Tree peony: care and cultivation, planting in the open field, why it does not bloom, propagation by seeds

Tree peony bushes are able to decorate any suburban and personal plot. Large spherical flowers of bright colors bloom on stable stems. Tree peonies number more than several thousand hybrid varieties that are successfully cultivated in Asia, Europe and Southeast America. Gardeners collect rare varieties and produce unusual varieties through self-crossing.

Description and features

Tree Peony is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 2 meters

stems: erect, partly woody;
leaves: attached on long petioles to the stem, feathery in shape, the shade depends on the variety and can vary from green to dark green;
flowers: arranged singly on bushes, growing up to 30 centimeters in diameter, each flower has 5 to 12 petals, the shade of the petals depends on the variety.

History of Breeding

The tree-like peony began its existence in the provinces of China. The wild flower mainly grew on the foothills, inhabited the mountain slopes located above the sea waters.

Spruce peony from the beginning of the 5th century has become for the Chinese a symbol of harmony, beauty, vitality. Wild peonies are protected by the state and are listed as rare and useful plants.

How is it different from grassy

Tree peony is often confused with grassy. In fact, similar outwardly similar cultures have significant differences.

Lumbering shoots The height of the bush reaches 2 meters Grows up to 1 meterThe diameter of flowers can reach 30 centimeters Flowers grow up to 20 centimeters Pinching required Shades of flowers can be listed: vary from pink, white to red, lilac Lifetime is about 3-4 years

Soft green stems

	Does not require pinching the first buds to stimulate flowering
	Shades of petals can be two-component
	Can grow in one place for several decades

Views

Classification of peonies includes the presence of the main species. They are divided by origin and species.

Chinese-European

The varieties of these species are characterized by the presence of large terry-type buds. Flowers are heavy and often drop down under their own weight.

Japanese

This is a species that combines varieties with large but light flowers. Petals can be translucent, and resemble gauze. The shades of the varieties of the Japanese species are striking in their diversity.

Hybrid

Varieties of this species are represented by diverse bushes with light and heavy flowers. They can be terry and semi-double, bloom at different times of the season and show different adaptive properties.

Popular varieties

The tree peony is successfully cultivated all over the world. Some varieties are especially famous and grow successfully in Asia, Europe and America.

Qiao Sisters

This is the most famous variety of tree peonies. It was bred by Chinese breeders, but no information about the authors has been preserved. The bush has dark green, dense leaves, grows up to 1.5 meters. The diameter of the flowers is 17-19 centimeters. The peculiarity of the variety lies in the color of the petals: the center of the flower is bright red, the color becomes soft pink towards the tips.

Sapphire

The bush grows up to 1.5 meters, the lateral shoots are spread out to the sides, the petals are painted in pale pink or lavender. The middle of the bud remains yellow. The bush blooms throughout June.

Coral Altar

The leaves on the stems are dense, the flower has sharp tips and resembles a carnation in structure. The color of the petals varies from coral to light cream. The diameter of the flower is 18 centimeters.

Green Jade

A unique flower that differs in the shade of the petals. Pale green buds can reach 15-17 centimeters in diameter.

Red Giant

The second name of the variety is the Silk Road. Bushes reach 1.5 meters. The flowers are red or dark pink crown type. The top petals stretch up, the bottom ones go down.

Yellow

Small bushes of tree-like yellow peonies stretch up to 1 meter. The flowers are small, with thin petals, grow up to 15 centimeters, light.

Kinko

The variety belongs to the imperial group. Petals in their color and shape resemble a tea rose. The diameter of one bud is about 17 centimeters.

White Phoenix

Many flower growers believe that the peony of this variety looks like a white lotus. The snow-white buds turn slightly pink in the center, but over time the shade disappears. Many peonies do not bloom on one bush - about 10 pieces.

Purple

The dark purple hue of the buds makes the flower unusual. Many peony collectors purchase this variety for their collection. Bushes reach 1.5 meters, flower diameter - 20-25 centimeters.

Black Panther

The bush grows up to 2 meters, the diameter of the buds is up to 30 centimeters. The color of the petals becomes maroon by the end of flowering. The yellow center makes it unusual.

Gold placer

The variety belongs to the type with densely double flowers. Openwork petals of yellow-orange color are bordered by a thin pink stripe.

White Jade

Classic type of Japanese species. A bush with light snow-white flowers grows up to 1.5 meters.

Shima Nishiki

Semi-double peony with flowers 15 to 20 centimeters in diameter. The shade of the petals can be red, pink, white or two-tone.

Green beans

Up to 70 buds per season appear on one bush. The flowering period lasts only 1.5 weeks. Flower petals take on a light green hue.

Ghost Dew

The bush grows up to 2 meters, the flowers are large and heavy. After the rain, under the weight of the drops, they droop. The color of the petals is lilac-pink, uniform.

Scarlet Sails

The petals of crown-type buds are bright red. The bush reaches 2 meters, if you do not pinch it, it grows in width.

Twins

Peonies semi-double rose-shaped. The diameter of the flower reaches 15 centimeters. Flowering lasts about a month.

Tender spring

Petals of a pale pink shade are characterized by increased corrugation. The bud is densely packed with petals, heavy and large. The bush reaches 2 meters, flowering lasts more than 2 weeks.

Landing in open ground

The growth and flowering of a tree peony depends on the correct and timely planting. This culture is able to grow on the site for many years, so you need to choose the right place and take into account the characteristics of the flower.

Timing

Gardeners consider the autumn months to be the best option for planting. In autumn, the peony root system is able to acquire the necessary suction hairs, which play an important role in the general condition of the root system.

If the seedling was bought in the summer, then, subject to certain nuances, the peony can be planted on an open ground site immediately after purchase.

Choosing a seat

When choosing a place for a peony, follow several rules:

lack of through winds;
small shading of the area with a stable supply of sunlight necessary for the peony;
properly selected neighbors that will allow bushes to grow freely.

Soil preparation

For peonies choose light, loose soil with the necessary layer of drainage. The level of soil acidity for peonies is constantly kept under control, it should be in the range from 6 to 6.5 ph.

How to prepare seeds

When planting by seed, planting material is prepared in advance. Seeds must go through several successive stages:

germination in wet sand;
stratification or exposure to different temperatures for 4-5 days;
soaking before planting.

In order to avoid infection, seeds are recommended to be additionally disinfected with a solution of manganese.

Plant pattern

Minimum distance between bushes should be about 1 meter. There are varieties that are known for the abundant growth of bushes, for them the distance is increased to 120 centimeters.

Care and cultivation

After planting, the plant activates adaptive forces. When leaving, consider the needs of the culture.

Irrigation

Feature of watering technique depends on flowering. Before the formation of buds, the bush is watered abundantly, with the beginning of flowering, the number of waterings is significantly reduced.

Weeding and loosening

After abundant watering, the earth is loosened. This prevents weeds and promotes additional air saturation.

Mulching

To prevent the spread of weeds, the soil is mulched. To do this, choose fresh grass, needles or sawdust.

Feeding

At the flowering stage, the plant needs additional feeding. To do this, choose liquid mixtures with a high content of potassium and phosphorus. As it grows, increasing its green mass, it needs nitrogen-containing complexes.

Cutting Features

When flowering, the buds are removed. In this way, further flowering is stimulated. Before wintering, bushes are pruned, removing weak and damaged shoots.

Transfer

Tree peonies are planted in a place where they will grow constantly. After forced transplants, the plant can get sick for about 2 years, so it is not recommended to transfer it.

Reproduction

For breeding peonies, choose one of the methods. The timing depends on the state of the bush.

Dividing the bush

Pion is easily propagated by division. The root system of an overgrown bush is dug out of the soil, a part is disconnected with a sharp knife, then the mother plant is returned to the hole. The separated plant is transplanted as an independent seedling.

Cutting

Peonies are propagated by cuttings in autumn. During the winter, cuttings take root at home. In spring or summer, they are planted in open ground.

Layers

This method is suitable for propagating a certain variety. On the bush, the lower shoot is selected, cut into it and bent to the ground, then sprinkled with soil. In this way, it will take root throughout the spring and summer, and in the fall it can be transplanted as a separate plant.

Inoculation

This method is suitable for creating a hybrid variety. Part of the root is used, it is broken, a scion is inserted into the crack and fastened with a garden pitch. The structure is rooted, when shoots appear, the dead parts are removed and the seedling is grown.

Pests and diseases

Tree peonies have average resistance to diseases and pests. Fungal diseases are the main danger.

Grey Rot

It affects the bush when the soil is excessively moist. The leaves turn yellow, covered with weeping spots. Fungicides are used for treatment, and the soil is additionally mulched.

Brown spotting

A fungal infection that causes leaf blades to turn brown and buds to fall off before flowering. Affected bushes are treated with antiseptics, fungicides.

Rust

The disease may appear after the rainy season, due to dampness. Treatment with a tobacco solution helps restore a he althy look to the bush.

Annular foliage mosaic

The virus is spread by insects, so at the prevention stage, you should fight them. Affected plants cannot be treated and must be destroyed. The disease develops slowly. Mosaic rings appear on the leaves, the flowers become smaller, the leaves turn yellow.

Preparing for wintering after flowering

In winter, peonies need additional shelter during their first years of existence. They are covered with industrial material, tightened with twine.

Why doesn't bloom

Peonies are not considered a capricious culture, but if the rules of care are violated, the flower will definitely respond with a lack of flowering. It is important to take into account the basic needs of culture, then it will decorate the site for many years.

Improper care

Yellowing leaves indicates a change in soil acidity. To stabilize the condition of the soil, dolomite flour is added.

Warning! The formation of a hard crust on the soil indicates that the peonies are not loosened enough.

Wrong choice of landing site

The lack of flowering may be a reaction to the lack of space. Peonies do not like drafts, so they will be uncomfortable in an open area on the north side.

Direct sunlight can cause color fading in flowers and sunburn on leaf plates.

Too young or too old plant

Peonies after planting may reduce growth. They may grow slowly over several seasons. This applies to the aerial part. Unlike herbaceous peonies, tree peonies grow their root system first.

Older plants also slow down in growth, this is due to the fact that they need a longer rest period than before.

Does not like transplants

Peonies do not tolerate a change in their permanent place of growth, so flower growers are advised to immediately choose a suitable site. If you have to move the bush to another place, then it is necessary to additionally feed it with superphosphates and potash fertilizers during the summer period.

Irrigation mode

One of the reasons may be a violation of watering. In the spring, the bush needs abundant watering. In summer, it is watered only when the topsoil is dry.

How to choose the right seedling

Pion seedlings are purchased in special nurseries, where the plant is brought to a certain age when it can be planted in open ground. Main selection criteria:

stems should be firm, even and woody;
the root system is developed, a full-fledged bud develops at the base of each stem;
there is no plaque on the roots, the cuts are tightened, no wet marks.

The right seedling will be the key to the successful growth of a lush, abundantly flowering shrub.