I use lamp shade frames for peony supports (found at yard sales, or garbage night...take off fabric), but they're not perfect. Stems do flop, and some do break. Then I cut them to bring inside!

Some folks support each stem individually. Others have more elaborate ring/string systems.

Bill Countryman, Sr. (of Countryman's Peony Farm in Northfield, VT) always said that peony rings were like guillotines.

Judye

Thank you, Judy for that advice. I think next year I'll try different things on different plants and see what works best.

I've struggled with this problem as well. This year, after the usual flopsville occurred, I decided that next year I'm going to cut all the big (primary) buds right before they bloom, bring them inside, and then let the side buds flower and see if they flop. I think the only thing that would work for my monster peonies would be to stake every single stem -- and that would just be too much work for lazy me!

I also am too lazy to stake each stem, so I think that's a great Idea! Will the buds bloom inside then? Maybe I will try that on a couple plants and see how it goes.

Yes, if you wait to cut them until they are like big, soft marshmallows (I think they actually refer to this as the 'marshmallow' stage), they will bloom indoors. The only problem for me is that the primary blooms are usually on very short stems, if I intend to leave the smaller buds intact.... but I think I'll just buy some shallow flower bowls for them. I can't think of anything else to do, besides the dreaded eight gazillion individual stakes.