Tree Peony. Growing

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

A tree peony needs proper care. Abundant flowering, longevity directly depends on the agricultural technology of plant cultivation. Timely feeding, watering create a favorable environment for the life of the bushes. Let's get acquainted in more detail with the method of growing a valuable crop

Top dressing

With a good basic filling of the soil, the first 2 years, the plants do not need additional nutrients. At this stage, foliar feeding is more suitable. The necessary substances enter through the leaf plate of the plants.

At the beginning of the growth of the aerial part, a nitrogen solution is prepared from 40 g of urea per 10 liters of water. After 10 days, 1 tablet of microelements containing cobalt, copper, molybdenum, zinc, boron, manganese is added to the urea. The third feeding consists of 2 tablets of microelements.

For better retention of the solution on the leaves, a small amount of liquid soap is added as an adhesive. To activate the growth of the underground part, it is useful to supplement the last 2 compositions with 5 g of sodium humate or 2 tablets of heteroauxin per bucket of water.

In the third year of life, a well-developed root system is ready to actively feed on mineral fertilizers. In early spring, a dry potash-nitrogen mixture of matchboxes per square meter is scattered over the snow. The second feeding is a tablespoon of nitroammophoska dissolved in water at the budding stage. The third is a phosphorus-potassium mixture 2 weeks after flowering.

Before consuming the nutrient solutions, spill the soil with water to prevent root burns. Adding 1-2 tablets of microelements to each dose effectively affects the development of plants.

As the bush grows, the amount of fertilizer increases by 1.5 times. The concentration per liter of solution remains the same.

You can alternate mineral and plant components of nutrition in the summer. Infusion of nettle herb, slurry, diluted 10 times, give positive results. When applying, it is necessary to ensure that liquid top dressing does not fall on the base of the bush. Water the soil adjacent to the plant within a radius of 20-25cm.

Of organic elements, good results are shown: rotted manure, wood ash, bone meal.

Watering

A large number of leaves evaporate a lot of moisture. In dry weather, plants are watered abundantly every 10 days, 3 buckets per bush.

There are several important periods:

• active growth of leaf mass (May-June);

• budding (June);

• laying of the kidneys of the next year (July-August).

At this time, a sufficient amount of moisture in the soil plays a decisive role in the life of peonies.

Reception of watering in pre-prepared grooves, located at a distance of 25 cm from the center, allows young roots to actively provide the plant with the necessary water. The procedure is carried out in the evening to exclude premature evaporation.

In hot weather, some gardeners practice watering over the leaves, which leads to fungal diseases. During the blooming of the buds, surface moistening is strictly prohibited. Spots form on wet inflorescences that worsen the appearance. They are especially noticeable on light varieties.

Care

Regular loosening of the soil surface allows you to create a layer saturated with oxygen, covering the evaporation of moisture from the underlying horizons. Using this technique after watering, heavy rains, destroys the soil crust.

Mulching the soil around the bushes with humus, peat, sawdust keeps it loose for a long time.

Removing weeds in the early stages of development, preserves the root system, removes competitors in the fight for nutrients.

In the first 2 years, the buds that form are removed, allowing the plant to form powerful bushes and an underground part. For 3 years, tree peonies are ready for full bloom.

Winter preparation

Frost resistance of peonies at minus 25 degrees. In regions with more severe winters, it is better to additionally cover the bushes. First, the lower part is covered with earth or covered with peat (humus). Then they are covered with dry leaves, spruce branches.

This technique helps to save the plants from the raids of hares, which can gnaw on young shoots. In winter, a good layer of snow is put on top.

We will consider the protection of tree peonies from diseases in the next article.