The other day I was asked about collecting seed from the pods that develop after the peony blooms fade. If you have peonies, you too may have wondered if you could use these seeds to grow your own plants.
I am afraid I discouraged the would-be collector -- and will probably discourage you too -- by telling her it took three years for peony seeds to germinate. Even then you probably won't get a plant that looks like the parent. Yours grew from divisions, not seeds.
I did point out, as I do now, that while most Alaskans buy new peonies in the spring from local nurseries that pot up tubers and grow them a bit before they are put on sale, there is a thriving trade Outside in mail- and Internet-order tubers. The reason most of us don't know about it is that it is a fall trade, and the tubers involved usually don't ship until Sept. 15.
In the old days that might have been too late for Alaskans, but not now. If you are interested, hop on the Internet and see if you can find plants that tempt you. Mid to late September is not too late to plant peonies in Southcentral.
One reason for this trade in peony tubers is that autumn is the best time to divide the mother plants and replant the tubers. This means now is also a good time for Alaska gardeners to consider dividing or moving peonies if necessary.
The "if necessary" is in deference to the wisdom that peonies are plants that should stay put once they are planted in a location that suits them. Divide them once a generation only to pass on starts to the next generation. However, there are times when you just have to transplant, say when growth of surrounding trees and shrubs cuts down on the necessary sun and your peony starts to fail, future construction in its current location or simply moving to a new home and wanting to take a division with you. All might necessitate digging up a peony.
As for dividing a thriving plant? Why would anyone want to reduce the number of blooms a peony bush producers by dividing it, especially when there is good possibility you will miss out on blooms for a year to two? I guess, for one, it is the cheapest and surest way to get reproductions of your favorite plants. Second, it is possible that a peony could get too large for its location. I haven't seen one yet, but I can believe it possible given the midnight sun and all.
Anyhow, moving a peony is easy. Dig the entire plant and replant immediately. Cover the tubers but make sure none of the "eyes" is more than 2 inches below the surface. You will see the eyes, as they are red, white or pink and from them next year's stems and flowers will grow. The more eyes, the more flowers.
Your location should have the best sun possible, and the soil should be well-drained and very rich. Add as much compost or humus as you can. Water and then apply 2 inches of leaves as mulch. This mulch must be removed in the very early spring but in the meantime will feed the microbes and prevent some of the freeze-thaw-heaving out of the ground that often occurs in a long Alaska winter.
If you are dividing a peony then, again, dig around the entire plant so as not to cut into the root system. Shake off the soil and make divisions of the mother plant ensuring each new plant gets three to five eyes and as much of the root system as possible. Immediately replant using well-draining, humus-rich soil. Mulch. Don't expect flowers next spring. It may even take three years. Don't forget the 2-inch rule on the eyes.
Planting new tubers is no different. The eyes go "up" and no more than 2 inches deep; the rest of the tuber and roots go "down" into rich, well-draining soil.
If you get them via mail, try and plant them the day they arrive. If not, open the bag and give the tuber air and make sure the "sawdust" doesn't dry out. Plant soon and don't forget the mulch to prevent heaving out of the ground.
Local nurseries often get a few peony tubers in the fall, and some have a few left from this season (these will have added eyes as peony tubers do that every year). Let your favorite nurseries know if you are interested in them buying bulk fall tubers. If enough gardeners ask, they will respond, and we can all start planting peony tubers every fall. Wow. Just imagine.
Jeff Lowenfels is a member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame. You can reach him at www.gardenerjeff.com or by joining the "Garden Party" radio show from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KBYR 700 AM.
Garden calendar
• FLOWERS: Keep picking them, sniffing them and giving them away. Gardeners share.
• HARVEST: Take food to Beans Cafe or your local food bank (Wasilla, Seward, Kenai, Fairbanks) or give some to a neighbor in need, etc. Plant a Row for the Hungry started in Southcentral and has raised more than 20 million tons of food. Gardeners share.
• ALASKA BOTANICAL GARDEN: Visit. Join.
• LAWNS: Keep mowing. If you must thatch, and you don't need to IMHO, do it now.
• FLOWERS: Pick and enjoy. Don't let things go to seed unless you want them to.
• VEGETABLES: Harvest at will but leave brussels sprouts and potatoes to get a frost or two. And don't forget Plant a Row. Take food to Beans, the food banks or elsewhere to help feed those who need it here in Southcentral.
JEFF LOWENFELS
GARDENING