Tree peony: growing and care rules

Such an exquisite plant, like a tree peony, can be grown in your personal plot so that it delights you with its bright colors. This culture belongs to the deciduous plant species. Its closest relative is a herbaceous peony, therefore, caring for them does not particularly differ in any way.

Tree peony: description

Planting and caring for a tree peony: videoThe shoots of the tree peony are large, strong, are upright, and can reach two meters in height. Foliage of an unusual appearance with openwork edges. The buds in their diameter can grow from fourteen to twenty-three centimeters, they also have a lot of petals. This species has a fairly wide range of colors, because its inflorescences can be: white, pale pink, red, bright pink, rich yellow, light purple, dark blue, pale greenish. Some of its flowers are larger than the palm of an adult. Also, the color of the petals can smoothly turn into a completely different color.

The structure of the inflorescences is also different: terry, semi-double and perfectly even. Its most special feature is that its flowers increase in size every year. He begins to bloom fourteen days earlier, his closest relative. What is not unimportant, the tree-like peony is quite resistant to cold weather. It blooms brightly, richly and generously, the number of flowers on one bush can reach fifty units at a time. The flowering time is about eight to ten days, however, thanks to its carved foliage, it can decorate the site without flowering. Due to its huge size, it is better to plant it at some distance from other plants.

Tree peony: photo of flowers

The main difference between a tree peony and a herbaceous peony is its larger stems and openwork foliage, but in fact, a tree peony is a shrub. An ordinary peony, when cold weather approaches, discards its stems and shoots, and its counterpart only increases their number, gradually forming a bush in the shape of a ball, which can reach two meters in height. By the fall, he also throws off his carved foliage, in contrast to the stems, which only get stronger.

Also, on a tree-like specimen, it is not necessary to cut off the formed buds in order to stimulate further flowering and help the culture in the distribution of its energy. This is only suitable for his little relative. A large peony, quite resistant to cold weather, but in very severe frosts, it will still be better to cover it. If you create the right conditions and provide proper care, then the culture may well bloom for three to four weeks. Basically, it begins to bloom ten to fifteen days before its garden relative. The fact of flowering is very strongly influenced by the air temperature. Also, a shrub can grow and feel great in one place without any replanting. There were cases when up to a hundred inflorescences could form on one adult bush.

Tree peony: video about the plantIt is also worth noting that the tree peony bush will begin to bloom only after four to five years after planting in open ground. Initially, only one bud will appear, but over time, the bush will pick up its color, overgrow with stems and leaves, and will also be abundantly covered with bright buds.At the first time after planting, you may think that your bush does not grow at all, there is nothing to worry about, because for the first time of its life, it grows very slowly. The bush will begin to bloom as soon as it grows to at least sixty centimeters in height. If we briefly explain the differences between these related cultures, then these will be factors such as:

• Plant height;
• Diameter of inflorescences;
• Different rules for care;
• The structure of stems and shoots.

Possible reasons why a tree peony may not bloom

Tree peony: photo of flowers

As in the case in all cultures, it may be to blame: illiterate care, an unsuccessful place of growth, inappropriate soil. Either the bush is already too old, or, on the contrary, is too young. The place where the culture will grow should be lighted and not cramped, but its soil is rich in nutrients, well-drained and alkaline. It should also be remembered that this species does not respond well to transplantation to another place. If suddenly you still need to transplant a plant, then you will have to do it very carefully. It will be necessary to get the bush out of the ground, along with a lump of earth, and carefully monitor so that the root system is not damaged. It should be borne in mind that the plant will get used to a new habitat for a long time, about two to three years of life.

The correct watering regime for the tree peony is extremely important. Watering is not necessary as often as abundantly. It is impossible to allow stagnation of liquid in the soil, this can lead to rotting of the root system. So if your site has clay soil, then before planting, take care of the drainage layer that needs to be laid on the bottom of the hole. The peony feels great in open, well-lit areas, however, in semi-shady places, its flowers will delight you for more time.

Generalized reasons why the tree peony does not bloom:
1) Small or excessive plant penetration into the ground;
2) Top dressing with nitrogen fertilizers;
3) Too much or too little fertilizer and dressing;
4) The bush is damaged by frost or summer heat. The plant may be sick;
5) Lack of lighting;
6) Small or too large age of the plant;
7) Too close proximity, because this culture loves spacious conditions;
8) Transplant, or division of the rhizome;
9) Late pruning;
10) Too moist or too dry soil.

Planting a tree peony in open ground

Preparation of tree peony seeds: videoIt is very important to pay attention to the planting material, because the root system can be either open or closed. If the purchased seedling has a special packaging, that is, there is polyethylene on the upper part, and the root system itself is bare, or is in the ground, then this is a plant with an open root system. And if the bush is already in a container with soil and has already collected buds, then this is a plant with a closed root system.

Also, you need to pay attention to the roots of the seedling, namely, they are grafted or not. The grafted roots will differ in a darker shade and width, in volume they can reach up to four to five centimeters, and look like a branch. In such a specimen, flowering may begin as early as next year. But they need to be bought only from trusted sellers. If these are the plant's own roots, then its root system will be of a lighter shade, less wide and elongated. But such a plant will bloom later, about four years after planting.

It is not difficult to obtain layering for future grafting, you need to choose a strong, young and strong stem if it has kidneys, then it needs to be bent to the soil, pinched and covered with soil. After a certain amount of time, from its dormant buds, roots are nailed, after which the shoot must be cut off and divided into a certain number of plants with roots.If you buy a bush that has been grown from a cut, then make sure that its roots are in a closed system, and that the culture itself has at least five active buds. Also, it should not be less than twenty-five centimeters in height.

Tree peony: photo of flowers

In order for the tree peony bush to grow well, develop and bloom in time, you need to choose the right time period and site for planting it. The best time for this purpose is between the end of the summer period and the beginning of the fall period. Find a location that is slightly high and well lit. You do not need to plant a peony close to trees with a lush crown, or with high extensions, they will create too shady conditions that the flowering bush will not like. Only a slightly shaded area will be the best solution. Strong wind and cold draft are contraindicated. Planting in the spring is also not recommended, because at this time it will be difficult for the plant to adapt, because this is the peak for development and flowering.

Loamy soil - will be an excellent option for plant growth. However, if in your
garden sandy area, then just add: turf soil, clay, peat soil and organic humus. Organic fertilizers and clean coarse sand can help you improve the composition of the soil so that the flower can grow and develop normally. The plant also does not like high acidity of the soil, so if your soil is acidic, then dilute it with lime. It is necessary to plant a culture where there is no extensive flowering of underwater waters. But there is no other suitable place, then the hole will have to be dug very deep, about seventy to eighty centimeters, the diameter should be the same as the depth. At the very bottom, you need to lay a drainage layer of crushed stone or fine gravel, the thickness should be about thirty to thirty-five centimeters. If you do not have access to gravel, then as a last resort, you can use coarse sand.

Planting a tree peony is not difficult. To do this, you need to make a small hill of the ground in a dug hole, put a plant on it, carefully spread its root system and spill abundantly with watering liquid. As soon as the soil has absorbed all the liquid, the seedling must be covered with earth so that the neck of the root is on the surface of the earth. If you plant several plants at a time, then keep in mind that for comfortable growth and development, they need a distance of two meters from each other.

The most important problem in growing a tree peony is the selection and creation of comfortable conditions for the plant. A place with bright sunlight will not work, too shaded a place too. Peony loves water, but is afraid of waterlogged soil, because it can threaten with rotting of the root system. However, a lot of free space always benefits him, because thanks to this he can successfully grow and develop.

The soil is also one of the main parameters, because it must be nutritious, loose and well-drained. Some more nuances:

• Fertilizers for peony can be applied a month before the scheduled
  landing;
• When planting a new tree peony seedling, its lowest bud must be deepened into the ground,
  about fifteen centimeters. You can also prepare the hole in advance, and
  namely: lay a layer of organic humus, a small part of nutrient soil, universal fertilizer for decorative flowering plants, copper sulfate, you can also add a little slaked lime to reduce acidity;
• If for some reason you purchased a peony towards the end of autumn, then you need to plant it in a separate pot, put it in a cool room with sufficient lighting. During this time spent in such
  conditions, the culture adapts and strengthens its root system.

Tree peony: outdoor care

Tree peony: photo of flowers

The basic rules for caring for a tree peony are roughly similar to caring for its smaller brother. Periodically, you will have to loosen the soil around the bush, destroy weeds and feed. If the culture blooms too abundantly, then it needs to be supported.

Watering rules

Watering a tree peony is required at least once every two weeks; one bush will need about six to eight liters of liquid. In the summer, you can water more often, be guided by the appearance of the soil and the plant itself. Towards the end of the summer period, the volume of irrigation should be reduced, reaching the point of complete elimination. It is necessary to loosen the ground after the top layer has already dried. But no deeper than five centimeters. You can mulch with organic humus, but the layer should not be too dense.

Growing a tree peony: fertilizing and feeding

Tree peony: photo of flowers

The tree peony loves nitrogen fertilizers and those in which potassium is present. You need to fertilize stably. Nitrogen fertilizers are best applied at the beginning of the growing season, and potash fertilizers from the moment of bud formation. Also, before each fertilization, you need to moisten the soil of the plant so that its root system has protection. In the first years of life, you need to fertilize by foliar method, that is, by spraying, immediately after watering. Well, already adult specimens need replenishment three times a year: then when shoots appear, when the buds swell, and like a bush will fade.

Tree peony outdoors: help in protecting the bush for the winter

Although this culture is quite cold-resistant, it is still better to shelter it in the early years of life. You need to do this with the help of agrofibre, you can also lay a layer of snow on top

Rules for pruning a tree peony

Tree peony: photo of flowers

In fact, pruning a tree peony most likely carries a care need. You need to prune a peony at the very, very beginning of spring, that is, even before the start of the growing season. All broken, withered and dried stems must be removed. Cut the shoots themselves by ten to fifteen centimeters. Also, each stalk should be trimmed to the second bud - this will stimulate good future flowering.

Diseases of the tree peony

The tree peony is resistant to various diseases, but due to improper care, the bush can be weakened and easily get sick.

The main diseases that pose a danger:

• Gray rot or botrytis. This is a fungal infection, most often it is activated by waterlogging of the soil and insufficient sunlight. A gray bloom appears on the foliage, the shoots wither and lose their elasticity. If you notice these damages, then they urgently need to be removed, as well as spray the bush and the ground around it with special means.
• Brown spotting. You need to do everything the same as with gray rot.
• Rust. Initially, the foliage will appear with brown-purple specks, and then it will curl and dry out. In treatment, only the complete destruction of the affected areas and regular preventive measures will help.
• Ring mosaic. This is a viral infection that affects the foliage of the bush. Various yellowish patterns begin to appear on it. Over time, the affected leaf cracks. You can treat it with fungicidal drugs.

Growing a tree peony: video