Abstract

�� This paper will discuss various aspects of the peony flower, primarily focusing on methods of propagation.� Other topics to be covered will include my personal interest in the flower, a brief description and history, and future work needed.� Various sources will be cited throughout the paper.�

Personal Interest

�� Growing up on the central plains of North Dakota gave me many opportunities to come in to contact with different horticultural plants.� There were always various flowers around our farm in the summertime.� During my growing up years, I did not pay much attention to all these different plants.� I remember the bright colors and different shapes of some of the flowers, but as far as names, I do not remember them quite as readily.� However, there was one flower that was always in our flower bed right beside the house.� It seemed to be kind of a bushy plant that had many stems and leaves.� I remember that at least once every summer, this plant would flower.� The flowers would open up from small round bulb-like parts of the plant, and expand into flowers that were as big as a softball. They were beautiful.� These flowers adorned our kitchen table more than once.� At the present time, I am taking a college course entitled Plant Propagation at North Dakota State University, taught by Dr. Chiwon W. Lee.� This has been an interesting class, and as part of the class, we are required to write a term paper about the propagation of a certain plant.� I chose the peony because of my past experiences with it, and a desire to learn more about its propagation.� I will start first with a brief introduction of the peony.

Description and History

�� Peonies were very popular towards the end of the nineteenth century in Europe. They have not received much attention by modern authors, yet they are a very beautiful flower that is easy to grow and not affected by very many diseases.� They do not work well for mass propagation, so this reduces there commercial value.� However, they are easy to care for and are good for a small gardener. (Page 7-9)

�� Peonies are thought to be named after the Greek mythological figure, Paeon, and have been used as medicine for at least two millenniums.� They seemed to be a cure all for many diseases, more specifically for things such as:� gall stones, kidney pains, jaundice, and insanity.� Peonies have been used in a tea as well to treat haemorrhoids and varicose veins.� (Page 11-13)

Propagation Methods

�� According to Engstrom, peonies can by propagated by:� seed, division, root cuttings, grafting, and layering. �

Propagation by Seed

�� In nature, peony plants are able to produce their own seed. However, this is not true for all domestic cultivars.� In order to propagate by seed, one must first obtain the seeds.� In herbaceous peonies, seed propagation is not recommended because it takes five to six year for plants to mature, the possibility of a new and exciting plant is not very great.� In tree peonies, however, seed propagation is practical.� To do this successfully, gather the seeds when the pods have cracked open.� The seeds should have� a sticky feel to them.�� The seeds should be rinsed in a 10% bleach solution and after that, clean water to remove any harmful materials such as fungi and bacteri.� One can plant the seeds right away in a garden, or one can also root the seeds indoors over the winter.� If rooting the seeds indoors, they should be stored in a shady warm place.� When roots on the seeds get to be about 2-4� long, put the seeds in the refrigerator for 3-4 months, maintaining the temperature at 45-48 degrees F.� In the spring they can then be planted in the garden, with a mulch over them.� One important thing to remember when propagating peonies by seed is that:� �seedlings require at least one cycle of warm-cold-warm before putting out their first leaves (Engstrom 109).�� Keep this in mind when performing this practice.� (Engstrom 107-109)

Propagation by Division