Congratulations! It will take several years to bloom, you're right about that, but they're worth the wait. Make sure to post pics of your new seedlings!

A snail, may he rest in peace, ate the top of one of my seedlings so now it just has a short piece of stem. Since the root is ok, is there any chance that this will survive and put up another sprout? Luckily another seed sprouted so I still have 2 seedlings.

Hopefully someone with more growing from seed experience will answer that one, socalgal! The only from seed ones I have that grew a 2nd stem were 2nd or 3rd year seedlings. Good luck!

The seedling whose stem and leaf was eaten by the snail has sent up another leaf from the base. I have a total of four seedlings now!

Congratulations! Post pics as they grow!

Here is a photo. They are in 4" pots, to give you an idea of scale. The one that fought the snail is in the front right, but it is hard to see the new sprout in the photo.

Hi Socalgal. I'm also in So CA. I bought one of these peony plants from Annies Annuals a few years ago. It bloomed in February and I just picked a seed pod today. I would love to try to grow some from these seeds. Do you have any advice? Do they need warm, then the fridge? How deep did you plant the seeds? I would be grateful for any tips. Thanks, Lisa

I sowed them about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in pots and put in the fridge for 2-3 months, then room temp for the same period, then fridge again, then put outside in the shade where they finally sprouted about 13 months after sowing. They probably put out a root earlier. One plant is still very tiny, the others hopefully are dormant (it is either that or dead). I read an article that says the seeds are black. If you have red mixed with black the red were not pollinated.

http://mundani-garden.blogspot.com/2012/02/fingers-blood.html

Perhaps you can give me some advice about my baby plants, During what time of year does yours put out new growth? Do you water it all year long?

.

Mine are dormant too. I must confess to digging down in the pot a bit to see if there was anything left in there and I did find a little sprout. Hopefully it will emerge above ground in the next two months.

How nice! I repotted mine, only one survived. But it has recently resprouted and looks healthy.

Good for you! I never did plant the seeds I collected, and they are prob too old now. This year I hope to collect new ones and try them with your method. My bud looks pretty big already. I really hope there are more coming. Last year I think I had 3 or 4 blooms. This year it actually received better care than the year before, so I would be a little surprised to only have one bloom this time. The year before, I went away for a month in high summer. I doubt my boys watered it at all. I also didn't give it any compost that winter. This past year I was home all summer, so it did receive regular water. I gave it a top dressing of compost in January. I'll post a picture when the bud(s) open. Lisa

I think the seeds would still be good if you just collected last fall. If you still have them and don't want to try yourself I'd be happy to pay the postage to take them off of your hands!

Go ahead and plant. Nothing ventured nothing gained. For those that are just starting growing with peony seeds please be aware that some will not send up true leaves or perhaps even spout for two years after planting.

I'm sorry, socalgal. What a flake you must think I am. I was sick for a good while, (didn't even get to see my peony bloom!) then completely forgot for a good while, and now I'm not sure where they are. I'm pretty embarrassed about it. I know I have a few. I can remember peeling the label off an empty Rx bottle, and putting them inside. When I come across them (and I will) I will be in touch.

By the way, it appears my peony only put forth a single bloom this year. I wonder why? It's thriving in every other way. Last spring it had way more blooms. Lisa

Hi Lisa, I'm sorry you were too ill to see your peony bloom. Mine resprouted, put forth three small leaves, and then has just been sitting there. I got an email from Annies Annuals saying they had some 3 year old plants available, but they were sold out within 12 hours of the email! Chiltern in England has seeds available, but since my one plant is still alive I don't think I'll order any more, yet.

Edit: Checked Annies again, they're in stock! I think I need one ...

Ruth

Did you get one? I saw that that too, but again they were gone within a few hours.Lisa

I ordered one, it is due to arrive on Friday!

My peony from Annie's Annuals arrived today (the one on the right). It looks great. It is supposed to be three years old, and is definitely bigger than the one I grew from seed (on the left). I wonder if I might get a bloom next year.