Peony Merey

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Peony Merey (lat. Paeonia mairei) - a rather attractive species belonging to the genus Peony of the numerous Peony family. A native of the province of Yunnan, located in the southern part of the People's Republic of China. The representative of the family got its name in honor of the French missionary named Edouard-Ernest Merey. The species was introduced into culture back in 1915. In modern gardening, it is used, but not often, and this is despite the fact that the Merey peony multiplies easily and gives abundant flowering.

Characteristics of culture

Peony Merey is represented by low herbaceous plants up to 90 cm high, the stems of which bear double trifoliate, green, rather thin, papery foliage with ellipsoidal or obovate lobes having a wedge-shaped base. Surprisingly to many, in early spring, the veined leaves have a reddish or reddish-brown hue, later the foliage turns completely green. The flowers are large, up to 10-12 cm in diameter. The petals are deep pink in color, obovate, rounded at the tip. Peony Merey blooms one of the first, sometimes at the end of April, but more often in the first or second decade of May, rarely flowering occurs in June.

In appearance, the species under consideration has similarities with the white-flowered peony, which is popular among gardeners. Peony Merey is a very attractive plant, it will become a real decoration of the garden. It is suitable for many types of flower beds and is combined with a huge number of decorative and flower crops. But in order for him to always appear before his owner in excellent condition, it is very important to provide him with proper and, most importantly, timely care. Then he is not afraid of either pests or diseases.

Diseases of culture

Compared to other flower and ornamental crops, peonies are infrequently exposed to pests and diseases. Usually they are attacked with prolonged unfavorable climatic conditions or lack of care. Among the diseases that bother the culture, rust can be noted. It manifests itself in the form of brown or reddish specks that form on the foliage of plants. In order to prevent the spread of the disease, it is very important to take measures during the time - remove diseased leaves and burn them, and treat the bush three times with a 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid.

A disease called gray rot is dangerous for peonies. It affects not only the foliage of the peonies, but also the stems, and even the buds. Its first sign is the wilting of the shoots, and then the manifestation of a grayish mold on the foliage. Less commonly, the disease manifests itself as brownish spots that form around the stem. Damp weather contributes to the spread of the disease, therefore, measures must be taken instantly, otherwise death is inevitable. Despite the danger of the disease, it is not so difficult to fight it. It is enough to remove diseased shoots and leaves, and then spray with Bordeaux liquid.

It is impossible not to note the danger of powdery mildew. She also occasionally attacks the culture and inflicts huge damage on it. The disease manifests itself in the form of a whitish plaque that forms on the foliage, namely from the upper part of the plate. In the fight against powdery mildew, treatment with a solution of soda ash, in which you can include a little soap, is effective. One treatment, as a rule, is not enough, at least 2-3 approaches are needed with a break of 7-10 days.

Care features

There is nothing difficult in caring for the Merey peony. With the onset of warmth, thawing of the soil and the start of the plant in growth, the soil is treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This procedure is a prophylaxis against diseases, including gray mold. The bushes themselves are sprayed a little later with a 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid, while the soil is gently loosened, freeing it from weeds. Then you can carry out the process of applying mulch. It is also important at the beginning of spring to fertilize with mineral fertilizers - potash, phosphorus and nitrogen; and organic matter - better rotted humus.

Peony Merey, like other representatives of the genus, needs two more additional fertilizing - during budding and during flowering. The second involves ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium salt; the third is similar to the second. The fourth feeding is also welcome, it is carried out after flowering, excluding nitrogen fertilizers, at this moment they are not required for the culture.

In addition to fertilizing, watering is important for the Merey peony. They should be regular, but without waterlogging and, even more so, without overdrying the earthy coma. Watering is especially important in the springtime and at the time of bud formation. After flowering, the bushes are pruned. Withered shoots are cut off, leaving stumps no more than 5-6 cm long above the soil surface. After pruning, a little wood ash is added to the soil.