The peony is a real ornament for the garden and balcony, as the large flowers in particular have a decorative effect. By taking the appropriate measures, the plant can develop new buds for a long time.
Location
The basis for the peony to thrive is the right location. This should meet the following criteria:
- sunny and warm without the blazing midday sun
- sheltered from the wind
- away from larger plants with roots that grow over a wide area
For example, the south side of the garden near a wall or a south-facing balcony are ideal.
Tip:
Growing peonies in containers can make it easier to find the right location. This means that the plant can be placed in a more protected place in different weather conditions, for example.
Substrate
So that the Paeonia is resilient and is adequately supplied, the soil must be tailored to the plant's needs. The peonies need substrate that has the following properties:
- permeable
- high clay content
- nutrient-rich
Loamy soil loosened with sand, gravel or coconut fibers is therefore well suited. Nutrient enrichment can be achieved through complete fertilizer for flowering plants or with well-rotted compost.
Plants
The peony can be planted in both spring and autumn. The procedure is largely the same in both cases. Only the following steps and factors should be taken into account:
Temperature
Planting should take place on a frost-free day. Since frost can be expected in both spring and autumn, it is best to plant the plants as late as possible in spring and as early as possible in autumn.
Preparation
In preparation for planting, a hole should be dug that is twice as wide and deep as the root ball. In addition, the substrate should be appropriately prepared and enriched with nutrients. If necessary, it makes sense to place a drainage system. This prevents waterlogging.
Press
Even if the soil should be permeable, the top layer must be firmly pressed down. Because soil that is too loose can make the roots susceptible to damage.
Pouring
Immediately after planting, the peony should be watered well. This continues to apply throughout the first year of operation. When cultivated outdoors, the plant has then developed enough root mass to be able to support itself outside of long dry periods.
Protection
Due to the risk of frost in both spring and autumn, the peony should be protected accordingly. A layer of straw, bark mulch, brushwood or putting on a plastic cover can prevent frost damage.
Pouring
In the first year it is crucial to provide the plants with sufficient water. The following are well suited for this:
- filtered or soft tap water
- collected rainwater
- Pond water
Aquarium water can also be used. It is important that the water is low in lime. After the first year of growth, the roots have grown so deep that regular watering is no longer necessary. It can be limited to watering as needed during dry periods.
Fertilize
Peonies need nutrient-rich soil. The Paeonia should therefore be fertilized regularly. It is recommended to add nutrients in early spring when budding begins. Suitable for this are:
- Compost soil
- composted manure
- Horn meal or horn shavings
- organic perennial fertilizer
Tip:
In addition to giving in the spring, coffee grounds can be lightly worked into the top layer of soil once a month. Watering with pond water or aquarium water also contributes to the nutrient supply.
Blend
The cutting of peonies is very easy. It is sufficient to cut off the withered flowers after they have faded and to shorten all shoots a hand's breadth above the ground at the end of October or beginning of November. On the one hand, this prevents the Paeonia from having entry points for pathogens and parasites. On the other hand, strong budding in spring is encouraged.
Culture in a bucket
When it comes to pot cultivation, there are slight differences in how to care for Paeonia. Since less substrate is available, various measures are required. These include, among others:
- Fertilization every three to four weeks
- frost-free wintering
- regular watering
- Repotting every two years at the latest
In addition, care must be taken to ensure that no waterlogging occurs. Adding a drainage layer to the bottom of the planter can prevent this. Coarse gravel, stones or ceramic shards are suitable for this.
Propagation
There are two options for propagating the peony. This involves, on the one hand, the division of the plant and, on the other hand, the sowing.
The advantage of repotting or transplanting the peony is that the results become apparent much more quickly. The plants bloom faster and recover from the measure in a shorter time. To do this, however, the large mother plant has to be divided, which at least temporarily results in a visual loss.
Note:
Sowing seeds takes more time and requires more effort. However, the plant is protected.
Wintering
If the peonies are cultivated outdoors in good time, light protection is sufficient. This can consist of a support on the ground or a cover.
If the peony is grown in a pot, however, it should be kept frost-free over the winter. If accommodation in the house is not possible, insulation may make sense. A base made of Styrofoam or a pallet is recommended, as is covering it with fleece.
Plant Neighbors
Ideal plant neighbors for Paeonia are perennials that have the same requirements. That means you need sunny locations and a permeable but nutrient-rich and slightly loamy soil.
This applies, among other things, to:
- woman's coat
- larkspur
- Storksbill
- Turkish Poppy
Diseases
Diseases on peonies can often be traced back to care errors. If the plants are weakened or the cultivation conditions are not optimal, germs can penetrate more easily.
Leaf spot disease
Leaf spot disease causes light to dark brown spots to appear on the leaves. As a result, they dry out or wither. Early removal is recommended in any case. Additionally, a fungicide can be used.
Gray horse
Gray mold is by far the most common disease in peonies. The risk of this increases if:
- the soil is used up
- there is not enough distance between the plants
- Waterlogging exists
- warm and humid weather prevails, such as in spring
Buds and entire shoots may turn brown and die. In these cases, it is important to cut off withered plant parts as much as possible and also use a fungicide. It also makes sense to adapt the care, for example by increasing the distance, thinning out shoots and laying drainage.
Wilt disease
With wilt disease, buds and shoots turn brown and wither. However, these signs are just the visible symptoms. However, the fundamental problem is found underground as the roots die. Again, a lack of nutrients and excessive moisture are responsible.
To save the plant, the following steps are required:
- Dig up the plant and remove the substrate.
- Remove dead roots with a sharp, clean knife or disinfected scissors.
- So that the interfaces can dry, they should be stored outside the ground for a few hours. A fungicide can also be used.
- In order to prevent renewed infestation, the substrate must be replaced and made more permeable.
Tip:
Diseased plant parts and soil containing spores should be disposed of with household waste and not added to the compost. However, soil can also be disinfected using heat, for example in the oven.
Pests
Lice, caterpillars and snails are not a problem for peonies. Occasionally numerous ants can be found on plants, but they hardly cause any damage.
