Peonies are strong hardy plants with beautiful carved leaves and fragrant flowers. They are very decorative and serve as decoration of any garden. The buds begin to blossom in early June and delight us, depending on the variety, until mid-summer. The bushes bloom very abundantly and can cure under the weight of their heads, so they must be tied. Only non-double peonies can do without support.
Care
In spring, as soon as the snow melts, it is necessary to water the plant with a solution of potassium permanganate. This will help protect young shoots from rot and stimulate the development of the root system. When the sprouts appear, they must be treated with Bordeaux liquid. Further, plants need careful loosening, weeding and fertilizing.
During the summer, peonies are fed 3 times: at the beginning of growth, at the stage of budding and after flowering.
They do not tolerate stagnant water in the roots, but twice a month they need good watering. Especially in late spring, during rapid growth, and in the middle of summer. It is very important to ensure proper care of peonies after flowering. In these months and a half, new buds are laid, and the plant should receive enough moisture and nutrients.
Before freezing, the aerial part is cut off at the base, and plant residues are burned.
How to get large flowers
This can be achieved by plucking buds on the side shoots while they are still the size of a pea. On one peduncle, one head must be left so that it develops in full force.
From the bush you can take for the bouquet no more than a third of the flowers, the rest must be left. It is important to protect the vegetative mass of the plant and cut the stems only to 1/3 of their height. Care for peonies after flowering is to remove the falling petals - once they fall on the leaves, they can provoke fungal diseases.
Young specimens under the age of 3 years should increase the root system, so the buds are completely removed from them. The richest flowering occurs at the age of 4-10 years, although the bush can successfully grow in one place up to 60 years.
A place under the sun
Sometimes plants develop well, but form very few buds. They get enough moisture, all the necessary fertilizers, peony care after flowering is also carried out according to all the rules, but the result of the efforts remains modest. What is the matter?
Peonies love the sun. Even 2-3 hours of shading per day can affect them badly. They are not planted against walls, in tree-trunk circles, near buildings. Only open sunny areas are suitable for peonies.
Soil requirements
Peonies are unpretentious, but they have their own preferences. They grow best on cultivated, well-drained loams. Soil reaction should be neutral. The care of peonies in the country should include a periodic measurement of acidity, since when fertilizing the land is usually acidified. If necessary, the soil should be liming.
Peat has an acid reaction, peonies do not like it either in the form of fertilizer or as mulch.
How to feed peonies
Top dressing starts from the first year of planting - from the moment the shoots appear until the end of June. It is best to use mullein. It is bred at a ratio of 1:10 and poured into pre-spilled grooves around the bush. Then they are sprinkled with earth.
Mullein can be replaced by the introduction of full mineral fertilizer, it is also able to provide complete care for peonies.
After flowering, the plant needs phosphorus and potassium to strengthen tissues. They are also introduced into the groove, then moistened and covered with earth.
Twice during the summer, peonies can be sprayed with Epin or Zircon.