Autumn is the time to prepare perennial plants for winter. It is in the fall that you must carefully take care of your peonies so that they can successfully overwinter and produce many beautiful buds again next year.
Note! Ignoring autumn care and preparing peonies for winter often leads to the fact that the plant...
What to do with peonies in the fall
As a rule, the basic measures for caring for plants after flowering and when preparing peonies for winter include the following:
- summer pruning of buds after flowering;
- autumn feeding;
- autumn pruning;
- loosening and weeding;
- mulching;
- shelter for the winter.
You can also replant the shrub to a new location(after dividing), of course, if there is a need or necessity for this.
By the way! About how to properly divide and replant peonies in autumn and spring.
Feeding peonies in the fall: timing and fertilizers
Feeding peonies is usually done a couple of weeks after they have flowered and the flower stalks have been trimmed. In other words, the approximate dates for the autumn application of fertilizers for peonies are August-early September, and the specific dates depend on the climatic conditions of your region.
Interesting! Many gardeners combine fertilizing with autumn pruning of stems.
As for what fertilizers peonies require during this period, it is, of course, phosphorus and potassium, for example, a mixture of the same superphosphate and potassium sulfate or bone meal and wood ash. Alternatively, you can use any fertilizer labeled “autumn.”
Important! In autumn, nitrogen fertilizers, which stimulate the growth of green mass, should never be used.
There are the following ways to feed peonies and other plants:
- in dry form;
- in liquid form.
If the autumn turns out to be dry, then it is better to dilute phosphorus-potassium fertilizers in water according to the instructions and apply directly under the roots. A liter of this solution is enough for each bush.
In rainy weather, it is better to use granular fertilizers, which gradually enter the root system of the plant. Typically, dry fertilizers are scattered in the tree trunk of the plant, lightly embedding them into the soil.
Video: how to feed peonies in the fall, pruning for the winter
When and how to prune peonies correctly after flowering and in the fall (for winter)
Why prune plants after flowering and for the winter?
Many gardeners wonder whether it is necessary to prune peonies for the winter in the fall.
Naturally, not all novice flower growers know and understand why it is necessary to cut off the foliage of this perennial shrub in the fall, because often they (the leaves) at first glance are not affected by any diseases or pests, but have only turned yellow and dried out, because... The next cycle of development of this flower has ended.
Interesting! Some summer residents even advise not to trim peonies in the fall, but, on the contrary, to leave them like that for the winter so that they can remove rotten leaves in the spring.
However, it is worth understanding that wilted foliage that remains uncut is an ideal place for overwintering various pests and their larvae. Pathogenic microorganisms (fungi) can also “hide” there.
By the way! Of course, if the leaves are clean and you are 100% sure that the plant is healthy, then you may not need to trim it until spring, especially if it is already deep autumn, and the leaves are still green. Otherwise (if the leaves are clearly damaged by something), in addition to pruning, you should also treat the stems remaining after pruning and the soil around the peonies with a fungicide (spray with an anti-disease agent).
Thus, autumn pruning of peonies is carried out to prevent fungal diseases that can affect peony bushes.
Worth knowing! The most common and dangerous fungal disease that affects peonies is This is botrytis (grey mold).
When to prune after flowering and in autumn (for winter)
Timing is also important in this matter.
So, first time peonies prune after flowering, and at this time they only remove faded buds(it is recommended to leave 3-4 leaves on the stem). This way the bush will look much tidier. Naturally, do not touch the foliage.
Video: how and when to prune peonies after flowering
The fact is that after flowering, the process of photosynthesis continues in the leaves, which allows the roots (more precisely, root tubers) to accumulate useful substances necessary to restore the plant’s strength after flowering, so to speak, to prepare for future flowering.
Autumn pruning of peonies carried out directly at the end of the season, those. before winter, when the leaves have already turned yellow and began to dry out.
Many summer residents agree that the later you trim peonies, the better it will be. So, pruning of peonies in the fall is carried out before or immediately after the first light night frosts, i.e. with the onset of a steady cooling, when the average daily temperature drops to 5-7 degrees, i.e. around October.
How to trim correctly
Trimming peonies in the fall is very simple: you need cut the stems practically to soil level (level with the ground), better without any stumps at all(like), but you can leave 2-5 cm (some gardeners even recommend up to 10-15 cm).
Important! All cut shoots along with foliage are immediately taken out of the area and burned, rather than left in the tree trunk circle. Or they throw it into a compost heap, where, as mentioned earlier, there may be pest larvae and pathogenic fungi.
Video: pruning peonies in autumn
Further care of peonies in the fall after pruning: loosening, mulching
After you carry out the autumn pruning of peony leaves, the trunk circle should carefully (do not damage the renewal buds), slightly loosen(by 2-3 cm) and weed from appeared weed.
Why is it important to remove weeds promptly?
If you don’t do this, the weeds will take root and simply take away nutrition from your cultivated plants.
After the peonies loosening procedure, you can mulch the bushes, pouring out a little compost or humus. This will also provide additional fertilizer and cover.
Is it necessary and how to properly cover peonies for the winter?
Fertilizing and pruning peony bushes are the main steps to prepare this flowering perennial for winter. However, if this is necessary, then it is also important to properly cover the peonies for the winter so that they do not freeze (or dry out).
For obvious reasons, this procedure (shelter) is especially relevant for those cold regions where there are severe frosts in winter and little snow falls (or peonies are planted in a place where snow simply does not accumulate or lingers, for example, it is blown away by the winds).
Advice! In any case, you can insulate peonies yourself by throwing snow on them with a shovel.
How can you insulate peonies for the winter?
As a rule, most gardeners cover peonies for the winter with spruce branches (spruce branches).
Either lay a layer of mulch on top (5-10 cm) (so to speak, spud up), using rotted sawdust, peat, humus or compost.
Something to remember! Cut foliage of the plant cannot be used as a covering material, in which “harmful” insects and pathogenic microorganisms may remain overwintering.
However, do not overdo it, because peony is a fairly winter-hardy plant that can quite successfully overwinter without shelter even in the conditions of the Middle Zone (Moscow region). But it will dry out as best it can, so no films or similar coverings!
Important! In the fall, be sure to remove the cover from peonies and/or uncrowd the bushes in time!
Features of pruning and preparing tree peony for winter
The procedure for autumn pruning of tree peonies is several different from herbaceous.
As you know, the peony was called a tree peony because the shrub has main and skeletal branches. Therefore, if you cut the bushes completely, the peony will not bloom until a new skeleton grows again.
Thus, tree peonies no need to trim stems(unless you want to shape your “tree” in a special way), another thing is that you should remove all withered foliage.
Advice! However, if you want enhance the growth of young shoots and by this promote more abundant flowering of perennials next year, then you need to carry out stimulating autumn pruning of the tree peony, namely, trim all woody stems to a height of 0.7-0.9 m.
As for whether tree peonies require shelter for the winter, then the answer is also negative - no, not required.
By the way! But it is very advisable to cover newly planted or transplanted bushes of tree peonies for the winter, or rather, mulch them.
Video: is it necessary to prune and cover tree peonies for the winter?
Thus, preparing peonies for winter is a very important process, the correct implementation of which determines how well they will survive the winter and be ready to bloom for the next season. Therefore, if you want your perennial flowering plants to only delight the eye with their colorful and abundant flowering, then take the time to carry out autumn pruning, and also do not forget to feed and, if necessary, cover your peonies for the winter.
Video: autumn care and preparation of peonies for winter - pruning, fertilizing, mulching (hilling up), shelter
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Caring for peonies in the fall, preparing for winter which begins long before the arrival of frost, must be carried out every year. Peony is a perennial flowering plant that does not require special care. In the autumn, it is necessary to carry out several simple agrotechnical measures to help the plant bloom actively next year.
What rules exist for preparing a plant for canopy so that the bushes survive in frost will be discussed in this article. Also, you will learn how to properly carry out pruning plants and its insulation for the winter.
Features of caring for peonies in autumn
The main activities for caring for peony fall in the fall. At this time, some procedures should be carried out:
Care
This crop tolerates winter quite well, and under cover it can withstand severe frosts. Therefore, peonies are not dug up to preserve the tubers. This is done only in case of transplantation or reproduction.
Preparing peonies for transplantation
Peony transplantation is necessary to rejuvenate the plant. Several measures should be taken before the procedure. All work is carried out in the autumn.
- 30 - 45 days before transplantation, dig holes in the selected location. The depth of the hole will depend on the size of the root. Typically, a hole is dug to a depth of 60–70 cm with a diameter of 50–70 cm.
- If you plan to divide the bush for propagation during transplantation, you need to prepare several holes at once. In this case, they should be placed at a distance of 80-100 cm from each other. This is necessary for peonies to grow and develop normally. In addition, it will be easier for the gardener to care for the plants.
- The dug holes are filled with fertilizer, which includes humus, peat, and compost. All components are taken in equal quantities. To create a more nutritious soil, it is recommended to additionally add bone meal, superphosphate or potassium sulfate.
Advice! If the area is clayey, add about 150 - 170 grams of slaked lime to the soil.
- If the soil on which the flowers will be planted has poor water permeability, a drainage layer should be arranged at the bottom of the holes. You can use river sand or fine gravel as it. Fill the hole with it to a height of 15 - 20 cm from the bottom.
- All of the above components must be mixed with soil from the dug hole. Fill the holes halfway with the resulting mixture.
Watch the video! Peony transplant in October
Time to transplant peonies
After 10 years of a plant’s life, you need to think about its rejuvenation. This is why a transplant is needed. The most favorable time for this event is the end of summer - beginning of autumn.
Step-by-step instructions for transplantation
After completing the preparation of the site for planting the peony, you need to wait for a good autumn day and start replanting the plant. Let's look at the step-by-step steps of this procedure.
- We trim the aerial part of the bush so that the stumps are about 10 - 15 cm from the ground.
Important! As a result of the special structure of the plant’s root system, a shovel cannot be used to dig up a bush. The work is carried out using garden forks.
Top dressing
In the spring, the peony devotes a lot of energy to the growth of green mass and flowering. By autumn, its root is in a weakened state. Despite this, the formation of new roots and preparation for wintering begins.
In the fall, before the onset of frost, the peony must be fertilized so that it receives the necessary nutrients and better withstands the winter cold. All useful substances accumulate in those parts of the root that are larger. During the spring period of plant development and flowering, the root releases accumulated elements to its above-ground part.
As practice has shown, it is best to fertilize peony from mid-September to the end of October. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the climatic conditions of the region, especially the time of frost.
Advice! It is important to feed the peony 1-1.5 months before the first frost.
Mineral fertilizers
In areas with alkaline and low acidity of the soil, phosphorus fertilizers are used. The most popular of them is superphosphate, which is sold in the form of granules. In order for the plant to actively form buds in the spring, from which huge and lush flowers appear, in the fall the soil around the bush is treated with superphosphate at a rate of 1 m. sq. - 50 g. If there is acidic soil, additionally add dolomite flour, chalk and limestone.
A good fertilizer with a high phosphorus content is phosphate rock. It is obtained by processing rocks, which are used in powder form. By the beginning of spring, all phosphorus fertilizers have time to turn into a product that is completely assimilated by the plant.
For peony, potassium fertilizers are also important. They can be applied to flowers growing in any type of soil. Potassium helps the plant survive on severe frosty days. Most often, gardeners use the following fertilizers:
- potassium chloride;
- potassium sulfate.
They participate in the formation of buds and strengthen the roots in the fall.
Fertilizer is applied to the plant in dry form. The fertilizer consists of 15 g of phosphorus, 10 g of potassium. Then this place is well filled with water in order to receive not only nutrition, but also to provide the plant with moisture before wintering.
You can also prepare liquid fertilizer:
- for 10 liters of water;
- take 1 tablet of multicomponent fertilizer - “Kemira-Combi” or “Kemira-Osen” (superphosphate, potassium sulfate).
Important! You cannot apply nitrogen fertilizers in the fall.
Top dressing peony is not fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers in the autumn. The fact is that these minerals contribute to the active growth of the plant, and with the onset of winter cold they are still developing. Therefore, the flower may be too vulnerable in frost. Nitrogen fertilizers will come in handy in the spring, when the plant wakes up and begins to grow rapidly.
Organic fertilizers
This type of fertilizer is considered the most useful for peonies. Thanks to organic matter, the soil near the plant is enriched with humus. As a result, the soil structure improves significantly, and beneficial microorganisms located in it actively develop. Gardeners prefer to use natural organic matter:
Animal organics
Organic fertilizer in the form of manure is laid out under the bush in the fall (September-October). Volume: 4 kg per 1 sq. m. Bird droppings, which are rich in various nutrients, are valued. It contains much more vitamins and minerals than cow manure. The amount of substance introduced is the same as for humus.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that peonies begin to be fertilized after transplantation only in the third year. Any type of fertilizer should be applied under the bush with extreme caution. Place nutritional supplements so that they do not touch the root neck of the flower.
Autumn pruning
After applying fertilizer, you can begin pruning the above-ground part of the peony. Straightaway after flowering The plant cannot be trimmed. This procedure is carried out annually in the fall without fail. There are many reasons for this.
- In spring, old branches are very difficult to prune.
- Spring pruning can harm young buds that are still in the ground.
- Leaves that are not cut in autumn provide an excellent environment for the life and reproduction of many harmful insects.
Pruning peonies in the fall does not present any difficulties. To carry out the procedure, you need to choose the right time. It is best to trim the bushes 7-14 days before the first frost. You can determine the cutting time yourself.
The peony leaves begin to turn red and fall off after a while. This is a signal that you need to take a knife and start working. Before this time, pruning cannot be done, since the process of photosynthesis occurs in the plant, which continues until the onset of frost. Pruning your peony early may affect its flowering the following season. In some cases, buds may not appear at all.
Withered foliage is cut off almost to the ground, without going deep into the underground part of the plant. Otherwise, the buds and upper part of the roots may be damaged. It is also not recommended to leave tall stumps when pruning.
After finishing the work, all cut leaves and branches should be collected and taken outside the site. It is better to burn all the tops in order to prevent the spread of diseases and the breeding of pests.
After pruning, it is advisable to water the peony abundantly so that it has enough moisture for a long time. However, this procedure can only be done if the weather at that time is dry and warm.
How to properly cover peonies
The plant has such an important feature as the very close location of the growth buds to the soil surface. Taking this circumstance into account, flower growers carefully prepare the flower for wintering. Peonies are not covered only in the southern regions, where they tolerate winters well.
The growth buds that formed in the autumn are located in the ground only 3-7 cm deep. In places where there are frosty winters, the plant is earthed up in the fall before frost sets in.
Also, to cover the peonies, you should prepare mulch in advance. Suitable for this:
The bush is covered with a layer of mulch about 15-20 cm high. Such insulation will protect the plant from any frost until the onset of warmth.
In winter, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the bushes. If there is insufficient rainfall, you need to collect snow and cover the area with flowers with it. This will be an additional measure to preserve plants in winter frosts.
Conclusion
During the autumn period, no other work needs to be done other than those listed above. These measures for caring for the peony will be enough to ensure that it survives until spring and pleases you with large, beautiful flowers. The main thing is to adhere to all the rules of care, as well as to carry them out efficiently.
Watch the video! Preparing peonies for winter: pruning, loosening, fertilizing
Preparing peonies for winter must be done within a certain time frame and correctly. This determines how well the peony bushes will prepare for the next season and will not suffer from frost in winter or from frost in early spring.
Caring for peonies in the fall and preparing bushes for winter has a number of features. At this time, 1-1.5 months after flowering, renewal buds are formed and the root system develops. Therefore, it is very important to do everything correctly in order to get lush flowering next season. Peony requires fertilizing and watering, especially during the formation and formation of renewal buds, which occurs shortly after the end of flowering. Therefore, in the fall, peony bushes also need care. During the season, in spring and summer, caring for peonies does not contain any special techniques. This includes watering, loosening the soil, mulching, removing weeds, and trimming fading buds.
What should you do in the fall, when your peony bush is actively preparing for winter?
In the fall, it is recommended to carry out the following measures for caring for peonies:
- Loosening the soil, no deeper than 5 cm within a radius of 50 cm, so as not to damage the roots.
- Mulch the soil around the bushes.
- Remove fallen and dry leaves, petals, faded flowers and buds to prevent fungal diseases
- To prune bushes in autumn, it is advisable to do this as late as possible.
- Shoots and leaves in the fall are cut off as close to the ground as possible and burned.
- Fertilize the peony bushes.
- If replanting or dividing is required, autumn is the best time for this.
- Abundant watering in late autumn contributes to a good wintering.
Feeding peonies in autumn
After active growth and flowering, by autumn the root system of peonies is greatly weakened. Namely, it is at this time that the formation of growth points and roots begins. In order for new roots to successfully form and the plant to enter winter prepared, it needs to be fed.
The root system of peonies accumulates minerals and useful substances in the fall for the active growth of the bush in the spring and the formation of large inflorescences.
In the fall, it is best to feed peonies from mid-September to mid-October, 1-1.5 months before pruning and the first frost. It is at this time that the peony bush most actively accumulates strength and nutrients.
Benefits of autumn feeding of peonies
- In early spring, the buds will be much larger and stronger.
- The peony bush will grow faster and flowering will be more luxuriant.
- The bushes are stronger and quickly increase in size
In autumn, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are needed. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are used for spring feeding to enhance the growth of the above-ground part of the plant. When young shoots grow in the fall, they will freeze when there is a frost.
Peonies need to be fertilized especially carefully from mid-September to mid-October, preferably 1–1.5 months before pruning. Plants should be fed from the third year after planting.
Feeding and pruning peonies in the fall - video
When to prune peonies in the fall
The most suitable period is considered to be late autumn, before the first frost. This time usually falls at the end of October or beginning of November. Premature pruning will deprive the plant of essential nutrients, and late pruning can cause death. As a last resort, if you need to prune the shrub earlier, leave three or four leaves on each stem. In this way, the peony will be able to accumulate strength to lay buds next year.
Autumn pruning of peonies is also required so that in winter the plants do not waste energy on the above-ground part instead of developing the root system. Another reason is fungal and bacterial diseases, which often affect leaves in the fall.
In autumn, pruning peonies should be postponed until the weather gets colder. A sure sign that the plant is ready for pruning is that the branches are lowering to the ground, the leaves are dry and withered; they will no longer be needed. This indicates the end of physiological processes and readiness for the winter rest period. In case of infection, preparation for winter should be carried out earlier by treating the cutting areas and the soil around with a fungicide solution.
Rules for pruning peonies in autumn
Peony stems are completely cut off in the fall, before the first frost. If you need to prune the bush earlier, leave at least 2-3 leaves on each stem, which will process useful elements from the root system. In this way, the peony will be able to accumulate strength to lay buds next year.
When cutting flowers from a bush in the summer, it is also necessary to leave at least three leaves on the stem.
Sequence of pruning peonies:
- preparation and disinfection of instruments;
- removing shoots, leaving a small stump (1-2cm) so as not to damage the growing points;
- In tree-like peonies, you cannot remove skeletal branches, but only leaves;
- after pruning, sprinkle fertilizers, loosen them, mixing them with the top layer of soil;
- remove and burn plant residues;
Replanting peonies in autumn and dividing bushes
For more details, see this article on our website.
Mistakes when preparing peonies for winter
The main mistakes when preparing peonies for winter:
- pruning too early, before the first frost, disrupts the formation of renewal buds;
- do not immediately remove withered foliage and cut shoots - the buds and buds are affected by fungal diseases;
- there are not enough nutrients in the soil - there will be few buds;
- if there is an excess of nitrogen, the shoots may be without buds;
- Peonies are not properly covered for the winter.
Peony planting depth
When planting a peony, do not bury the plant's growth buds, otherwise you will not get lush flowering. The correct depth is that the growing points should be 3-5 cm below the soil surface.
- if the peony is planted incorrectly, it needs to be replanted in the fall
- the peony is not planted deeply - the bush suffers from frosts in the spring
- The bush is planted very deeply, many shoots are formed, but few buds.
Disease prevention in autumn
Prevention of fungal diseases of peonies in the fall after leaf fall involves treatment with copper sulfate (3–4%) or Bordeaux mixture (2–3%).
And to increase peony resistance to diseases, it is recommended to use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and microelements, while eliminating excess nitrogen. The drugs must be alternated.
Sheltering peonies for the winter
Sheltering peonies is necessary, since the growth buds are located close to the soil surface, at a depth of only 3-7 cm, and they must be protected from frost.
Depending on climatic conditions, covering peonies for the winter is slightly different. But where it is necessary to protect the bushes, the general principles are as follows:
- After pruning the bushes in the fall, they need to be hilled up.
- A layer of mulch at least 15-18 cm thick should be laid on top.
- For tree peonies, the root system is covered with a layer of peat of 20-25 cm, and the stems with lutrasil.
- Sawdust, spruce branches, high-moor peat, dry leaves, humus or compost are used as covering materials.
- You cannot use cut foliage of the peonies themselves or straw, so as not to cause infection.
- In winter, additionally cover the peonies with a layer of snow to protect them from severe cold.
- When removing material in the spring, you can leave some of it as mulch.
Why did peonies stop blooming?
In almost every garden you can find bright and lush peonies. They, despite their beauty, are quite unpretentious. Bushes grow in one place for 10-15 years without transplanting. Despite their unpretentiousness, they, like any other flowers, require care before the long and cold winter. Having given peonies their attention, they thank their owners with beautiful, fragrant and bright flowers next year.
Caring for peonies in autumn
In spring and summer, peonies do not require special attention. During the season, they only need timely weeding and watering. Since the flowering of peonies is lush and long-lasting, and the bush is voluminous, by autumn the roots of the plants lose a lot of nutrients and weaken. Therefore, in the fall, peonies require care, which consists of pruning, fertilizing, protecting plants from pests and diseases, and of course preparing for winter.
The first pruning of peonies is carried out after the end of their flowering. When pruning, use alcohol-disinfected, sharpened garden scissors, pruning shears or a knife.
When pruning, faded flowers are removed. Leaves and stems should not be touched. Early pruning of the above-ground part of peonies does harm to the plants instead of benefiting them. Flowers, after active growth and abundant flowering, are weakened and need good nutrition, and photosynthesis occurring in the leaves contributes to the nutrition of the root system.
Withered stems of peonies in the spring are difficult to prune and there is a risk of damage to the delicate buds, so they are pruned in the fall, 2 weeks before, or during the first frost.
There are no particular difficulties in pruning in the fall. The bushes are pruned when the leaves take on a reddish tint and fall to the ground.
When pruning peonies belatedly, especially in a rainy, cold autumn, there is a possibility of rotting of the withered leaves and subsequently the roots, so pruning of the bushes must be carried out strictly at the appointed time. Frozen stems also become soft, which prevents accurate cutting of the above-ground part.
It is also not worth pruning peonies earlier; early pruning has a negative impact on the flowering of peonies next year.
Tree varieties peonies are pruned upon the arrival of the first frost. They have the following types of pruning: shaping and rejuvenating. In the first case, pruning is carried out to give the bushes a beautiful shape. In autumn, all woody stems are cut off to 0.7-0.9 meters. At the same time, diseased, dry, damaged shoots and all leaves are also cut out.
The next year, a large number of young shoots and flowers form on the bushes. Trimmed bushes are easier to cover for the winter.
Anti-aging pruning of peonies in the fall is done every 10-15 years. In this case, old shoots are removed to activate the growth of new stems. The need for the procedure is determined when the bushes begin to grow worse throughout the season, and flowering decreases or stops completely. With anti-aging pruning, the life of a perennial can be extended to 60-80 years.
Herbaceous varieties of peonies pruned 2 weeks before the first frost. In this case, the stems and leaves are cut out completely (to ground level) or stumps 2-3 centimeters long are left.
They tolerate frost well and are pruned at the same time as tree varieties. When pruning, all sprouts of Ito hybrids are removed to the root or 2-3 centimeters remain above the ground surface. These plants form buds in the fall that protrude slightly above the ground, so you need to be careful when pruning.
All withered foliage is cut out. There is no need to go deeper into the soil, as you can hit the buds and roots. It is also unnecessary to leave tall stumps when pruning.
Upon completion of pruning of any type of peonies, all leaves and stems, as well as debris accumulated under the plants, are removed from the site and burned.
If autumn is warm and dry at the time of pruning, at the end of the work the flowers are watered with water, but not much, since excess moisture prevents the plants from preparing for the dormant period.
Feeding peonies in the autumn is necessary for their lush flowering next year. When fed, the roots accumulate useful substances and in the spring, when the above-ground part of the plant grows, they give all the accumulated vitamins to the bush and buds.
Plants are fertilized 1 month before the arrival of the first frost. When feeding, potassium-phosphorus or complex fertilizers are used.
Fertilizers containing nitrogen are not used! You can feed peonies in 2 ways: liquid and dry.
Liquid feeding of peonies is used if autumn is dry and the ground under the bushes is dry. Fertilizers in the form of tablets are used for feeding. For one bucket, take 1 tablet of phosphorus and 1 tablet of potassium. The tablets dissolve in water. Peonies are watered with the resulting solution at the rate of 1 liter of liquid per bush. If the bushes are large, then the dosage is doubled.
Peonies are fertilized using the dry method in rainy weather. The liquid method of feeding peonies is not used in case of frequent rainfall. For the dry method, granules are taken (15 grams of potassium and 20 grams of phosphorus per bush). Such fertilizers last longer than their liquid counterparts. At the same time, plants receive dosed beneficial substances.
An incomplete handful of granules is evenly scattered around the bush. For longer dissolution, they are embedded in the ground when loosening the soil.
When applying any fertilizers, they should not get on the root neck of the peonies, as this can harm the plant.
After pruning, each peony bush is fertilized with a mixture of 300 grams of wood ash and 200 grams of bone meal.
How to feed peonies in the fall, pruning peonies: video
Viruses spread very quickly among peonies, affecting a large number of plants. They are transmitted by pests and when flowers are trimmed with dirty, untreated tools.
Withered leaves and stems of peonies are an excellent place for the accumulation and reproduction of pests and diseases, so they must be removed in a timely manner. After pruning, they must be taken outside the site and burned.
A long period of rain, low air temperature, strong shading, dense planting and heavy clay soil, all this leads to diseases of the bushes.
Weakened plants are affected not only by viruses, but also by fungi. Terry varieties of peonies of American selection are especially susceptible to damage.
Only transplanted peony bushes also belong to a special risk group. In a new place, flowers go through a period of adaptation, and their immunity decreases. Prevents infection of flowers by treating them with fungicides or potassium permanganate.
To protect flowers from fungal diseases, the bushes and the soil around them are treated with a solution of Nitrophen, Skor, Topaz.
Preventative treatment of bushes against diseases and pests helps prevent the occurrence of diseases. The procedure is carried out before planting peonies. The plant is dipped in a solution of copper sulfate, Maxim, Fitosporin-M for half an hour.
Already growing plants are sprayed with one of the above preparations, and the soil is spilled with a solution of Bordeaux mixture.
Removing shoots in the fall, deoxidizing the soil with ash, dolomite flour or lime, moderate watering and planting flowers at a distance of 1 meter from each other allows maximum protection of plants from diseases and pest invasions.
Insects rarely have a significant impact on peonies, but they worsen their decorative appearance and spread diseases.
To protect against pests, bushes are treated with Iskra, Fufanol, Karbofos, Actellik.
To prevent harmful insects and diseases from accumulating in the soil, the soil around the bush is dug up before winter.
Pruning, fertilizing, pest and disease control is the first step in preparing this perennial for winter. It is important to properly cover peonies for the winter so that they do not freeze. This procedure is especially relevant in those regions where the winter is long, with little snow and very cold. In different regions, the timing of preparing peonies for winter differs due to the different timing of frost.
In outskirts of Moscow
In the Moscow region, preparing peonies for winter begins in the first days of October and ends in the last days of this month. All work must be completed 2 weeks before the onset of persistent cold weather.
In the Urals
All preparatory work in the Urals is completed by mid-October. The bushes must be well wrapped in order to safely endure the cold winter.
In Siberia, the preparation of peonies for winter continues until the beginning of October. All work must be completed before the onset of stable frosts. When carrying out work, you need to focus on weather conditions. Covering bushes is carried out only in dry weather.
In the Leningrad region
Work to prepare peonies for winter in the Leningrad region ends at the end of October. If the autumn is warm, then they can be extended until the first days of November.
How to prepare peonies for winter
Preparing peonies for winter depends not only on the region where they grow, but also on their type and varietal characteristics of the flower. Each species requires an individual approach, as it differs from others in winter hardiness.
In the European part of Russia, tree peonies do not need to be covered, but where the winter is long and frosty, the bushes require shelter. Young and weak shrubs are also required to be covered, regardless of where they grow.
Preparing peonies for winter begins with removing the leaves when the daytime air temperature reaches 0-5 degrees Celsius.
Tree peonies have fragile branches that cannot be bent to the ground. Before covering, the peony branches are divided into bundles and tied. Then the tree trunk circle is mulched with peat. The thickness of the layer depends on the region; the colder it is, the more mulch is required.
The top of the bush is covered with spruce branches. The frame is fixed with a rope, and non-woven material or burlap is spread on top and pressed down on the ground with bricks or boards.
Young bushes are covered with a 20-centimeter layer of peat, an inverted bucket or box is placed on top, which is covered with any non-woven material.
During snowy winters, snowdrifts fall on the bushes, they additionally protect the plants from freezing.
Herbaceous peonies take cover with the onset of stable cold weather. A layer of peat, crumbly rotted humus, and sawdust is used as a cover. During cold winters with gusty winds, the plants are covered with spruce branches and a layer of lutrasil or spunbond from above. When snow falls, a snowdrift falls on top.
Ito hybrids are cold-resistant, but even they require additional shelter in cold regions with little snow. Young and weak plants are covered in any case, even if the winter is warm. The soil around the plants is covered with a layer of mulch, and on top everything is covered with leaves of forest trees, spruce branches and spunbond.
In order for peonies to always be beautiful and healthy, you need to listen to the advice of knowledgeable gardeners.
- If the peony bushes have grown, they need to be replanted. Thickening of flowers leads to them being affected by diseases and pests, and complicates the covering of bushes (tree-like). This procedure is carried out at the end of August - the first half of September, when the weather is dry and warm. Peonies adapt to a new place, take root and quickly grow with the arrival of spring.
- Peonies can be fertilized only for the 3rd year after planting.
- Before pruning, peonies are covered with non-woven material at night.
- If there is a need for earlier pruning of leaves, then 2-3 leaves are left on each stem.
- The concentration of the fungicide solution when treating young plants against diseases is reduced by 2 times. Adult peonies are sprayed in accordance with the dosage.
- To protect flowers from frost, the height of the peony cover should be 10-20 centimeters.
- Cut peony foliage is not used as a covering material. It attracts pests and diseases.
- During winter, peonies can be additionally covered with a layer of snow. This serves as additional protection against frost.
- Bushes growing along fences, buildings or under trees are the least covered. Snow cover is retained on them naturally.
- In the spring, after the soil has thawed, as soon as buds appear on the peonies, the cover is removed, the mulch is removed and replaced with a new one.
When and how to trim peonies: video
Peonies, if provided with good care and shelter in winter, grow quickly in the spring and bloom luxuriantly. These bright and beautiful flowers envelop the entire garden with their aroma, delighting everyone without exception.