The Seed Exchange Program is keenly interested in seed from members' common and uncommon peonies. So, before you dead-head your plants, consider letting a few go to seed. Here are a few tips to help you help us.
Collecting Seed:
Seed pods (carpels) should usually be left on the plant to ripen at least to the point where the pod starts to split. At that point it can either be left on the plant until the pod opens completely, or the stems can be cut with a bit of leaf attached and set in a jar of water set in a tray. The tray should be wide enough to catch any seed falling from the carpels.
People prefer to know the name of the plant from which the seed is collected, so if possible please keep track of this information. If you don't know the name of the plant a brief description is always useful.
When the carpels are nearly fully open, collect the seed. Set it in an open paper (not plastic) container (envelope or small bag) to dry or a week or so; if you don't do this the seed may get mouldy when it gets wrapped for mailing.
Finally, put the seeds into small labelled envelopes, which may now be sealed, and if possible wrap the bundle of envelopes you will be sending to the seed exchange in some kind of bubble wrap before placing them in a mailing envelopes.
Send your seeds to:
Canadian Peony Society Seeds
c/o Bill Wegman
5441 Hilltop Dr
Manotick, ON K4M 1G6
To receive a confirmation that we have received your seeds, please include your email address.
Please forward your seeds as soon as possible and before 1 November, 2011
Bill Wegman
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