When and how to transplant peonies
Miscellaneous / / August 08, 2023
If everything is done correctly, the plant will bloom in the next season.
When to transplant and divide peonies
Adult peonies grow in a large and powerful bush, the flowers on which become smaller and smaller over time. In order for the plant to remain compact and the flower caps to be lush and large, it is worth dividing the peony every 4-6 years.
The procedure is carried out towards the end of the season - from about mid-August to early October. The main thing is to have time to transplant peonies a month before the onset of autumn frosts, otherwise the bushes risk taking root poorly and may not survive the winter.
How to choose a place for a peony transplant
Look for a well-lit and sunny area, protected from strong winds. You can also grow a peony so that in the afternoon it is in a light shade. The plant does not tolerate waterlogged soil, so do not plant it in flower beds where water stagnates after rains or spring snowmelt.
How to dig up a peony for transplanting
Cut off all the stems of the plant with a sharp pruner, leaving "stumps" 10-15 cm high.
Step back from the center of the bush about 20-25 cm and dig it from all sides to the depth of a shovel bayonet. In the process, one way or another, the roots will be damaged and broken off, but this is not scary.
Dig up an earthen ball with roots from below on all sides until you can get a bush. Do not try to pull the peony by the remains of the stems, otherwise the dormant buds on the rhizome may be damaged.
Gently shake off the remaining soil around the roots.
Place the rhizome in a container of water and leave for an hour. This will help free the peony from soil and dirt.
1 / 0
Frame: SUPER - VACATION at the COTTAGE / YouTube
2 / 0
Frame: SUPER - VACATION at the COTTAGE / YouTube
How to divide a peony
Cut the peony rhizome with a large sharp knife or wood saw into the desired number of pieces. It is important that at each new plot there are at least 2-3 dormant buds at the base of the stems. They are usually white or pinkish in color.
1 / 0
Frame: SUPER - VACATION at the COTTAGE / YouTube
2 / 0
Sleeping peony buds. Frame: SUPER - VACATION at the COTTAGE / YouTube
If the thick roots of the plot are too long, cut them with secateurs, leaving 15β20 cm.
Powder all cuts on the rhizome with wood ash. This will help to disinfect the "wounds".
How to plant a peony
Dig a hole 60 cm deep and 60 cm in diameter. If you plan to plant several peonies in a flower bed, place them at least 90 cm apart. At the bottom of the pit, pour 3 liters of sand, 10 liters of compost, 2 tablespoons of superphosphate and 5 tablespoons of wood ash.
Fill the hole almost to the top with the garden soil that was left after digging. Mix all ingredients thoroughly with a spatula.
Pour 10 liters of water into the hole and wait until it is completely absorbed into the soil.
Place the peony plot in the center of the hole so that the buds are no more than 4 cm below ground level. Adjust the amount of soil if necessary.
Fill all the voids around the peony with soil.
It does not need to be watered, because the pit was well moistened before planting.
How to care for a peony after a transplant
A plant in a new place can not be fed for 2 years. He will have enough food laid in the pit when landing. All that a flower needs is regular watering and loosening the soil around the bush. How to properly care for a peony after planting, read in our material.
Read alsoπΈπ±πΈ
- How to plant an apricot and grow it
- When and how to transplant lilac
- How to plant juniper and grow it