Growing peonies from seeds not only takes a long time, but is also quite time-consuming. In addition, plants grown from seeds take several years until they have enough strength to bloom. Therefore, propagation via offshoots is recommended
How do you propagate peonies through cuttings?
To propagate peonies through cuttings, cuttings of shrub peonies can be cut in late summer and planted in potting soil. With Paeonia delavayi, runners can be separated in autumn or spring and planted separately. Lowering propagation is also possible for shrub peonies.
Cut and grow cuttings
Propagation via cuttings can only be implemented with shrub or tree peonies. Perennial peonies do not develop woody shoots that are necessary for this. You can start propagating cuttings in late summer.
First, choose a he althy peony that you like and that is worth propagating. Cut off a half-ripe shoot that is woody at the base. The shoot should be straight and between 10 and 15 cm long. If there is still a wilted flower attached, remove it!
This is what happens after the cut:
- remove lower leaves
- Prepare pots with potting soil (€6.00 on Amazon)
- Stick cuttings 3 cm deep
- Moisten the soil
- Rooting time: several months depending on temperature
- pot out after rooting
- plant in a suitable location
Use runners for propagation
The Delavayis peony often produces runners. They can also be useful for reproduction. They grow independently directly on the plant and form roots. You can dig up these runners in fall or spring and plant them separately.
Lower propagation of shrub peonies
Shrub peonies that already have long shoots can be easily propagated using them. Take such a long shoot and carefully bend it down to the ground!
Score the shoot with a knife about 15 cm from the tip of the shoot. This area would later be below the surface of the earth. A small planting pit is now dug on the ground. Place the sinker in it and weigh it down with a stone in addition to the earth.
The area must be kept moist. Then the sinker can form roots. Only when the roots have developed should it be separated from the mother plant. It comes to a separate location in a sunny location.
Tip
Propagation of offshoots is generally not possible with perennial peonies. It is better to reproduce them by division.
