And what a nice surprise to log on and see your article, Tracey. You explained the steps very well and I think even I could try doing this!

Thank you. It was much less overwhelming than I imagined when I did it last year. Thought it might be fun for folks to try. If I can do it, really anyone can Hope you get to try it out. Thank you again.

What a terrific tutorial! Nice and simple to follow instructions!

Thank you!

Really fantastic article ~ simple, clear and concise. Awesome

Thanks, Tracey. Very straight forward and concise, and what everyone likes to see..... real answers that aren't ambiguous.

A few follow up questions:
---- 1. It seems like the time to do this is late summer? Any tips that signal the right window of opportunity?

---- 2. When grafting stem to stem, it is very important to match the cambium layers just under the bark of the two pieces. But the anatomy of roots versus stems is very different, and I wouldn't be surprised if this does not hold true. Apparently this is not important?

---- 3. Obviously, when you are planting in the outside bed, the soil is already moist. Do you water once before you place the sheet plastic over? White, clear or black plastic?

1)End of August through September and in warmer zones I have read you can go into October. The growth you cut off (scion) is showing for next years buds. These here are present in early August, at least. Each resource I have seen gives the same time table, without further explanation. It may be to schedule it during the normal "fall peony planting time" table that creates the window, allowing roots time to establish before cold ground sets in.

2)This part may be a specific I do not know or understand fully. This may be the reason for the 30%-50% success rate though.

3)I planted in moist soil and did not water in after planting. I was worried about the saturation of the grafts. The plastic I used was opaque and blue. I would choose white of those you listed. The main purpose is to protect from excess moisture. So I would think any thick plastic would do.

Thank you for your comments, Rick.

I haven't any tree peonies, but I'd still like to say that this is an excellent article on grafting! Thank you!

One more question: Do you plant these in a shady spot so that they don't cook under the plastic, or is that the reason for using opaque material?

Great tutorial. I may try some this year. I have to prune my tree peonies anyway since they tend to get scraggly, and I have some herbaceous peony that I need to thin out, so will have some rootstock. Will have nothing to lose except for time

I won't have the warm weather (70-80 degrees) for the grafts to heal, but maybe I can find a warm enough place for them somewhere. I notice that you use very short scions. Do I leave one or two eyes and that will be enough?

Your grafting material rootstock should have no eyes. Eyes increase the chance of herbaceous rootstock coming up and taking nutrients from the tree peony grafts.

The taller the scion, the higher your chance of damage in the process. Most scion pieces will be shorter.

thanks!

I don't have tree peonies, but if I did then I could try grafting from your pictorial instructions.
Your article gives excellent directions in a very clear presentation. Thank you!

Thank you Caroline. I've had pretty good success with this method that I learned from our local peony society. Many years we have a grafting class.