larger. Since it is still not advisable to damage root parts, the procedure here should be treated with some caution. Strong pulling on the above-ground branches can also be punished very easily because these - in contrast to the roots - are more brittle. If the root ball is out of the ground, it is also cleaned with the garden hose and diseased roots are removed.
2. Division
   The division can be done by hand, with a saw, a sharp spade or a sharp knife. The root ball can be divided into two or three parts. Before the plant parts are planted again, it is essential to create an even relationship between root volume and above-ground volume. This means that the above-ground shoots are shortened to a little less than half.
3. Planting of the sections
   Planting of the sections is done under the same conditions as described in our special article on transplanting peonies.

Graining shrub peonies

Another propagation method is grafting. A young, vital shoot of the plant to be propagated is grafted onto the root of another, more resistant peony and planted. This process is very difficult and therefore only conditionally recommended for beginners without patience. This requires special pruning and attachment methods, which can rarely forgive mistakes.
Since these endeavors require experience and sensitivity and can therefore also go wrong in the first attempts, there is still the possibility, for example, of propagating the tree peony using cuttings .

Propagating shrub peonies by cuttings

This procedure is only applicable to tree peonies. Young, woody shoots are cut off at the base. The length of these shoots should be between 10 and 15 cm. This cutting woodis now placed about 3 cm deep in a pot with moist growing soil. Use a suitable substrate such as our peat-free Plantura organic herb and seed compost to create optimal conditions for the young cuttings. If wilted flower parts are still attached to the cutting wood, these are removed next to the lower leaves, leaving only four to five leaves. If the potting soil is kept moist for a few weeks, the first roots will form.

Tip: Do not plant these young cuttings outside immediately, but let them grow on the windowsill or similar place for a while until a small root ball has formed.

Propagating peonies: sowing

Anyone can sow a peony, but the following tips should be heeded. If the seeds are from your own peonies, they are harvested as soon as the fruits have fully opened, i.e. from August to September depending on the variety.
The freshly harvested seeds are sown in rows on a well-prepared substrate and covered with 1 to 2 cm soil. If possible, a breeding box should be preferred here, as this makes maintenance easier and protects against animals. The seeds are then worked into the potting soil three times as deep as they are tall.

The soil must be kept moist throughout the following 12 to 18 months until the seeds germinate to protect the swelling seeds from drying out. The reason for the long germination period is that peonies are cold germs, which need a cold phase (i.e. the winter) to overcome the germination inhibition. After the young specimens have germinated, they are left in place for another two years, as their roots are still very tender. In the case of a seed box, the young plants are transplanted into a larger pot by pricking out. After this time, the young peonies can be planted out in a similar substrate and at greater intervals in autumn. With good care, the new plants can start flowering after as little as six years.

Propagating peonies: division or sowing?

Which method of propagating peonies is the better one?
Division of the plant (vegetative propagation) is easier and the result is visible much earlier. Success is also almost guaranteed if you have observed the different planting depths. The disadvantage, however, is that the large mother plant with its beautifulGrowth habit and size must be sacrificed. So if you are very attached to that one plant, you should consider dividing it carefully.
The characteristics of the mother plant are not necessarily passed on when sowing. The result in the form of the first flower is also a long time coming. However, at the end of this wait, the result can be a great surprise.