Many gardeners do not consider peonies to be elite plants. But grown with pleasure because of the lush flowers with an attractive color.
Flower growers know that peonies should be given the most attention in the fall in order to get luxurious flowering next year. An event that should not be neglected is pruning peonies in the fall.
It enables the flower:
- relax after intensive flowering;
- recover before the onset of winter cold;
- accumulate enough moisture for future shoots.
The value of autumn pruning is great, so you need to do it correctly. The main parameters that flower growers are focused on are when and how to prune peonies in the fall.
Inexperienced gardeners doubt the need for pruning a flower in the fall. They cut off the heads with faded flowers immediately after the flowering of the bush.
In this case, the next year they get a lush green bush with luxurious foliage, but no flowers. This is due to the fact that the plant does not have enough time to form buds for the next flowering. The second reason is the lack of nutrients for tuber growth.
Timing of autumn pruning peonies
First of all, gardeners need to wait until the flowers fade on the peonies. They may simply wither or fall off. Now the bush directs all its forces to the formation of flower buds for the next year and the growth of the bulb. It is not necessary to transfer pruning to the spring, it is optimal to cut the bushes in the fall. But when to carry it out in the fall to help the plant as much as possible?
The beginning of autumn is not the best period. At this time, pruning will weaken the bush, which will negatively affect the flowering of the peony next year. The processes of photosynthesis will be disrupted, and the roots will not receive the necessary nutrients. Yes, and a weakened plant can respond to winter colds with a decrease in flower mass. Although peonies are considered cold-hardy and grow quietly in one place for more than 10 years.
The most suitable period is considered to be late autumn with the first frosts. Usually this time falls at the end of October or the beginning of November. The pruning period varies depending on the climatic features of the region in which the flower is grown. Now the flower is ready for a dormant period, in other words, the development process for the season is over.
Some growers intuitively know when to prune early. The exception is:
- early drying of pions;
- the presence of diseases.
In other cases, do not hesitate, but carry out the autumn pruning of the flower at the recommended time.
Autumn pruning technology
To confidently start pruning, consider all the nuances of autumn peonies care.
When the time for the procedure has already been determined, it is necessary to pay attention to the rules that should be strictly followed.
You need to remove the aerial part of the plant, carefully cutting off the leaves and stems with a sharp tool.
It is even slightly buried in the ground to remove the necessary parts. The exception is the stems above the growth buds, they can be left. The length of such stems should not exceed 4-5 cm. Although you can determine for them another length that is convenient for you.
After the pruning procedure, you need to collect plant debris, take it out of the garden and burn it.
Excellent materials for sheltering flowers in the autumn are peat and humus. They will not only save peonies from freezing, but also additionally warm the plants.
Experienced flower growers sprinkle the soil and places of cuts with wood ash. It simultaneously disinfects and nourishes future luxurious flowers at the moment when the autumn pruning is already completed.
Care for bushes after pruning
Be sure to check the degree of soil moisture in the places of the cut. If it is dry, you need to water and feed the bushes. For the autumn nutrition of peonies, bone meal, wood ash, and ready-made mineral compositions are used.
Despite the fact that the pruning procedure itself is not considered difficult, some gardeners still manage to make mistakes:
- Begin pruning peonies immediately after flowering. It takes place at the end of summer. The plant manages to release new shoots, spending a lot of energy on their growth. At the first frost, they die, and the bush is now not enough food for the development of the bulb. Therefore, flowering next summer will either be very scarce, or you will generally not wait for beautiful inflorescences.
- Still flowering inflorescences are cut off. This is what happens when peony bushes are part of design projects on the territory of a summer cottage. In a bouquet, peonies look very luxurious, but the number of inflorescences for the next year will decrease significantly.
- Late with the autumn pruning of peonies. The plant does not have time to update the root system, which can simply rot.
As soon as the autumn pruning of plants is completed, watering and fertilizing are carried out, it is necessary to cover the peonies for wintering. This is also an important procedure for preserving flowers for the next season.
It is of particular importance for those varieties that are grown in a region with frosty, snowless winters. How to cover peonies for the winter?
First, evaluate the depth of the growth points. If the value does not exceed 4-6 cm, then it is necessary to sprinkle the stems with soil. A layer of covering material is placed on top:
- fallen leaves;
- lapnik;
- compost;
- peat.
The thickness of the shelter should not be less than 10-15 cm. In this case, after pruning, your peonies will receive reliable protection from frost and piercing wind.
Even beginner gardeners can carry out autumn pruning. And experienced gardeners themselves evaluate the condition of the plants and choose the timing for pruning, taking into account all conditions.
