Lauren, nick the seeds then sow in moist sand out of the sun but outside and hope! When/if a root appears, then sow.

They need stratifying. I got some from Oyster Cove Seeds in Tassie and it was already done. They didn't grow, but very little else did either!! I am going to get more in April as it's cooler here. Their web site give a code for pre-treatment and instructions. I remember I had to plant them in a pot, cover with soil and then with a layer of sawdust and put them in a cool spot.

Oh dear that doesn't sound very encouraging.....but thanks anyway guys!!!!!

Lauren

I soaked mine overnight, then put on wet vermiculite, then in a closed plastic bag and left on the back of our toilet for several months...they ALL sprouted. NO scarifying needed...if they won't sprout doing what I did...they won't sprout. I got 8/8 FIRST time, so currently are going on my success, and have 100 seeds on the go. it is NOT difficult if you know what to do.

Dear LaurenLolly,

Don't be disheartened at all. I have growing around my garden about 30 tree peonies from my original 3 which were seedlings. My originals were planted in Melbourne and the first time they flowered, I was away from home on business. I only got to see the seed pods! So I saved the seeds as I was selling the house and didn't want to move the established plants. I planted the seeds late autumn one year later (they were kept in an old envelope).

Plant the seeds in fertile moist potting mix now. (I didn't pre-treat them in any way). Leave them outside exposed to the cold. Nothing will happen for a year, be patient and don't forget where they are. By the next year you will notice some single leaves appearing from the soil. Some kept appearing even a year later. Anyway I separated them and planted them out in autumn, placing stakes beside each seedling. The leaves died and they seemed to disappear for the winter. Last spring they all reappeared with two or three sets of leaves. Only lost one.
I'm hoping that the little brown sticks now will reshoot in spring and go on to bigger and better things.

I may get to see my peony flowers six years after I bought the originals this summer!

Be patient and have hope!

Thanks heaps Shepparton!! I have planted them in pots outside, so hopefully if I don't forget about them they'll survive! I also managed to snap up a tree peony seedlings at a bargain price from a sale at the Botanic Gardens...probably P. delavayi or lutea.

Lauren

The last/only lot I got were to be put in a deep pot with potting mix and then covered with a thick layer of sawdust.

It has been great to read all this advice. My father tried planting every tree peony seed and alas failure followed. One day I was weeding and drew his attention to a small plant which must have self seeded. Now this is thirteen years ago and I have taken this plant on my house moves. It is now about 9 inches high and has not flowered yet. It has been two years in its present location facing North among some roses. I was not really knowledgeable about the feeding time, eg. Victoria about Anzac Day and November so may have been starving it. Recently I was told that the first season in which it flowers you should remove the flower bud altogether. In the second year only allow one flower and after that allow it to go for it's life.
Are there any other tips I should consider??

Greetings Everyone,

I am a new gardenweb member and am trying to get peonies-I understand them to be herbacious peonies, not tree peonies- started from seed.
I got some seed and the instructions read that I was to soak the seeds overnight and them plant until germinated,(roots having started to grow) then put in the frig for the remainder of winter after the roots had sprouted. Those seeds are just in there and nothing has happened. It has beeen two months.I keep digging them up to see if anything has happened! I know peonies are supposed to be buggars to start. I realise I chose a bad time, but I wanted to get them started for a new garden plan this year. I have a water ionizer that gives acid water and I have just watered them twice with acid water. I understand gibberrellic acid helps start seeds that are difficult to germinate. Perhaps I'll dig them up or just put the pots out in the cold and see if they go on to appear as it warms up.

I'd appreciate more "peony wisdom" or suggestions if it applies to the herbacious type. It sounds like they may be quite similar in their needs.

Best Regards,

cactusflower32

HI all,

good thread by the way..
I know nothing about peonies but I know they are gorgeous. Martha Stewart Living magazine covered a whole article on Martha's peonies garden. It is the first ipad edition with pink peonies blooming on the cover. I know not everyone has an ipad but if you do, purchase that first edition only, you'll see how she talks about her peonies and how she grew the in succesion so that the peonies just keep blooming and blooming and blooming...

I was thinking of planting peonies but apparently it is not that easy. I'll google and youtube it first and see how other people are doing it. hopefully when I found some garden centre that sell peonies seed, i'll be ready. Anybody knows where i can get peonies seed in Melbourne?