Introduction And Propagation Of Distant Hybrids In Paeonia

Tree peonies and herbaceous peonies belong to Paeonia, Paeonia includes three groups: Sect. Moutan, Sect. Paeonia, Sect. Onaepia. And Sect. Moutan includes two sub-groups: Subsect. Vaginatae Stern and Subsect. Delavayanae Stern. Distant hybridization means hybridization among these three groups or sub- groups of each group. Among that, the intersectional hybrids of herbaceous peonies × tree peonies, because of their characteristics and advantages of both herbaceous and tree peonies,such as pure color, florescence between tree and herbaceous peonie's and great resistance, were considered as "the future of Paeonia" and paid special attentions by florists. Some distant hybrids (including intersectional hybrids and sub- group hybrids in Sect. Moutan ) were introduced to Beijing from USA,and their biology habits, ornamental value, phenological time and preliminary propagating way were researched. We have got the first-hand data of the new group,which will be beneficial to coming commercial production and popularization. The results showed that.1. 14 intersectional hybrid peonies, 4 sub- group hybrids in Sect. Moutan and 1 herbaceous peony were introduced. The distant hybrids can grow and bloom normaly in Beijing without any special maintenance. They appeared strong diseases resistance, high ornamental value, which are unique hybrid advantages. So it is feasible to introduce them into the zone which have similar climate to Beijing.2. Most hybrids had graceful bush forms, handsome and bright foliage, top-quality flowers. The intersectional hybrids showed characteristics of both tree and herbaceous ones, and their growth habit of herbaceous peonies, perennial herbaceous; flowers of tree peonies, coloful, mainly yellow and fragrant; phenological time between tree and herbaceous peonie's, Tree peonies bloomed in the last ten-day of April and early May in testing spot Beijing Jiufeng, herbaceous peonies bloomed in the last ten-day of May and early June, and intersectional hybrids bloomed between Tree and herbaceous peonie's, the middle and last ten-day of May. The sub-group hybrids in Sect.Moutan and herbaceous peony, such as'Golden Era' was the most successful male parent in intersectional crossing, 'Martha W. 'the most successful female parent, good fertility. So the introduced distant hybrids will enrich the whole Paeonia group, prolong ornamental time, which took on great value of landscaping and breeding.3. Crown division was the most used way to propagate intersectional hybrid peonies, which can get high livability, near 100%. Grafting livability was about 30%, but if considering propagating quotiety, it may be a main propagating method in the future. Intersectional hybrids had very low fertility, carpels and stigmas almost did not have normal function. Grafting livability of sub- group hybrids in Sect. Moutan was low, may be due to technique and the choice of stocks.