Tree peony
Content:
Many summer residents are familiar with the tree-like peony, which is almost mesmerizing with its appearance and can be admired endlessly.
For a long time, the basic principles of growing and caring for a tree peony have been determined, so even a novice summer resident can cope with it, if all recommendations and agricultural techniques are followed.
Let's take a closer look at this plant.
Characteristic.
Tree peony - an exceptional ornamental shrub by the type of use and application, the height of which ranges from one to one and a half meters. Extremely attractive and eye-catching plants can brighten up any faded area, especially during the flowering period.
The color scheme of the peony is absolutely diverse and everyone can choose what they like: yellow, purple, lilac, white, pink, lilac and other shades.
The flowers are quite large in size, their diameter can be from 12 to 20 centimeters, which is why they immediately stand out for their showiness among other plants and their own leaves.
On one bush, the simultaneous flowering of an average of 50 to 100 flowers at once is noted, which together give an incredible aroma, quite peculiar, and you will not confuse it with anything else. By their structure, flowers can be double, non-double and semi-double.
The flowering of the tree peony occurs in the last days of May and continues to the flesh until June.
Site preparation.
The most favorable terms for planting shrubs are mid-August and until the end of September, but not later. Choose a location that is not too close to dense and tall trees to provide adequate natural light.
The peony is a light-loving plant and without solar energy during the day its slow growth and development can be noted, as well as the worst quality of flowering.
Lowlands and hollows are not allowed for planting, where there is an accumulation of cold air, where there is a risk of harmful effects of wind currents from the north.
Damp and wetlands are also considered unsuitable - in such conditions, the plant immediately dies.
The soil of a loose structure, a high level of fertility, enriched with the necessary amount of organic fertilizer - humus, is best suited for peonies.
Also, make sure that groundwater does not lie close to the upper layers of the soil, as moisture stagnation is contraindicated.
Otherwise, you should equip a drainage system to remove excess in order to provide the plant with a normal level of life in the future.
If the soil is of a clay or loamy type, it is recommended to add coarse-grained river sand and humus, as well as well-rotted manure.
Suitable for making complex fertilizers of a mineral nature, as well as micro and macrofertilizers, nitrophoska.
In soils where there is an increased level of acidity, lime, wood ash and dolomite flour should be added in advance before planting.
Tree peony: growing conditions.
It is very important to observe the correct planting of the tree peony, since the quality of its future decorativeness, as well as the overall life expectancy, depends on this.
It is recommended to prepare planting holes in advance, on average 3, and preferably 4 weeks before starting planting. The depth of one hole should not be less than 60 centimeters, and it is better to equip the size according to indicators of 80 by 80 centimeters.
Inside the pit, at the very bottom, drainage should be poured to remove excess moisture in an even layer up to 12 centimeters. As materials for this, sand, gravel, nut shells, crushed brick, and so on can be used.
The top fertile layer must be mixed with the compost; it is also allowed to use ready-made soil-nutrient soil. Subsequently, well-rotted manure is added, complex granular fertilizer is applied.
After all the preparation, it is necessary to dig it with a bayonet shovel and moisten it with a growth stimulator solution.
At the beginning of the autumn season, the root collar of the bush is best positioned at the same level with the soil, a slight deepening is allowed. For those plants that have been transplanted, do not forget to remove 60 to 80% of the leaves in order to promote better resistance to the coming winter frosts.
Also, thanks to this procedure, the plant adapts better to a new place and conditions, effectively takes root in the long term.
After the transplant has been made, in the first year it is better to prevent the flowering of the bush - this is due to the fact that it is better to give the opportunity to lay large flower buds already next year.
Remember that the root system of the tree peony is close to the topsoil and is therefore more vulnerable. Unfortunately, in view of this, the drying out of the bush after transplantation is often noted, and the plant itself is more often infected with diseases.
But you should not despair, because by the end of summer completely new, young shoots may appear from the adventitious buds in the area of the stem base, which will become the key to rejuvenating the bush and its normal life in the future.