Hybridizing peonies can be alot of fun. At PTG we have opted to open pollinate. (This means we know one parent but not the other) If you wish to try your hand at hybridizing here is how its done.
Choose your parent plants. This is as simple as, I like this one and this one, then its time to get to work!!

Once you have chosen the mother watch the bud as soon as it starts to show colour remove petals and stamens.

The next step is to collect the pollen from the father as soon as it begins to
bloom.

Cover the carpels and stigma all over with the pollen.











When you have completed this make sure you cover the cross with a paper bag.
This will keep the selection clean. After a few weeks the bag can be removed. (Or left it can be left on. Many breeders have too many bags to remove and choose not to)
Make sure you keep track of your crosses for future reference. In September, collect the seeds when pods mature. Mix 1ml bleach to 100ml water and rinse seeds, then rinse in fresh water. These seeds may be planted directly to the garden (field). Make a note to where these seeds are it can take a couple of years to show growth. Make sure you mark the crosses so you know when they bloom where they came from. You may have the next exciting hit on the market!!! Good luck and have fun.

Day +11 cloudy with showers Wind S20km/h P.O.P.24%
Night +3 patchy clouds Wind NNW19km/h P.O.P.31%