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How to plant peonies in the ground in spring. When to plant peonies and how to care for them? Correct agricultural technology for peonies

Peonies growing from seeds | How to plant peonies in spring

Landing. The pit is filled with a mixture of rotted manure (1/3) and the top layer of earth (2/3), adding about a glass or 400 g of superphosphate, 150-200 g of potassium sulfate and dolomite flour or chalk, slaked lime, if the soil is highly acidic. The top third of the hole is filled with a mixture of topsoil, compost and river sand, expanded clay or broken foam. The peony is planted in this mixture so that the root collar is at ground level. The soil is added gradually, lightly compacting and pouring 5 liters of water, and then the soil is added to the edges of the hole.

After watering root system The tree peony will deepen and take its normal position.

Growing peonies from seeds

The best predecessor of peonies on earth are fallow areas. These plants also develop well after lupins or other legumes.

If the peony receives severe darkness for just two hours a day, the flowers will be of poor quality or there will be no flowering at all. But light partial shade, especially at noon, is not terrible for growing peonies. It is also negative for growing peonies from seeds that the peonies are located next to buildings or other large plants. The soil for planting peony must have a neutral reaction. In terms of composition, soils that are best suited for growing peony are moisture-intensive and loamy. Peonies can grow in different soils, but these are the soils where they are of the highest quality. The distance between peony bushes should be at least 1 meter. This is due to the long-range growth of peonies. If you plant small peonies in the spring, they will grow only to the sides in the top layer of soil, and the bush will not be provided with much moisture.

Peonies serve as an excellent decoration for any garden. Their large bushes with beautiful fragrant flowers will delight even the most experienced gardener. These amazing plants make their way out of the ground with plump, pinkish-colored shoots in a short period of time. This then develops into a luxurious bush, throwing out beautiful huge buds that will fill the entire garden with their aroma.

If this happens, you can plant it in the spring. But then you will have to cut off all the buds so that the root grows.

At least half of the stems should be left on the bush (otherwise the plant will weaken).

Landing

With shallow cultivation, the roots, having reached solid soil, grow to the sides, located in the upper layer of soil. In this case, the plants lack moisture and nutrition and grow poorly. Therefore, deep tillage is required.

Caring for peonies

- one of the most popular and widespread perennial ornamental plants. It is highly valued for its beautiful large and delicate flowers, a decorative bush from spring to autumn. And, of course, for the ability to reproduce well and grow in one place for a long time (up to 20 years or more).

When correct landing the root collar of the peony (or its rootstock) should be at the level of the soil surface. If they are planted in long-prepared holes with settled soil, then when planting root collar plants can be buried 5 cm from the soil surface. If the plant is grafted onto the roots of the herbaceous peony, and you want to transfer it to its native roots, then plant it deeply so that the border between the rootstock and scion is at a depth of 10-15 cm. After planting, make a hole around the seedling for watering with a depth of 10-15, water it abundantly (10 liters per bush). After the water is absorbed, the soil is leveled, mulched with peat, compost or rotted manure with a layer of 15-20 cm. In wet spring, it is advisable to water the plants at the roots with a solution of foundationazole (20 g per 10 liters of water).

Now you know how to grow peonies from seeds, as well as how to plant peonies in the spring.

Tree peony - planting and care

Tree peonies can tolerate light shade, but they do not bloom in overly shaded areas. In this regard, they are not recommended to be planted near large shrubs, buildings and trees.

How to plant peonies in spring?

Many foreign varieties are delivered to our stores at the end of February or beginning of March, so planting peonies in the spring is forced. If possible, planting the bush should be done in late August and early September, planting young plants in a permanent place. When store shelves are filled with cuttings of peonies, novice gardeners experience double sensations. On the one hand, you want to acquire new varieties, but on the other hand, it’s scary if you can’t preserve fragile plants before planting in open ground.

When the ground thaws They are planted in a hole 60cm deep

In double varieties, the stems cannot always hold large, heavy flowers. Therefore, supports are installed on the bushes during the budding period. They can be made from thick (0.5 cm) wire in the form of rings with stands, which are painted green.

When planting peonies in a permanent place, they are placed at a distance of 100-120 cm from each other. Plants are placed in the upper third of the hole in a fertile layer of soil without fertilizers. There should be a 4-5 cm layer of soil above the top bud of the planted division. If the buds are deeper, the plants, although they will grow well, will not bloom. When planted shallowly, the bushes can be “squeezed” out of the ground. In the future, the buds may be damaged by late spring frosts, and flowering will be weak. The roots should be positioned freely and should not be bent or pressed.

Planting pits

It is currently known

In the first two years, abundant watering is desirable throughout the growing season. If necessary, peonies are watered once a week (3-4 buckets per bush). In hot weather, water daily. In the second half of August, watering is stopped. The work of the plant to recreate the numerous suction roots takes many years, so the soil should not be allowed to dry out. However, tree peonies, like all other peonies, do not like excess moisture, especially stagnation. Let us remember that they came down to us from the mountains of East Asia, and water does not stay in the mountains. Good drainage and draining melt water from plantings will help the soil warm up faster. It is useful to mulch the plantings - this will protect the soil from overheating and erosion by rain. During the season, ash and bone meal are regularly sprinkled on top of the mulch. It is advisable to systematically loosen the soil, especially after rain or watering, and pull out weeds. Loosen carefully so as not to damage the surface roots and those lying at a depth of 5-7 cm.

Before planting peonies, add 80-100 g of bone meal, or 40-50 g of granulated superphosphate, or 60-100 g of potassium salt into the hole.

To grow peonies, you need to prepare a hole for planting. To do this, it needs to be covered with a soil mixture consisting of soil and organic matter in equal parts. You can add wood ash or mineral fertilizers. It is best to fill 2/3 of the hole with this composition and fill the top layer of the hole with seedlings. If you plant peonies in the spring on heavy soil, then dig a hole deeper, fill the bottom layer with crushed stone and sand so that the soil is drained.

Planting a peony in the spring differs in many ways from the same process, but occurring in the fall. Firstly, the purchased division should be planted in a 3 liter pot. It is best to use a ready-made substrate, as it is light, nutritious and permeable to moisture. If the flower was purchased in early March, then you need to try to restrain the development of its ground part (peonies grow it very quickly). Planting and care in the spring consists of planting the cuttings in a pot and placing it in a dark and cool place where the temperature remains around +1-3°C.

Since this is a question, then you have no experience with planting peonies. The optimal time for transplanting and dividing peony in middle lane second half of August - beginning of September. In Samara, September is optimal, or even early October; you need to navigate the weather. But this is all for dividing the peony and replanting it. So to speak, theory for beginners.

Late autumn with the onset of the first frosts

After landing

must have a depth and width of at least 50-60 cm. The bottom is loosened and the hole is filled 2/3 with a nutrient mixture. The mixture consists of 15-20 kg of organic fertilizers (rotted manure, compost, peat), to which 400 g of granulated superphosphate or 400 g of bone meal, 150-200 g of potassium sulfate and for acidic soils - lime are added. It is important to know here that 300-350 g of lime per 1 m2 increases the pH by one, i.e. significantly reduce the acidity of the soil environment.

more than 6 thousand varieties

Fertilizers applied to the planting hole will provide the plant with nutrition for two to three years, so in the first year it is better to do only foliar feeding. The first two years after planting, the buds should be removed so that the underground part of the plant can develop better. Only in the third year will peonies bloom. Fading flowers are promptly removed to stimulate the formation of new buds. Regularly, especially in spring, when the buds are swelling, weak and frozen shoots are cut off. Constantly update the mulch in the tree trunk circle.

End. The beginning of the article is here.

It is best to plant peonies on cultivated loamy soils.

Peony rhizomes should be placed at the level of the edges of the hole, and then the peony should be filled in and watered.

In April and May, the period of growing suction roots begins. If you take the plant out of the pot, you will see that the entire earthen lump is braided with white threads. When the soil warms up well, you can transship it, planting the grown peony in a permanent place. In this case, the earthen lump must be intact so that the root system is not damaged. Planting a peony in the spring seems to many gardeners to be a rather dangerous activity, which can lead to the death of the plant. Therefore, sometimes flowers are dug into the garden along with pots, and then planted in a permanent place in the fall.

But the reality is this: peonies are sold in trade only in the spring. Moreover, I bought peonies from collectors and for some reason they also only sent them in the spring. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with spring planting, millions of people are forced to plant in the spring and millions of people succeed.

The entire above-ground part of the peony plant is cut off and burned. Early pruning may cause a lack of flowering the following year.

The plants should be watered and then topped up with soil so that the buds are not exposed. If there is no rain during the planting period, then watering should be repeated every 2-3 days for 2-3 weeks, then mulch the hole with peat.

On heavy clay soils

. Trying to collect a large collection of peonies in a small garden plot is hardly advisable. It is enough to plant several varieties with just one plant. And, most importantly, the flowers of these varieties should be of different colors and different flowering periods.

Feeding. Starting next spring, after planting, regular fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers is carried out. Peonies are responsive to the use of rotted manure, bone meal and wood ash. Plants do not tolerate fertilizing with fresh manure, as well as acidic fertilizers. Fertilizers are applied after abundant watering under the bush three times a season. The first time - immediately after the snow melts (nitrogen - 10-15 g, potassium - 10-20 g) or foliar, immediately after the growth of the above-ground part (40-50 g of urea per 10 liters of water); the second - 2 weeks before the start of flowering (nitrogen - 10-15 g, phosphorus - 15-20 g, potassium - 10-15 g), or on the leaves (40-50 g of urea plus a tablet of microelements per 10 liters of water); the third - 2 weeks after the end of flowering (potassium - 10-15 g, phosphorus - 15-20 g), or foliar - 2 tablets of microelements per 10 liters of water. Fertilizer application is combined with watering.

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Tree peony

There are no specially developed agricultural technologies for growing varietal peonies, Ito hybrids and mountain peonies in our conditions. So we will be content with time-tested agricultural technology for caring for their ancestor - the species tree peony.

We cherish and cherish the unearthly beauty

The hole is filled 2/3 with a fertile mixture consisting of peat, humus and the top layer of soil.

Where, when and how to plant

Peonies are very unpretentious, they bloom profusely and are suitable even when there are an abundance of weeds and a wild area. Peonies do not need to be fertilized at all; they do not need to be loosened. Growing peonies is ideal for the lazy summer resident. In addition, peonies have amazing durability. They can grow in one place for 50 years without getting sick and blooming.

Planting of the herbaceous peony should be carried out within a year from the moment of priority, because while in the pot it will not build up the root system, and a disease such as gray rot may appear. When purchasing, you must conduct a thorough inspection of the plant. Sometimes sellers try to sell sick and wilted flowers, claiming that they will come back to life if you just plant them in the ground. It is better to avoid dried and blackened buds and overdried divisions, because they can either take root or die. A growth stimulator will not help here.

Now let's look at the options spring planting.

N. Ya. Ippolitova

Planted peonies

Add 1 bucket of sand to the mixture (preferably river sand), and on very light sandy soils- 1-1.5 buckets of crushed clay. Upper part holes (about 20 cm) are filled with fertile soil from the top layer of soil.

From the right agricultural technology

Feeding secrets. To improve leaf wetting during foliar feeding, add a spoonful of washing powder. In parallel with the 2nd and 3rd feedings, it is useful in the first season to water the plants with a solution of heteroauxin (2 tablets per 10 liters of water) or sodium humate (5 g per 10 liters of water) to stimulate root formation. The last agricultural technique is especially relevant for plants planted after long-term storage or not at optimal times.

How to care for our pets

We already know that the flower from the Celestial Empire has whims. He is conservative in his affections, demanding of warmth and spoiled by good soil, does not tolerate our winters, transplants and plantings in a new place of residence. It takes more than one year for a tree peony to completely master and take root in a new place, but then it grows for decades, and if you’re lucky, for centuries! It does not tolerate acidic soils, waterlogging and stagnation of groundwater, as well as clayey, swampy soils. Therefore, it is necessary to fulfill all its requirements: more light, warmth, sufficient feeding and good shelter.

Peonies do not tolerate wetlands at all.

Peonies are completely unpretentious in care, but if you want the flowers to be of the highest quality and bloom profusely, then peonies can be weeded and watered. Peonies do not tolerate waterlogged soils, but regular, sufficient watering promotes plant health and abundant flowering.

Yellow peonies are usually expensive, so you should not buy varieties at low prices - they may not be of high quality. Sellers are thus trying to sell inexperienced flower growers a product of dubious quality. You should not waste money on purchasing blue and black flowers, since they simply do not exist in nature. Labels are deceiving, so the result will be completely different from the picture. Although planting a peony in the spring is forced, in most cases the bushes turn out no worse than those planted in the fall.

1. You bought a piece of peony rhizome and it is in a state of complete or almost complete dormancy (the buds have just begun to swell). If your soil has already thawed and you can dig a hole for planting, then feel free to dig a hole and plant. If the ground has not thawed, then this planting material Feel free to put it in the refrigerator in the vegetable compartment. It’s better to sprinkle it with peat so that it doesn’t dry out. As soon as possible and the ground has thawed a little, plant. Planting early will help with better adaptation and may even help build up the root system.

honeygarden.ru

Expert advice. Herbaceous peony, agricultural technology, planting and care

, candidate of agricultural sciencesin the first year it is recommended to cover it with peat or leaves (not peony) for the winter. In early spring, plantings are cleared of cover by raking it into the row spaces. You need to make sure that the buds are not above ground level and, if necessary, add soil. On waterlogged soils

, taking into account biological features peonies, depends on the decorativeness, productivity and longevity of the crop.

N.V. Macedonian. The planting site should be sunny, protected from wind and spring frosts. At the same time, light partial shade during the midday hours will not harm him at all. Choose a place for it that is protected from the winds, well lit (morning sun is preferable) at a rate of 1.5 x 1.5 m per plant.

Peonies should be planted in such a way that the buds are placed no lower than the level of the top layer of soil. 5. As for fertilizers, in the first half of summer, peonies can be fed with organic fertilizers, as well as mineral ones. During the budding period, you need to install supports on the peonies, and the first two years after planting are the time when peonies can be stimulated for better development and flowering.

Correct agricultural technology for peonies

Peonies are plants that are not at all difficult, and are quite possible to grow on summer cottage. Even a novice summer resident can do this. The main thing is to get the necessary material for planting peonies and acquire some knowledge about these plants. 2. You bought a piece of rhizome and it has already begun to vegetate (sprouts have started to appear). Plant in a pot and place on a glassed-in balcony. A slight drop in temperature with a slight night minus and a day plus is not scary. Planting in the garden by transshipment when it finally gets warmer (landmark - peonies in the gardens have begun to grow). You can simply dig a pot of peony into the ground and keep it like that until the optimal planting time in the fall.

Of course, peonies should be planted and replanted correctly from the end of August.... but in the retail chain they are often sold in the spring. Therefore, gardeners have to get sophisticated with spring planting. If you have already bought it, then plant it as soon as the soil thaws to the planting depth... here it is important to choose this very depth correctly, otherwise you will wait a very long time for flowering. Caring for plants.

It is necessary to do drainage. To do this, gravel, pebbles, and broken bricks are poured into the bottom of the planting hole, deepening it 15-20 cm. First of all, you need to know

Read other articles on this topic here.Deadlines. The best time to plant tree peony is August - September. Usually at this time the plants begin a second wave of root growth and they manage to partially take root before frost. But what to do if you purchased peony seedlings with an open root system at flower exhibitions in winter or in early spring? The kidneys have already woken up. And even the leaves begin to grow. Most often, seedlings of tree peony varieties are sold at exhibitions precisely at a time when the snow has not yet melted. The main thing here is to slow down the growth of seedlings and preserve them without loss. The optimal storage temperature is 0-2°C. They are most often stored in the refrigerator or basement. Such cooling will not affect the subsequent development of the plant, but high humidity may have a negative effect, since the buds have already begun to grow and may rot. Therefore, the main thing is to prevent them from growing, without over-wetting them or drying them out. If you have nowhere to store it, then you can plant the division in a spacious pot and keep it on a cool windowsill until planting. As soon as the threat of early spring frosts has passed, the peony is carefully transplanted to a permanent place in the garden. If you purchased the emperor flower in April, then plant it in open ground at the end of April - beginning of May, provided that the plant is protected from night frosts, for example, by non-woven covering material.

If you plant tree peonies on sandy soil, then peat, humus and turf soil should be added to it. Preventively, the plant can be treated with copper oxychloride. In the fall, after the first frost, when the peony leaves have already fallen to the ground, they are carefully cut down to the soil level. If the leaves have turned yellow, but have not yet fallen, then you cannot cut them off yet.

In this article you will learn how to grow peonies from seeds, as well as how to plant peonies in the spring. In any case, it is important to consider the following: the peony cannot be buried, the distance from the buds to the surface of the earth is 2 centimeters. That is, the buds are buried 2 centimeters below the surface of the earth. When buried more than 5 centimeters, the peony may not bloom for years or never at all.

Actually it goes in August, closer to autumn.Annual care consists of systematic removal of weeds, loosening, watering, fertilizing, and protective measures. Young plants should be fertilized from the first year of life. It is better to apply fertilizers, especially in liquid form, and mullein into the holes around the bush and cover them with soil after watering. This has a beneficial effect on the development of the young plant.

Herbaceous peony, preparation of planting material

Preparation of planting material.that peonies are very light-loving. They can tolerate light partial shade, especially during the midday hours, but strong shading for 2-3 hours leads to the fact that the plants either do not bloom at all or the flowers are of poor quality. They should not be planted near buildings: they will suffer from overheating and dryness from the walls, as well as from dripping from roofs and from snow debris. And if planted near trees and shrubs, they will lack moisture and nutrition.

We bring to your attention an article by a candidate of agricultural sciencesHowever, we note that spring planting for peonies is in any case untimely. A plant planted in the spring suffers for a long time, produces almost no growth, and looks depressed. The tree peony really doesn’t like it when its suction roots are disturbed, and spends two or even three years restoring them! And it does not form actual suction roots, which essentially feed it. Just imagine how defenseless he is during such a long period of exploration of a new place and how much he needs our attention.

In the center of the hole, which is filled with a nutrient mixture, you need to make a mound on which to spread the roots of the seedling. Planting tree peonies

Planting herbaceous peonies

We owe the huge variety of amazing varieties of tree peonies to the great love of the Chinese people for these flowers and the efforts of their breeders. At first glance, these plants seem very tender and intolerant, however, this opinion is wrong. Of course, like many plants, tree peonies, depending on the variety, differ in the degree of frost resistance and endurance. Almost all known peonies belong to the subshrub genus. Peony is a flower that was planted to protect against evil spirits near temples and palaces in China. China is the birthplace of peony, where it has been grown from seeds for 2000 years.

When planted in spring, the peony may fade in the middle of summer. The leaves will dry out. There is no need to be afraid. Next year it will sprout normally and enter a normal growth rhythm. In general, peonies are not planted in the spring.

Rates, timing and frequency of fertilizer applicationThe main and most reliable way reproduction garden peonies- dividing the bush. The best time for this operation is from mid-August to mid-September. This is the time when renewal buds have already fully formed (from which shoots with leaves and flowers will form in the spring), but mass formation of suction roots has not yet begun.

Caring for herbaceous peonies, timing and frequency of fertilization

Peonies can growIppolitova N. Ya.

Another thing is that tree peonies are grown and sold in containers. They can be planted in open ground from April to September. The roots of tree peonies in containers are protected by the walls of the container and are not damaged during transplantation. It is important to plant them in a permanent place immediately after acquisition. 7.

1. Below are the main features of how to plant a peony correctly treelike in spring. By following these simple rules, you will be rewarded with the long, bright and lush flowering of these beautiful flowers.

Peony is loved by many for its unique unpretentiousness. Today, about 6,000 varieties of peony are known, which differ in color, shape, and flowering time. Thanks to this, you can put together your own small collection of peonies, which will delight you with flowers all year round. Peonies are either tree-like or herbaceous. Herbaceous peonies are most widespread among gardeners. Peony is a light-loving crop. Therefore, if you want to plant peonies in the spring, then choose a place to grow the peony with enough light. Peonies have a complex root system consisting of several types of roots. Absorbing small roots grow at low positive temperatures in two stages in autumn and early spring.

I once dug it up at the end of April and planted it, it bloomed only 2 years later!

depend on soil fertility, age and developmental phases of plants. At the beginning of growth the plant requires a large number of nitrogen, during budding and flowering - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, during bud formation - only phosphorus and potassium. In the first two feedings (in the spring on snow and during budding), you can give nitrophoska at 100 g/m2. The third feeding should be done immediately after flowering: add granulated superphosphate (25-30 g) and potassium sulfate (10-15 g) or potassium magnesia (15-20 g). The mixture is dissolved in 10 liters of water (dose per 1 m2). After trimming

There is frost and snow outside, and we can already feel the approach of spring - soon the store shelves will be filled with long-awaited plants, and the receipt of ordered roots and seedlings will begin. For inexperienced flower growers, this time is quite difficult - after all, it is necessary not only to purchase planting material, but also to skillfully preserve it until planting.

When purchasing peonies in the spring, we usually experience very conflicting feelings: we really want to buy them and remember the recommendation to plant them only in the fall. Indeed, we always plant peonies in the fall, because at the end of August - beginning of September, peonies are dug up and divided. In September, we plant the purchased peony cutting in a permanent place.

Lately we have been talking more and more often about spring planting. This is explained by the fact that peonies come to us from Europe exactly at this time. Apparently this is more profitable for gardening companies importing peonies to Russia. But there is no reason to worry. Peony has two periods of growth of suction roots - in autumn (August-September) and spring (April-May). If in the fall we plant a piece of wood in the ground, in a permanent place, then in the spring, when we buy it in February-March (at this time, “foreign things” usually arrive), we cannot plant it in the ground - it is still frozen, so we plant it in pots. The size of the pots is 2-3 liters depending on the size of the division. And we keep the peonies in a cool, dark place (cellar, basement, glassed-in loggia, garage) until warm weather. I would like to warn you that in spring you can buy peonies with an open root system no later than the end of March. In April May, as soon as possible, we dig in pots of peonies in the garden. This way they can be kept until autumn. Over the summer, it will be possible to prepare a place for planting, lay planting holes in advance, and then, by transshipment, without disturbing the clod of earth, plant the peony in a permanent place. You can plant it in place without waiting for the fall (as a rule, that’s what I do).

Peony is one of the most beautiful flowering plants in our gardens. A huge palette of colors, a wonderful combination of shades and shapes of buds, will not leave anyone indifferent. Peonies arrived in Europe from Japan and China, where they had been known and grown for a very long time. In the East these beautiful plants are a symbol of prosperity, wealth and happiness.

In nature, flowers are found high in the mountains, so they are strong, disease-resistant and easy to grow. Learn how to grow peonies in the open ground - planting, propagation and caring for the plant when the season comes. best time for propagation and planting.

Description of the plant

Many types of peonies can reach the age of a turtle and are considered one of the longest-living garden plants. Peony's extreme modesty of care requirements makes it ideal for designing flower beds that are easy to care for.

Genus name Paeonia. Its history goes back more than 2600 years and begins in ancient China. Peony is one of the oldest plants grown by humans. At first it was planted in gardens for medicinal purposes (in China, the medicinal properties of peony are used to this day), and then they began to be grown for beauty.

So, peony is not only beautiful, but also valuable as a medicinal plant. It helps with:

dyspepsia;
gastrointestinal disorders;
migraine treatment;
neuroses;
as a pain reliever;
has a calming effect.

Botanical description

Leaves	Unpaired, dark green, become yellow, reddish, brown in autumn
Inflorescence	The main decoration of peonies is flowers - simple, semi-double and double. The calyx includes 5 sepals. The diameter of the flower is large, up to 25 cm. The color of the flowers is red, pink, white and their shades. There are yellow peonies (for example, Mlokosevich peonies). There are two-color varieties in which the small inner petals are a different color than the larger outer ones.
Fetus	Multileaf with large black, shiny seeds.
Root system	The underground part is powerful with cone-shaped, thick roots

Seeds of some species can decorate plants in the fall as beautifully as flowers in early summer. Just look at the seeds of the Caucasian peony (Paeonia daurica).

Milky-flowered (the most common) peonies begin to bloom in June. Early varieties begin to bloom at the beginning of the month, followed by mid-early ones. Late peonies bloom in July. These conditions, however, may change slightly and are largely dependent on the weather.

Types and varieties

Among the 33 species of peonies, the majority are perennials, while the rest grow as small shrubs.

Peony has about 35 species, the vast majority of which are herbaceous plants, and only a few are small shrubs. Among the large group we can highlight:

However, in the vast majority of our gardens the Chinese milky-flowered peony (Paeonia lactiflora) is found mainly. This species has the greatest variety of garden hybrid varieties. You can read more in the article about.

Growing peonies - step by step

Peonies are strong plants, long years decorating gardens, but some aspects of their care need to be paid attention to. These flowers are easy to grow and are recommended even for novice gardeners. Plants are very strong, stable, durable. They can grow in one place for up to 10-15 years, and are not very demanding.

Wintering

Most species and varieties are completely resistant to frost and do not need protection. However, in the first year after planting, it is recommended to cover the bush peonies with pine or spruce branches. In subsequent years (up to 4 years), it is advisable to provide protection for more sensitive species from severe frosts (several days at temperatures below -15 ° C). You must remember to remove the cover before new shoots begin to grow.

In winter, snow protects the lower parts of the shoots. Even if the tops freeze, the bushes will grow back after spring pruning. Therefore, it is not advisable to cover adult plants for the winter. This may speed up kidney development. As a result, the flowers will freeze during late spring frosts.

Transfer

Herbaceous peonies, unlike most others perennial plants, do not like division and replanting after a few years. They prefer to grow motionless in one place for decades. Then they bloom longer and better.

However, if perennial peonies are replanted, they must be divided. Too large nests of plants grow poorly and hardly bloom.

If there is a decrease in flowering on old plants, despite providing proper care, this is a signal for the need to replant the bush.

Peony transplantation - instructions with photos

Plants need 2-3 years to acclimatize to a new location.

How and when to prune peonies?

Peonies usually do not require any pruning. However, it is recommended to make 2 cuts:

Autumn - in late autumn (November, December) shoots are cut off to the first bud. Most of the leaves are removed from the bush.
Sanitary pruning in spring. After a cold winter (if the temperature drops below -20 ºC), especially in the case of less resistant varieties, freezing of the upper buds and entire branches may occur. You need to wait until the buds develop (late March, early April) and cut off visible frozen branches. Old bushes that are bare at the base can be rejuvenated. To do this, all branches 30-40 cm above the ground are cut off in the spring.

Cutting flowers and flower buds:

Tall shoots need to be tied to supports so that they do not fall to the ground.

Fertilizer after flowering

Feeding of peonies is limited to the period after flowering. During this time, plants develop flower buds next year. On poor, light soils, add compost. Fertilizers should contain as much potassium and less nitrogen as possible:

potassium increases flowering;
nitrogen increases susceptibility to fungal diseases.

When feeding bush peonies, avoid applying fresh manure and apply nitrogen fertilizers carefully. Otherwise, the plants become susceptible to diseases and fungi, and next year they bloom poorly and sometimes die.

In the fall, it is worth using mulching with well-decomposed manure (it should be carefully dug into the soil).

Watering

Peonies do not like wet soil. Under normal conditions they do not need watering because their roots reach 2 meters deep into the ground. Only during prolonged droughts do you need to water them. It is better to pour water at the root so as not to wet the flowers or leaves. This can expose plants to the development of pathogenic fungi and molds.

If in the fall, before the onset of frost, the weather is dry, you need to remember to water the plants the day before the onset of frost.

Landing

Landing dates

It is better not to plant peonies in the spring. Seedlings planted in spring must simultaneously take root and expand the root system, as well as supply nutrients to shoots and leaves. In unfavorable weather, this often leads to either the loss of the plant or a poor appearance, and only in the spring of next year the bush regains its decent appearance. But it may happen that we will have to remove most, if not all, of the shoots and wait for new ones to grow. Therefore, it is better to use spring planting as a last resort.

If vegetative seedlings with a whole lump of earth are used when planting, then the spring period will be quite favorable.

In the summer after flowering, you can try to divide the bush and replant the divisions; work is carried out at the turn of August and September.

Important! Replanting peonies requires cold and rainy weather.

Position and soil for planting

Peonies require, with some exceptions, a full space sunlight. Thanks to their powerful roots, they tolerate periods of drought well. However, in the first year after planting, watering is necessary during long periods without precipitation. Shrub varieties can be planted in partial shade, preferably where they receive afternoon and evening sun. Peonies need about 5 hours of sun per day to bloom well.

These flowers look best in groups. They do not like the company of other plants, especially tall trees, bushes.

Attention! Peonies should not be planted under pine trees, as this provokes the development of a common disease - peony rust.

When planting bush peonies, it is necessary to predict that after many years they will turn into tall thickets.

Best soils for peonies:

humus-clayey;
well permeable.

This is interesting! Peonies love fertile soil with pH 6.5-7.5. Some gardeners add bone meal and lime to the soil when planting if it is acidic.

Must be avoided:

water stagnation;
high groundwater level.

Planting stages

When planting, prepare a fairly deep hole so that the roots are freely distributed.
First, cover half of the roots with soil, lightly tamp the soil, and water.
When the ground settles, add the rest of the soil and water again.
Trim the above-ground part at a height of 5-10 cm.
After planting, it is recommended to distribute a layer of mulch around the plant, which will increase soil moisture.

Planting perennial herbaceous peonies

Planting layout:

tall varieties require from 80 × 80 cm to 100 × 100 cm for free growth;
low grade peonies require a feeding area from 60 × 60 cm to 80 × 80 cm.

The soil in the hole and around the planting site is carefully loosened. The hole should not be too small - at least 50-60 cm in diameter and no smaller than two shovels.

Soil preparation:

in the case of low-permeable soil, a drainage layer (gravel, crushed stone) is poured onto the bottom of the pit;
It is advisable to enrich sandy and poor soils with humus and loamy soil.

The plant is planted deep - the lower buds can be covered with a three-centimeter layer of soil. If the planting is too shallow, the peony will not bloom.

Seedlings need to be watered well.

Planting shrub (tree) peonies

Planting layout: Shrub peonies require, depending on the variety and degree of growth, a feeding area of 120 × 120 cm – 150 × 150 cm.

The soil is well loosened at the planting site and around.

Pit dimensions:

for small seedlings, the pit should have the same dimensions as for perennial peonies (diameter 50-60 cm, depth - 2 shovels);
for large bushes you need to prepare a hole 1/3 larger than the root ball.

The plant is planted at such a depth that the grafting site is 5-10 cm underground. It is very important that the peony can additionally create its own roots from the scion. If the plant is planted too high, it may dry out after a few years.

A layer of soil of 10-15 cm protects the grafting site from excessive drying, prevents the germination of excessively left stems, facilitates and accelerates the appearance of roots growing from the bottom of the shoots.

There are supporters of oblique planting of peonies, which should promote faster root growth. These roots are long enough to reach even low-lying water.

After planting, peonies need to be watered well. Poor soil is enriched in the same way as when planting perennial peonies.

Mycorrhization of roots

When planting, it is worth using mycorrhization of peony roots. Grafting a plant with mycelium strains has positive effects:

leads to better development peony;
facilitates the absorption of water and nutrients through the roots;
the plant becomes more resistant to diseases.

The procedure is carried out once in the life of a peony. If the plants were obtained by dividing large bushes and were not mycorrhized, such an operation can be carried out independently. Suitable preparations are available in garden stores. Such planting should ensure the correct further development of the plant, a pleasant appearance and abundant flowering. For peony, the drug Bio-mycorrhiza is suitable. Instructions for use can be read on the packaging. The amount of mycorrhiza solution depends on the size of the planting hole.

Care after landing

In the initial period after planting, regular weeding and watering during dry periods are necessary. Watering makes a difference, it lowers the temperature of the ground, which is important for these high altitude plants. It is necessary to water the plant regularly, especially the first 2-3 years after planting. For the winter, it is good to make a mound of earth that will protect the lower shoots from freezing.

In the first year after planting, fertilizers are not applied, because compost, which is quite rich in nutrients, has been added to the pit. Until the spring of next year, you can apply a dose of multicomponent fertilizer.

Photo. Peony shoots in April

Reproduction methods

There are 2 different groups peonies, which also differ in the method of propagation:

Herbaceous peonies change their above-ground part to a new one every spring. They reproduce only by dividing the root ball or by seeds.
Shrubs - only lose leaves in winter. Propagation from seedlings obtained by cuttings is possible.

Let's consider the known methods of propagating peonies:

root division;
vertical layers;
stem and root cuttings;
sowing seeds.

Propagation by seeds

Propagating peonies from seeds is relatively easy, but is not suitable for impatient gardeners. It will take 5-10 years before a new peony grown from seed produces its first flowers. Some hybrids are completely sterile and do not produce seeds.

Peony seeds very quickly lose their ability to germinate. Especially if they dry out a lot. Seeds that are collected from a plant in the fall and immediately sown germinate better.

The seeds are collected when the leaflets open. In order not to miss this moment, you need to put a pre-prepared bag made of thin agrotextile or nylon stocking on a brownish leaflet and tie it. The seeds are poured into the bag, nothing will be lost. The seeds are collected in August-September, stored in wet sand in winter at 1-5 ° C (you can carefully cut the tip for easier subsequent germination, but this is a risky job because the embryo can be damaged).

The collected seeds are most often sown immediately and watered so that they do not dry out. Rapid sowing is carried out not only because they lose germination, but also because they germinate more easily when their skin is soft.

Dried seeds take a year to hatch. In this case, during the first year after sowing, nothing happens outwardly - no germination, no leaves. Even cutting the skin does not improve the rate of germination. Only next season will the first shoot with leaves appear.

Old seeds also need a period of stratification. And those sown immediately can germinate before winter. You can allow the plant to self-sow.

The photo below shows how long it takes for seedlings to germinate and increase their vegetative mass.

Photo. One-year-old peony sprouts

Photo. Sprouts are 2 years old - you can see how the root mass has increased.

Cuttings

You can get new seedlings from bush peonies by rooting pieces of shoots. Experienced gardeners graft valuable shoots onto a strong peony rootstock. Amateur gardeners can try rooting cuttings or propagating by layering.

Reproduction by vertical layering

We put fairly dense wire rings on the shoots (ah, see picture). You can wrap the wire around all the shoots or around one. We make an earthen embankment (b) higher than the rings are installed. The mound should always be moist, but not wet. After 2 years, we check whether roots have appeared on the shoots above the ring. If so, we cut off the rooted shoot (c) and plant it in a new place.

Dividing the bush

In autumn, when the gardening season slowly comes to an end, peonies accumulate enough energy for the next season. If you need to plant a peony, the best time is autumn. The plant is in a dormant phase and will be able to tolerate division. Separation of older rhizomes is possible only in herbaceous peonies.

Stages of work:

Attention! The right way preparation of the drug is very important. We pour part of the measure of the drug into a bucket, and pour a little water into it, constantly stirring and crushing the resulting clots, for example, using a wooden stick. Pour in the next portion and repeat. Required amount water is added only after the drug has completely dissolved, otherwise the powder will not dissolve in water, but will stick to the walls of the bucket.

Dividing rhizomes in the spring is carried out as a last resort, when there is no other way out.

Diseases and pests

Under unfavorable conditions, peonies suffer from certain diseases.

Gray peony mold

During rainy summers, peonies are sometimes affected by gray mold (Botrytis paeoniae). Symptom of the disease - distinct brown spots, which appear at the base of young shoots. The shoots grow with discolored red leaves. Flower buds do not develop, and the stems disappear and die. Spots on leaves in humid conditions become covered with a gray coating (optional).

When the first symptoms of the disease are observed, you need to remove all the affected parts and spray the plants several times at weekly intervals with a fungicide - Biosept, Captan, Rural, Sarfun, Sumilex, Bravo.

Gray mold spreads only to above-ground parts of plants. In autumn, it is worth very shortening the shoots of peonies, because spore forms (sclerotia) of the fungus overwinter in them. When transplanting peonies to new locations, the rhizome should be thoroughly cleared of remaining stems and leaves to prevent the spread of infection. If the plants were previously sick, you need to soak the roots for 30 minutes in a solution of Sadoplon 75 or Captan 50 (prepared according to the recipe on the product label).

In the following year, plants that were infected with gray mold the previous year should be sprayed with fungicides at least 3 times every 2 weeks: the first time when the leaves begin to emerge, and the last time just before the start of the flowering season.

When the wet summer period begins, it is worth using systematic spraying of plants with a fungicide.

Powdery mildew

Appearance powdery mildew on leaves, flower buds and flowers, sometimes causing their distortion. To protect plants from powdery mildew, you need to ensure good air circulation between plants and sunny place landings.

Blistering rust of peonies

Symptoms of the disease: dark leaves have dark purple spots that can be seen around the second half of July. Soon after the spots appear, brown vesicular tubercles (pustules) appear on the underside of the leaf. Fungal spores ripen in them and spill out from bursting bags. Numerous spots cover large plots leaf. Severely infected leaves curl, dry out and die prematurely.

Cause: Cronarium flaccidum is the culprit. This is a rust dioecious fungus with a full development cycle. The intermediate host of the fungus is pine. On plants it produces urediniospores, teliospores and basidiospores. The fungus is transferred to Scots pine using basiliphora. On pine, this pathogen produces pycnospores and then echospores. When he releases the echospores from the bubbles on the pine bark, they again move towards the peony, hitting it.

Agrotechnical protection: in the fall, cut off the stems and destroy them by burning. Peonies should not be planted in close proximity to pine trees where rust could potentially occur.

Chemical protection: when rust is detected, plants are sprayed every 7-10 days with preparations of your choice: Sarfun 500 SC at 0.1%, Domark 100 EC at 0.05%, Penncozeb 80 WP at a concentration of 0.2%, Bumper 250 EC at a concentration 0.05%, Amistar 250 SC at a concentration of 0.05-1%.

Pests

Peonies are attacked by some pests.

Golden bronze

Symptoms: damaged petals on peony flowers. The pest also feeds on elderberry flowers, rowan and hawthorn.

Cause: beetle from the lamellar beetle family (Scarabaeidae). These insects are 15-20 mm long. The shell is golden-green with white small dots. In May, bronze beetles begin to eat plants and peony buds; they usually feed until the end of July, sometimes in August. After eating, females lay eggs in the soil.

The larvae feed on decaying plant debris and develop in the rotten remains of trees and shrubs, usually in above-ground and underground parts. At the end of summer they pupate in cocoons. In the fall, beetles appear and spend the winter.

Agrotechnical protection: manual collection of beetles sitting on buds and flowers.

Chemical protection: when there are a lot of beetles, use Decis 2.5 EC spray at a concentration of 0.05%.

Note: Only control very large numbers of pests when plant damage is high. The larvae live in the substrate, feeding on heavily decayed wood and leaves, which helps create compost. Therefore, bronze is useful.

Aphid

If ants are noticed on the peony, it’s worth taking a closer look to see if aphids have appeared. The ants themselves do not threaten peony buds. They are attracted to the sweet secretion produced by aphids - the ants feed on molasses. Aphids suck the juices of peonies. When it multiplies too much, its activity can cause the buds to dry out and the peony will not bloom that season. Foraging aphids secrete copious amounts of sticky honeydew, on which fungus grows (a black coating appears). Fungi, covering the surface of the leaf, limit the process of photosynthesis and prevent gas exchange.

While there are few aphids, you can spray the plant with a solution of soapy water (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water). If the pests have multiplied too much, you will have to use chemicals. Insecticides used: Confidor 200 SL, Sumi-Alpha (also destroys thrips). Spraying with the last two agents must be repeated after 7-10 days, because the next generation of aphids will be hatched at this time.

Why don't peonies bloom?

Below are the reasons why a peony does not bloom and what to do.

The soil is too poor. Peonies should be planted in permeable but fertile, moderately moist soils. Drying of flower buds occurs on plants planted on sandy soils that are too dry and poor.
Lack of water during the flowering period. By the time of flowering, especially during drought, flowers need quite intensive watering, since a lack of water leads to the drying out of flower buds. If there was an abundance of water in the soil, this cause can be ruled out.
Incorrect feeding. The reason for little flowering or complete absence of flowers on weaker soils is insufficient mineral or excessive nitrogen fertilizer. Since peonies, due to the huge mass of leaves that grow every year, are quite voracious plants in nutrients, in the spring they should be fertilized with an inorganic compound fertilizer with microelements, and immediately before flowering, you can additionally apply fertilizers for flowering plants containing increased doses of potassium.
Gray mold. Due to heavy rains and wet weather, peonies may bloom poorly, although they set many buds 0.5 cm in diameter, they become brown or blackened. The reason is gray mold. Most often, plants overfed with nitrogen are infected with this disease - such bushes are very large, intensively dark green leaves, soft to the touch. In wet years, plants should be sprayed with a fungicide every 7-10 days (detailed information can be found on the label of each product). If the summer is sunny and dry, it is enough to remove diseased and rotting parts of plants.

Use in landscape design

Peonies love individual positions, but sometimes they can be combined with other plants in flower beds. They look great with:

irises;
daylilies;
sage.

You can use them to decorate the borders of paths, lawns, and plant them in the center of flower beds.

When planning to plant a peony in the garden, it is worth knowing that plants love daytime sun, so best position for them it will be on the west side of the garden. Flowers should be planted in large groups on lawns. They will create clumps of lush greenery, breaking up the monotony of the grass.

How to keep peonies in a vase for a long time?

Peonies are a decoration for any garden, standing out among other plants for their size and unusual beauty. Also, a cut flower in a vase will decorate the apartment, filling it with a pleasant, unique aroma.

In order for flowers to please the eye and smell for as long as possible, you should follow a few tips:

shoots should be cut a few centimeters from the ground so that a few leaves remain on them;
the flower buds of a cut flower should not be more than half developed, or even better when they are less open;
stems with closed flowers cannot open in a vase, and highly developed stems quickly fall off;
shoots should be placed freely in the vase so that the leaves do not submerge in water;
The water in the vase must be replaced daily - to avoid heat shock, the water must be at a temperature environment;
you can add a little sugar to the water;
with each change of water, the stems are shortened by about 2-3 cm with a sharp knife, which does not tear the tissue and leaves a smooth cut surface;
the best water temperature for cut flowers is about 40 degrees Celsius, it contains less oxygen, due to which the flowers slow down the process of withering (aging);
V warm rooms flowers cost less than in the cold.

Double species do not bloom very profusely; simple and semi-double species are full of flowers.
The flowers of young plants have few petals, even in double varieties. Only after a few years do they reveal all their beauty.
If you buy a seedling in a pot, you need to look carefully at the plant and the place where the grafting was carried out - usually this is some kind of thickening. Many growers plant herbaceous perennial peonies in pots and then graft them. In this case, the grafting site is above ground level. This plant needs to be planted deep. When the seedling is pulled out of the pot, it is planted deeper than it grew in the pot, deepening the grafting site.

Conclusion

Peony is one of the most popular flowers. It creates very picturesque bushes, reaching about 1 meter in height, with large flowers up to 20 cm in diameter, with a pleasant aroma. The type of soil, planting method and depth, as well as the care and cultivation measures applied (draining the site, fertilizing, watering, gartering, pest and disease control) are critical to the growth of the plant and affect its flowering. With a relatively small amount of work and proper care, these flowers will decorate the garden for many years.

Many gardeners do not know how to replant peonies in the spring. However, by organizing an effective transplant into pots, with pre-purchased, prepared and correctly selected seedlings or seeds, and, if desired, into open ground, the gardener will receive colorful and healthy flower beds.

Peonies are considered to be quite finicky flowers, so they must be bred and cared for strictly in accordance with agrotechnical rules. In particular, all procedures related to the propagation of bushes should be done in early autumn. However, even children know that it is impossible to always follow the rules in everything. Sometimes circumstances develop in such a way that you have to act contrary to the instructions. If during the spring flood the flowerbed is flooded with melt water and you need to save the peonies from rotting, or you have started an urgent redevelopment of the site, which involves moving the flowerbed, willy-nilly you have to replant the peonies at the wrong time. In view of this, every gardener should know how to plant peonies in the spring.

If you need to replant peonies in early spring, when the ground has not yet warmed up or even thawed after winter, it is strictly forbidden to plant peonies in open ground. Fortunately, there is a simple solution - planting in a pot. It is chosen according to the size of the seedling or bush that is to be transplanted, but in any case, the volume of the pot should be at least 2-3 liters. In this form, peonies should be kept in a cool, dark place until the onset of full spring warmth.

It is important to note that if you buy peonies in the spring, then try to choose specimens with a more or less significant lump of earth on the rhizome. Peonies with a completely exposed root system can be purchased no later than the end of March. With the onset of warmth in April-May, peonies should be buried directly in pots in the garden and kept there until the fall, when it becomes possible to do a full planting. It is advisable to produce it directly in the original clod of earth, so remove the plant from the pot as carefully as possible.

As a last resort, if you really want to, you can plant a peony from a pot into open ground without waiting for autumn. But to do this, you need to make sure that the plant’s root system is ready for this. Carefully remove the peony along with the earthen lump from the pot: if the earth is entangled in thin white roots, it means that the plant will be able to take root in a new place. By the way, you shouldn’t keep a flower in a pot for too long. As practice shows, it is better to plant a peony root in the spring than to keep it in a pot until September. If the shoot is left in such cramped conditions for more than a year, it will not develop a rhizome, which will worsen general state plants.

When to buy peonies?

Peonies are to a certain extent sissies, and therefore you should be very careful in everything related to the purchase, planting and care of these flowers. And the first thing you need to start with is a competent selection of seedlings. Tree peonies with exposed root systems appear on sale towards the end of February, when planting material arrives en masse from European and Chinese nurseries. And although at this time of year there is still snow in most Russian regions, you need to buy them now, while the seedlings are still fresh and the rhizomes have not dried out from prolonged exposure to the air.

Having bought peonies in late February - March, immediately plant them in a pot. The grafting site, if any, should be sprinkled with a sand-ash mixture, which will protect the junction from rotting.

If you get a plant with buds that have not yet awakened, place it in a cellar or any other cool and dark place. In the event that the buds have already woken up, the pot should be placed on the window, where for this stage of development the plants will be optimal conditions- plenty of natural light and air temperature slightly below room temperature. In addition, for an already awakened plant, it is highly advisable to extend the daylight hours with artificial light for another 2-3 hours.

Thanks to this content in the pot, by the beginning of summer the peony root system acquires suction roots. And since their presence is required in order to plant peonies in the country in the spring, it makes sense to prepare a flowerbed only after visually examining the earthen clod. However, experienced gardeners prefer to wait until autumn, when late August - September is the optimal period for planting these plants.

If you buy seedlings with a closed root system, that is, in a pot, planting can be done at any time, the main thing is that it is warm outside and the earth is warm enough.

How to choose seedlings?

In order for your garden to be decorated with lush, noble peony bushes, and not bald flower beds, you need to understand not only how to plant peonies with tubers in the spring, but also how to choose planting material wisely. In particular, when purchasing seedlings, consider the following:

avoid overdried seedlings with blackened buds - they are only suitable for a herbarium, but not for planting in a flower bed;
do not believe sellers who claim that a hopeless seedling can be revived with growth stimulants;
avoid stores that sell “blue” or “black” peonies - this exotic does not exist either in nature or in breeders’ nurseries;
don't chase after low prices- quality defects are usually sold cheaply.

If in Soviet times amateur gardeners did not have much choice and had to take what they had, today the retail chain offers almost all the main varieties of peonies. So don't compromise and don't buy something you don't like. If suddenly in your flower shop the desired variety was not available, look for another store or, at worst, buy seedlings on the Internet. Moreover, today there are many specialized web resources where amateur flower growers like you exchange planting material for practically nothing.

Features of planting peonies

Regardless of when and how you decide to plant peonies - bushes in the spring or seedlings in the fall - this undertaking will only be successful if the place for the flower bed has been chosen correctly. In order for capricious flowers not only to take root, but also to bloom profusely every year, the flowerbed must:

well lit by the sun; if the shadow from trees or buildings covers the flowers for at least 2-3 hours a day, peonies will never bloom and will generally be stunted and weak;
be moderately hydrated, since a lack of moisture does not allow the plant to develop normally, and its excess provokes rotting of the root system;
have normal air circulation, which prevents the occurrence of diseases such as gray mold;
be protected from strong winds that can damage stems and flowers;
be located away from stone and metal surfaces, which quickly heat up in the sun and create an oven effect in the flower garden that is disastrous for peonies.

Thus, it is obviously most suitable place for planting peonies, there is a clearing in the central part of the garden, where delicate peonies will be protected from the winds, where there is no shade and normal air circulation is ensured.

Planting seedlings in open ground

When it comes to peonies, the default is to plant seedlings. It is this method that is most widespread because it is simpler and more reliable. However, you can plant peonies in the spring using seeds, which we will talk about a little later.

Before you begin planting work, you need to prepare a place for peonies. It is recommended to make the planting hole several weeks before the planned planting time. This is necessary so that the soil in the hole has time to settle.

The planting hole itself should be quite large, even if you are planting a very tiny seedling: the depth and width are about 50-70 centimeters. The main point of creating such a large “basement” is to create a sufficiently large volume of loose soil under the bush. The fact is that peonies grow very poorly in dense virgin soil, their rhizomes always develop along the path of least resistance, and in unprepared soil the root system spreads in the surface layer rather than going deep down. And since the surface layers contain little moisture, the plant becomes frail and sickly.

So, the planting hole should be filled more than half with a mixture of organic fertilizers, soil, bone meal and phosphates. The upper third of the hole is filled with ordinary soil removed from the hole earlier.

When planting peonies in low-lying areas with close to the surface groundwater, it is recommended to make a raised flower bed. Water will drain from the bulk bed faster, which means that peonies will not be threatened by root rot.

Planting peonies from seeds

Using seeds is another way to plant peonies in spring. True, it can be called spring with a certain degree of convention, since preparatory stage takes many months. In addition, you don’t even have to ask whether peonies planted from seeds in the spring will bloom - of course not. Seedlings produce their first flowers only in the fifth or sixth year of life.

If you already have mature peony bushes, you don’t have to buy seeds - you can use your own. The “harvest” should be collected in early autumn, when the seed pods on the bushes open slightly. If you simply plant them in the ground right away, they will sprout only in the second or third year. Therefore, it is recommended to use a more sophisticated technique.

The collected seeds are planted not in open ground, but in a pot, which, however, is still left outside until spring. At the beginning of March, the pot of seeds should be brought into warm room and store it like this until the onset of April or May heat. Only after this can the seedlings be planted in open ground.

As you can see, the answer to the question whether it is possible to plant peonies in the spring is quite affirmative. But there are specifics here that you should be aware of.

Peonies are distinguished by their highly decorative flowering and foliage, unpretentiousness and longevity. They are planted in late summer, early autumn. This is explained by the growth characteristics of their root system. Important points, defining lush flowering plants are the choice of a permanent location, proper planting and care, especially in the first year of the growing season. Peony needs fertilization, abundant watering. It is better to prevent flowering in the first year of growing season and cut off the flower stalks so that the plant takes root well and forms a healthy root system.

Peonies can be grown from seeds. However, this is the most difficult and time-consuming method of obtaining new plants, which does not guarantee the preservation of varietal characteristics. For these reasons, flower growers use it extremely rarely. It is easier and faster to propagate peonies vegetatively:

stem and root cuttings;
kidney renewal;
layering;
dividing the bush.

The simplest and an effective way to obtain planting material is to divide the bush.

Adult bushes that have been growing in one place for more than 8 years must be divided. The method allows you not only to quickly, easily and in sufficient quantities obtain planting material, but also to rejuvenate the bush.

The division of the bush is carried out in the first half of August and consists of sequentially performing a series of actions.

1. The selected bush is dug up from all sides with a garden fork and carefully pulled out of the soil.
2. The rhizome is freed from the ground: shaken, then washed with water.
3. The bush is left to dry for 3-5 hours, then the shoots are cut to a height of 10-15 cm.

After this, you can begin dividing the rhizome. Most often, the bush is easily separated into pieces, and only in rare cases does it have to be cut. Each division should have 2-3 growth buds and roots at least 15 cm long.

Features of the root system

The underground part of peonies consists of rhizomes and roots themselves, different in origin and vegetation.

Rhizome is the wintering part of the plant on which renewal buds are formed. New shoots, crowned with flowers, grow from them every year.

Peony roots themselves are divided into 3 types, differing appearance, timing of development and function performed.

Storage roots are tuberous, thick brown formations that develop due to the thickening of adventitious roots that have accumulated nutrients.
Adventitious roots - extend directly from the rhizome and perform a penetrating function, going deep into the soil up to a meter. Having reached solid layers of soil, they grow to the sides.
Suction - thin white roots that grow annually from the accessory roots and die off in the winter. They provide the plant with a solution of nutrients, being the most working part of the root system.

The formation and growth of the peony root system takes place in 2 stages.

1. In the spring, in April or May, adventitious roots grow. After flowering, when the growth of shoots and leaves stops, a supply of nutrients is formed in the adventitious roots. They thicken and turn into storage cells. Thanks to the presence of this reserve, rapid and early development of shoots occurs next spring.
2. In autumn (end of August, September), suction roots grow rapidly.

When to plant flowers?

It is better to carry out all manipulations with peony roots (dividing the bush, replanting) before the beginning of the autumn growth of suction roots, in the first half of August. Otherwise, the thin suction roots are severely injured and the plant does not take root well in the new location.

Additional arguments in favor of August planting are:

cessation of vegetation of the entire above-ground part of the plant;
formation of buds of growth or renewal;
increased development of suction roots in September, thanks to which plants have time to take root before the onset of winter.

It happens that you can only purchase the desired peony variety in the spring. In this case, you will have to carry out an unscheduled spring planting.

If the plant was purchased before the snow melted or the threat of frost on the soil disappeared and it is too early to plant it in open ground, then:

the peony is placed in a wide container and covered with soil;
put in a cool, dark place;
water occasionally.

As soon as the first reddish shoots of sprouts appear, the peony is transferred to a brighter place.

When the daytime air temperature is 10°C, peonies can be planted in open ground in a permanent place.

Selecting a location

Varietal peonies have been growing in one place for decades, so when planting, you should approach its choice with the utmost seriousness. Significant factors are lighting, composition and soil properties.

Lighting

Peonies need good lighting, but do not tolerate long-term (several hours) exposure to direct sunlight: the buds fade and become smaller.

The ideal place for a peony would be:

the eastern side of the garden or cottage, with good morning and evening lighting and slight shading from midday rays;
at a considerable (at least 1.5-2 m) distance from trees and bushes, walls and fences.

Lack of light negatively affects flowering: the number of buds, their size and brightness of color decreases.

The soil

Peonies grow in any soil, but they also look different:

Flowers growing on sandy soils are characterized by a large number of thin shoots with small leaves and numerous small buds.
On clay soils, peonies develop powerful shoots, large leaves and large buds, but the development of the plant is slow. Flowering occurs later.
They look worst on peaty soils, which have an acidic environment.

Peonies require cultivated, well-drained, slightly acidic or neutral loamy soils with high air and moisture permeability.

If there are none on the site, then you will have to take appropriate measures:

clay soils are enriched with humus or lowland (black) peat and sand is added;
acidic ones are neutralized by adding lime, dolomite flour or chalk: 1 kg/m2.

When choosing a planting site, you should pay attention to the soil moisture in the area. Peonies are moisture-loving, but they cannot tolerate even slight stagnation of water, especially in spring and autumn.

To prevent root rotting when planting, drainage is placed at the bottom of the holes: fine gravel or broken red brick in a 20 cm layer, sprinkled with sand on top.

Choosing the right place for planting is the key to quick adaptation of the plant, good development and lush flowering.

Landing rules

Prepare for planting peonies in advance. 1-2 weeks before the planned date, cone-shaped holes are dug. Their sizes are determined by the height of the plants.

Planting holes are filled 3/4 with nutrient soil, which is used as:

herbal compost with added charcoal or ash;
a mixture of humus, sand, black peat and turf soil, taken in equal quantities, with the addition of mineral fertilizers: 100 g of superphosphate, 300 g of bone meal or wood ash, 1 tbsp. l. iron sulfate;
humus or compost enriched with superphosphate (200 g) and potassium sulfate (100 g), with the addition of 300 g of wood ash and 100 g of lime.

The nutrient mixture will ensure early development of the peony in the spring and will greatly facilitate care. The soil must settle, which is important for favorable plant survival. Immediately before planting, the hole filled with nutrient soil is well watered, allowing the water to be completely absorbed.

After 1 - 2 weeks, the separated parts of the peony are placed in the hole, deepening the growth buds by 5 cm. With deeper embedding, the plant will require a lot of effort to force out the shoots. Growth buds left on the surface may freeze in winter. The plant is well watered. After this, mulch with compost or the remaining soil mixture without fertilizers.

Care

Caring for peonies is simple and consists of carrying out traditional activities for a gardener: fertilizing, watering, weeding and loosening, removing faded buds and preparing for winter.

The most active period for the development of peonies is the first year after planting. At this time, the plants are cared for with special care.

Top dressing

In the first year of the growing season, from May to mid-June, complex mineral fertilizers enriched with nitrogen are applied once every 2 weeks.

Dry mixtures are scattered and mixed with the soil around the bush, followed by watering.
The tree trunk circle is shed with a solution of mineral fertilizers.

The application of fertilizers to the soil is combined with foliar fertilizing, carried out 3 times with an interval of 2-3 weeks:

1. the reddish shoots that appear are sprayed with a urea solution (30 or 40 g per 1 liter of water);
2. The bush is treated with a less concentrated urea solution (30-40 g per 5 liters of water), adding a microfertilizer tablet to it;
3. The latter is carried out with a nutrient solution of microfertilizers: 2 tablets per 5 liters of water.

Carrying out foliar feeding It is especially important in the first year of bush growth, since the plant has not yet formed a full-fledged root system.

Subsequent feeding is carried out according to the following scheme:

1. preventive: immediately after the snow melts, the soil around the bush is spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate (1-2 g per 5 liters of water);
2. nitrogen-potassium: carried out during the active growth of shoots (May) using rotted organic matter with the addition of nitrogen and potassium: 15-20 g of fertilizer are evenly distributed in the soil at a distance of 15-20 cm from the rhizome;

in the first 2-3 weeks after the appearance of sprouts and in the absence of rain: 1 time with an interval of 2-3 days, 15-20 liters per bush;
subsequently moisturize less frequently, but abundantly: 2-3 buckets of water are poured under each adult bush once a week.

The day after moistening to retain moisture and enrich the soil with oxygen trunk circle carefully loosen, combining this procedure with the removal of weeds.

Regular watering is especially important during flowering and after it ends, so it is carried out until the end of August.

Preparing for winter

In September, peonies are prepared for wintering:

bushes spud;
shoots of herbaceous forms are cut to a height of 10-15 cm;
The bush is covered with a layer of spruce branches, dry leaves, sawdust or shavings.

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