- In October, cut perennial just above the ground.
- In autumn, it is worth using phosphorus-access fertilizers that strengthen the roots and increase resistance to frost, avoiding nitrogen fertilizers.
- Young peonies and those growing in cooler regions should be protected against frost, covering them with spruce branches, agrotextile or straw.
- The best time to overdo and plant peonies is the second half of August and the beginning of September, although planting is also possible in spring (April), but transplanting in spring is not recommended.
One of the key care treatments of peonies is their pruning. However, it is not only about cutting the overwhelmed inflorescences, as soon as the petals fall or wither, but about a radical cut. Beautical peonies die only in autumn and that’s when we should significantly shorten the stems. Autumn is also a good time to repay and plant these flowers.
When to cut the peonies? In October, carry out a radical cut
Pruning tree peonies must be carried out right after flowering, because these plants bloom on last year’s shoots. However, it is about shortening the shoots by half. If we do it too late, the flowers may not bloom next season. The care of perennial peony looks completely different. Although the flowers have faded a long time ago, the peony leaves remain green for a long time, and in September they are slowly red. Therefore, pruning should be left until autumn. However, this must be done before the first frosts. Preferably until October 15. Although some gardeners believe that at a warm autumn, the cut can be done even at the end of November. However, it should be remembered that the procedure can damage the plant too late. Pruning peonies in autumn protects the plant against diseases and pests and makes the garden look aesthetically. We cut the perennial peonies before winter using a sharp pruning shears. We cut the shoots just above the ground. Thanks to this, they will reflect stronger and healthier in spring, which translates into flowering abundance. In addition, during the growth of peonies, it is worth removing side flower buds, leaving only the main bud. Then there will be less flowers, but they will be large. However, cutting the peak packs and leaving the lateral, gives the effect of more flowers, but of smaller sizes. After flowering the peonies, we cut the inflorescences along with a fragment of the shoot. In this way, we do not allow fruit to bond, which could negatively affect flowering in the next season.
Autumn peony fertilization
Autumn is also a good time to fertilize peonies. We avoid nitrogen fertilizers that stimulate plants to grow, and focus on phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Phosphorus strengthens the roots, and potassium increases frost resistance. We can use a special autumn fertilizer for flowering plants or compost. We spread the fertilizer around the plants and mix gently with the soil. We dose according to the instructions on the packaging.
How to protect the peonies against winter?
Winter is a time when peonies retire. During this period, they do not require intensive care, but it is worth checking their condition from time to time. Young peonies, planted in autumn or those growing in cooler regions, may require additional frost protection. We can cover them with spruce branches, agrotextile or a thick layer of straw. The litter layer should be about 5-10 cm thick. During the thaw, it is worth checking if water is not accumulating in the peony area. Excess moisture can lead to root rot. We perform drainage if necessary.
Autumn is a good time to plant and transplant the peonies
If we are wondering when to overdo the peonies, the hint will be their weaker growth and lack of flowering. However, it should be remembered that Peoni tolerate changes badly. It happens that after transplanting they do not bloom even for 2 seasons. Therefore, you need to be patient and give pets time for regeneration. When it comes to conducting the procedure, the same rules as when planting apply. We exaggerate and plant peonies in the second half of August or at the beginning of September. If we do it later, we have to reckon with the fact that flowering may also be later next year. It is important, however, to put tubers in the ground long before frosts. Plants must root well to strengthen before it grabs the frost. According to more superstitious gardeners, peonies must be planted on September 1, thanks to which they will bloom abundantly. When the date is not preserved, there is a risk that you will have to wait a few years for flowers. So much when it comes to superstitions. However, we must not forget that on hot days, we plant peonies in the evening.
Planting peonies in spring. This must be remembered
Although the optimal date of the peonies is the end of August and the beginning of September, we can also carry out such a procedure in spring. If we buy tubers with roots, they can be planted in April. However, do not overdo the peoni at this time. We can damage the root system, which will adversely affect its condition and growth.
How to overdo the peonies?
Choose a sunny or slightly shaded place with a fertile, permeable soil with pH 6-7. Peonies do not like too acidic or too alkaline soils. Prepare a hole with a diameter and a depth of about 50 cm. Carefully dig up, trying not to damage the roots. It’s best to use forks for this, not a shovel. Clean the roots of excess soil. If the peony is very large and thick, you can divide it into smaller parts. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to separate individual shoots, making sure that each part has at least 3-5 buds. Place the pead in the hole so that the buds are about 3-5 cm below the surface of the earth. Planting too deep can cause peony to bloom. Hill the hole with soil, gently kneading. Pour over the exaggerated beer. You can also add phosphorus -otle fertilizer to the water, which will help the plant to root yourself.
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