Planting peonies in spring in open ground: terms, rules, tips, step by step instructions

Planting peonies in the spring causes different opinions. To some novice gardeners, it seems not entirely acceptable for culture. They believe that during the period of active growth of the aerial part, the roots can be quickly depleted. As a result, the immunity of the plant will be weakened, which will lead to poor development of the peony and a long absence of flowering. Experienced flower growers say the opposite. Timely and correctly carried out spring planting of a peony is very advantageous.

Only a properly planted plant will delight you with lush flowering in due time.

Is it possible to plant peonies in spring

A similar question worries all lovers of peonies. Given the climatic conditions on the territory of the Federation, experienced gardeners tend to autumn planting or transplanting bushes. However, in spring, the adventitious roots of peonies grow back as intensively as in autumn. Therefore, spring planting is also appropriate. Especially if the plant has already been purchased, or it needs to be transplanted urgently. It is important to comply with the basic requirements of the culture, agrotechnical recommendations and take into account weather conditions. If hot weather immediately begins in the spring, then the bushes will need intensive care.

When is the best time to plant peonies: in spring or autumn

Knowledge of the biological characteristics of culture will help to solve this issue. During the growing season, the peony has two periods in which the growth of suction roots occurs. These periods are considered equivalent for landing events. In the spring, landing should be carried out before the onset of sustainable warming (April-May). This will allow the delenka to take root before the first shoots begin to grow. In autumn, it is recommended to plant peonies in August or September so that rooting occurs before the onset of frost. The root system, already strong at this time, is easier to tolerate any intervention.

After spring planting, peonies take root a little more difficult, flowering begins later, and it is not as luxurious. But this period also has its advantages:

• suction roots grow also intensively;
• compliance with all planting rules guarantees a good survival of the bush;
• it is not necessary to wait for the onset of autumn to plant the already purchased planting material.

Given all the pros and cons, gardeners can plant peonies at a time that suits them.

The difficulties of planting a peony in the spring in open ground

When planting a peony in the open ground in the spring, gardeners may encounter some difficulties:

1. Weather. In cool weather, the ground thaws for a long time. If the time has come to plant delenki, and the ground is frozen, then this creates additional difficulties.
2. Any careless movement of the grower leads to damage to the stems or buds. The plant may die if the damage is significant.
3. Lagging roots in growth compared to the aerial part. This leads to the depletion of the roots and the oppression of the young plant.

To avoid such difficulties, you need to accurately fulfill all the conditions and plant peonies in the spring correctly.

When will peonies planted in spring bloom

Do not wait for flowering in the first year after planting. This also applies to peonies planted in autumn.

Usually flowering begins 2 years after planting, some varieties bloom after 3 years. This must be immediately clarified when buying varietal divisions. In the second season, you need to leave 1 bud, then cut it short after opening and check the compliance with the varietal parameters. If there are differences, then the procedure with one bud will have to be repeated until the moment when the correspondence is complete. This can happen in 4-5 years.

When planting a seedling at the age of 3-4 years, flowering will occur the next season.

The quality of flowering depends on the varietal characteristics and proper care after planting.

Rules for choosing planting material

The speed of development of the bush, its health, the duration and brightness of flowering directly depend on the quality of the delenok. If planting material is purchased in a store, then first of all you need to carefully read the information on the package.

Careful reading of the description will help you choose the right variety for the site.

A decent and self-respecting manufacturer will definitely report:

• full name of the variety;
• a list of the main characteristics and description of the culture;
• the amount of planting material in the package;
• a mark that the delenka has passed quality control;
• instructions for the main stages of landing.

In addition to getting to know the planting material in the form of a description, a visual inspection should be carried out. Peonies are sold in polyethylene packages, so it is easy to see the delenka. It must have at least 2 adventitious roots with a length of 5 cm or more and 2-3 renewal buds. The absence of damage, traces of rot or other diseases is important.

The presence of mold and rot is an important reason to refuse a purchase

In order not to purchase a low-quality product, you must immediately postpone the package if:

1. There is a smell of rot or mold from the packaging. Such planting material is not suitable.
2. Thickening or growths are visible on the rhizome. These signs may indicate infection of the delenok with cancer or damage to the roots by a nematode.
3. When touched, the planting material is too dry or wet.

If the listed shortcomings are absent, but there are only 1 or 2 kidneys on the division, then you should not refuse it. Such a peony, after planting in the spring, will bloom later and will grow more slowly, but in adulthood it will delight with lush flowering.

How to save peonies for spring planting

It is not always possible to purchase peonies just in time for planting. Therefore, many gardeners have to save them until the right time. There are several options that guarantee the safety of peonies:

1. If the kidneys have not started to grow into divisions, then it is enough to place them in a bag, pour them with sphagnum or vermiculite, and put them in the refrigerator.
2. When the growth of the kidneys has begun, then the peony division should be planted in a flower pot with a volume of 2-3 liters. Be sure to lay a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot, and take a light and nutritious substrate. Put the container in a cool place (+ 4-6 ° C) so as not to stimulate vegetation. In the spring, dig in the area along with the pot, in the fall, plant it in a permanent place in open ground.

You can not dig in, but immediately plant a peony in the spring in open ground. This option is more risky, but possible. Those who decide to plant a peony in the fall need to move the pot into the room and take care of it before planting, like an indoor flower. This option is suitable if there is no basement or cellar.

The plant needs:

• good lighting, can be backlit;
• powdering the soil with wood ash to prevent rot;
• stacking ice cubes to keep the temperature cool;
• weekly inspection.

How to plant peonies in spring

The event must take place with the exact implementation of the basic rules. These are well-chosen and prepared:

• term;
• a place;
• the soil;
• planting material

And, of course, the right fit.

When to plant peonies outdoors in spring

The timing of planting a peony is very important. One condition must be met – to allow the delenka to take root before the first shoots appear. Therefore, the optimal time is April, when stable warming has not yet begun. The plant will have time to take root. It is convenient to use the recommendations of the lunar calendar, but subject to adjustments for the weather conditions of a particular region.

Before the selected date, planting material must be inspected and prepared:

1. Remove any rot or damaged areas.
2. Disinfect the rhizome of the peony in a solution of potassium permanganate or the drug “Maxim” (20 minutes).
3. Treat the sections with wood ash.

Then process the future peony in a solution of Heteroauxin and leave for a day. As a result, you can already plant peonies in open ground in the spring.

After the correct completion of all stages, the delenka will quickly grow in spring

Where to plant peonies in spring

At this stage, you need to determine the place and pick up or prepare the soil. The splendor and beauty of the peony bloom directly depends on these parameters. Culture makes the following demands:

1. A place with good sunshine throughout the day. The shade of peonies is contraindicated, the bush may completely refuse to bloom or form a few inflorescences. Some shading is allowed at noon.
2. Protection against drafts and cold winds, but without air stagnation.
3. The distance from buildings or fences is at least 1,5 m. Maintain the same gap between adjacent peony bushes.
4. Avoid lowlands where the rhizomes of the plant can rot. Permissible groundwater level – at least 1 m. Otherwise, make drainage or raise a flower bed.

Peonies prefer soil with slightly alkaline or neutral acidity. The soil is fertile, light, well-drained. Cultivated loam is ideal.

Rules and methods for planting peonies in spring

There are several options that gardeners can take advantage of in the spring. Depending on the weather, peonies can be planted in containers (pots) or immediately in open ground. The best breeding methods, any of which is used for spring planting:

1. The division of the bush is the most common.
2. Pruning a bush (used often).
3. Root cuttings with growth bud. Convenient if you need a large number of divisions.
4. Layering – only with the early onset of heat.

Most often, gardeners opt for dividing the bush and planting root cuttings.

Very early planting of peonies in spring

Gardeners may be faced with a situation where weather conditions do not allow planting peonies, and the condition of the planting material requires this. For example, the rhizome is already with long sprouts, and the delenka started to grow. The landing rules are the same as in the usual time. Do not pay attention to the possibility of return frosts and snowfall. There are two options for the procedure:

1. Plant in thawed soil (without heating) to a depth of 3-5 cm. If the division has sprouted, then measure the required distance (3-5 cm) from the base of the sprout and cover it with soil, and leave the rest of the sprouts on the surface. Build a shelter or mini-greenhouse to keep tender sprouts.
   
   

   Part of the sprouts, the length of which exceeds 5 cm, cannot be buried in the ground.

2. Dig a peony division in a temporary place, and plant it in the fall.

   Then early spring planting will not be problematic.

How to plant purchased peonies in the spring in a container

Many gardeners believe that planting in a container has a lot of advantages. You will need a pot with a volume of at least 5-10 liters and carefully follow the sequence of actions:

1. Lay drainage on the bottom.
2. Fill the container with a nutrient mixture (chernozem + humus + peat) in equal proportions.
3. Plant a delenka so that the highest point of renewal is 2-3 cm deep from the soil surface.
4. Compact the soil very carefully and water.
5. Place in basement for rooting.

As soon as the active growth of the stem begins, the plant has taken root. Take the container out into the light when the height of the stem reaches 5-7 cm.

The root system requires transplanting from a pot after 2-3 years

Features of planting a peony out of the box in spring

You can plant peonies bought in a box in the spring. If they are purchased in advance, then you should place the purchase in the refrigerator. So the growth of shoots will stop, and suction roots will appear on the rhizome. Before planting, take out the delenka and clean it of peat. Soak in disinfectant solution. This is the most important and crucial moment. In any damaged place on the roots, pathogenic microflora can settle, which will lead to the death of the plant.

Planting a peony with sprouts in spring

The quality of peony flowering depends on the correct implementation of the event. Step by step how to plant peonies in spring:

1. Prepare a planting pit with dimensions of 60 cm x 60 cm. When planting several seedlings, leave a distance of 1,5 m between them. When digging, the top layer of soil should be separated from the bottom, for example, spread out on opposite sides of the pit.
2. Pour a layer of drainage – expanded clay, river sand, broken bricks.
3. Lay the top layer of soil on top, then humus, 1 glass of ash, 80 g each of potassium sulfate and superphosphate. Top up the soil so that it is 25 cm to the surface of the soil.
4. Set the division, straighten the roots, planting depth 5 cm.
5. Cover with soil, gently compact, pour water.
6. Mulch with manure.

It is very important to maintain the recommended planting depth.

The basic rule of landing is to maintain the correct depth

Terms and rules for planting peonies in the summer in the ground

You can plant rhizomes in open ground from April to the end of September. But, August is considered the optimal summer period. For summer, the method of dividing the bush is most suitable. It is recommended to dig a hole in advance so that the earth subsides. The rest of the landing rules do not differ from the spring event.

How to plant a peony in summer

Before planting, determine the location and prepare a hole 70 cm deep and 60 cm in diameter.

Lay a layer of drainage and fertile soil.

The peony bush is well watered, dug up and divided.

Set the roots on a mound of earth, sprinkle with soil, compact and water.

In summer, you will have to shade the plant a little so that the scorching sun does not destroy the seedling.

Care for peonies after planting

The first year after spring planting is a very important period for peonies.

Watering is regular (every other day) for a month, then according to weather conditions and soil conditions. Stagnation of water or overdrying of the soil is not allowed. An adult peony needs at least 20 liters of water.

You need to loosen the next day after watering, but very carefully. It is also important to weed weeds so that the roots have enough moisture and nutrients.

In the period from early May to mid-June, carry out the first top dressing with mineral complex fertilizer + ammonium nitrate around the root. In the first year, foliar spraying is considered more effective. As soon as shoots begin to grow, prepare a solution of 5 liters of water and 30 g of urea. After 3 weeks, add 1 tablet with trace elements to the same composition. The third time after 2 weeks, prepare the composition with 2 tablets.

Spud a young bush in October, cover with a layer of spruce branches on top.

Some gardeners claim that nutrition is not needed in the first two years. If the roots have not grown to the fertile layer of the planting pit, then foliar feeding will allow the peony to get stronger.

Conclusion

Planting peonies in the spring helps gardeners in many cases. It is only important to follow the basic recommendations, take into account the weather conditions and choose the landing option.