Tree Peony

[Guff]

Last project for this year.

This year I made two trenches, 70 and 72 cups. The foam cups are filled with leaf compost. Haven't decided if I'm going to start the seeds indoors, or just plant one seed into each cup. Indoors Tree Peony seeds need 3-4 months of 85-90 temps with moisture, then the seed will start to germinate(crack) and grow a root. They then need a cold chill for the leaf to grow.

If I plant each seed into a cup(outside), it will take two Springs to see a leaf. Probably just going to put a seed in each cup and call it a day. Have too many projects going right now......





This bed I did last Fall, 50 cups. need to add some more compost to cover the cups back up.



Pulled a cup out and tipped it over to to see if any roots were growing.

[brianw]

I collected a handful of seed from a neighbours "copse" of mixed red and yellow flower tree Peonies a few years back. Eventually threw them onto some old potting soil in a large pan, covered them and forgot about them for some months. They came up like cress. Still have a few in neglected pots: some went to a plant fair last summer. Sort of thing you need a market for.

[Guff]

As an experiment.

72 Tree Peony seeds will be soaked in Bioag Ful-Power mixture and then planted into the cups. Just to see if it makes a difference. Past years, one or two seedlings would put up a leaf the first Spring, but 99% take two Springs here in New York.

If I have time, I may try growing some Dogwood. I have some cups left over, and have never tried Dogwood from seed. I have white, pink and red flowering trees.

One can always give or trade away extra plants. My Tree Peonies on my bank get alot of people looking.





Over the years, been working on a hedge of Tree Peonies at the top of my banks. Lined out over 70 Tree Peonies. I don't prune them, I just let them do what they do.

[Guff]

Decided to do another row. Have to cover the cups up with some compost and I'm done with outdoor projects for this year......

[Jeffnz]

Based on a count of the number of cups that will be some 'row'.

[Guff]

Jeff, 74 cups in that last row. Only 20 cups have Dogwood seeds, all the rest are Tree Peony. It's a pain digging up Tree Peony seedlings if the seed was planted in a bed, starting them in cups/pots is so much easier.

[Jeffnz]

Dogwood seed?  Have never seen seed set on the DGW we or any around our area.

[Guff]

Is your Dogwood over there something different than what we call it over here?

There are hundreds of berries on the trees. Birds eat them during the winter.



Seed

[Jeffnz]

Cornus species/hybrids here, common name dogwoods. From your photo I think we are talking about a different
tree.

[fermi de Sousa]

Cornus species/hybrids here, common name dogwoods. From your photo I think we are talking about a different
tree.

Possibly Cornus mas
cheers
fermi

[Guff]

Tree Peony seedlings.

[Gail]

Excellent! Such a wealth of anticipation there...

[Guff]

Gail, thanks.

I also have a bed I had replanted with Tree Peony seeds, the same time as doing the cups(second Spring). When I get the bed weeded out will take a picture. Looks like hundreds of seedlings.

Might be Dog Wood seedlings popping up.