How to feed peonies to bloom. How to feed peonies: the choice of fertilizer in different periods

Proper feeding peonies at the beginning of the growing season allows you to get incredibly lush flowering. peony bushes long time grow in one place and bloom profusely every year, which leads to rapid depletion of the soil. Plants must be carefully looked after. Early spring top dressing is one of the most necessary activities to improve the quality of flowers. With the help of special fertilizers, peonies can be made to bloom much more abundantly and brighter than usual.

Early spring top dressing

Peonies planted in a well-fertilized pit begin to be fed only after three years. At this time, the plants in the garden begin to bloom. For abundant flowering, in addition to regular watering and loosening, additional nutrition is required. You need to try to have time to feed the peonies in the spring immediately after the snow melts. During this period, plants need nitrogen first of all.

Intensive growth of bushes can be supported:

urea;
ammonium nitrate (sodium, calcium or potassium);
calcium cyanamide (suitable for floating soils).

A lot of nitrogen is found in organic matter. Instead of mineral fertilizers, the earth can be sprinkled with rotted last year's manure. The thickness of the organic layer should be about 5 cm. The soil sprinkled with humus is loosened and watered abundantly.

Gardeners who do not have humus can use spring top dressing with rye bread:

1. Half a loaf of black bread is dipped in cold water at 12 o'clock.
2. The resulting slurry is diluted with a bucket of water and the plants are watered. One bucket is enough for a bush.
3. Top dressing with bread is carried out immediately, as the first sprouts appeared from the ground.

When applying mineral fertilizers, their dose should be calculated in such a way that each bush has 10-15 g of nitrogen. For example, if it is written on a pack of urea that the nitrogen content is 46%, then 20 g of fertilizer is applied for each young bush about to bloom for the first time, which, in terms of pure nitrogen, will be 10 g of useful substance.

Nitrogen fertilizer No. 1

All nitrogen fertilizers are highly soluble in water. Urea or saltpeter can be diluted with warm liquid and watered the bushes. Sometimes the granules are simply scattered on the ground and buried with a rake. The second method is suitable if the soil is still wet from melted snow.

Budding period

Peonies begin to pick up buds in the summer. Already in early June, numerous flower sprouts form on the bushes. Phosphorus is required for good budding. To ensure the friendly development of leaves, flowers and roots during this period, 10 g of nitrogen, 20 g of phosphorus and 10 g of potassium are added under each bush.

The nutritional needs of plants will be fully met by:

azophoska;
nitroammophoska.

To attain ideal proportions nutrients, experienced growers several mono-fertilizers are mixed in the right amount. For example, as mentioned above, 10 g of nitrogen are contained in 20 g of urea. The right amount the plant will receive phosphorus from 150 g of simple superphosphate or 60 g of double, and 10 g of potassium - from just 20 grams of potassium chloride - a highly concentrated fertilizer, a little more than half of the composition of which falls on potassium, which is well absorbed by plants.

Period after flowering

During flowering, plants do not feed. For the third time during the season, the bushes are fertilized 2 weeks after flowering - in July. At this time, buds are laid in peonies and plants will need a lot of phosphorus and potassium. Under each bush contribute 20-25 g of pure potassium.

You need to carefully monitor the dosage of fertilizers, since any plant is better to underfeed than overfeed. An excess amount of food disrupts the development of crops and prevents them from preparing for wintering. Incorrectly fertilized bushes often freeze in winter, and suffer from fungal diseases during the season.

For the third top dressing, you can use a mixture of wood ash and superphosphate:

500 g of wood ash and 300 g of superphosphate are thoroughly mixed and infused for at least a day in five liters of water.
Bushes fertilize by diluting the working solution clean water 10 times.

End of summer and autumn

In August and September it is time to prepare for wintering. Early autumn until October root system flower thickens. It is rich in nutrients. Throughout the first half of autumn, the roots continue to grow. Additional feeding will help the plants store more food and make it easier to overwinter.

For autumn top dressing, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are used. Potassium increases the winter hardiness of plants, phosphorus will stimulate the next year's flowering.

Autumn top dressing is carried out in a dry form. In the first case, 20 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium chloride are poured onto the soil near each bush. Pre-flowers are well watered.

Industrial flower fertilizers

Modern chemical industry produces ready-made fertilizer mixtures that increase the brightness, splendor and duration of flowering. These drugs are easy to use. They are ideal for beginner gardeners, as there is no risk of miscalculating the dosage if they are used.

Industrial mixtures can be used both for planting peonies and for feeding already planted plants. In addition to ease of use, ready-made powders and liquids have another advantage - they are more effective than conventional mineral fertilizers, and sometimes even surpass organic matter in quality.

Table: mineral fertilizers for flowers:

Names	Mode of application
"Kemira" flower	For feeding flowers in spring and summer. Sold in large volume packages (2.5 kg). Does not contain chlorine. Suitable for any flowers: annuals, perennials, bulbs. Peonies are fertilized every 2 weeks at the rate of 10-20 g per 10 liters of water.
"mortar"	Suitable for root and foliar dressings. Dilute at a dosage of 20 g per 10 liters of water
OMU Buyskiye fertilizers "Flower"	100 g of fertilizer per bush. Sprinkle over the surface of the soil and loosen
"Agricola" for flowers	Crystalline powder, completely soluble. Suitable for foliar applications. A sachet (50 g) is diluted in 20 liters of water
"Agricola Aqua" for flowering plants	Contains trace elements in chelated form, humic substances, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Suitable for root and foliar top dressing. A 250 ml bottle is enough to prepare 50 liters of solution
"Fertika" flower	Without chlorine. Contains macro- and microelements. For 10 liters of water take 10-20 grams of powder

Fertilized soils allow you to get earlier and larger flowers. The bushes will become more durable, they will not need to be transplanted to a new place due to the depletion of the substrate. Properly and on time, fed plants winter well and almost do not get sick.

In this article, we will look at how and what fertilizers to apply and folk remedies for feeding peonies.

Peony is rightly called the king of the garden. Its magnificent lush, fragrant buds attract attention, and the intoxicating, dizzying aroma easily envelops in a haze of magical fragrance. In this article we will talk about feeding peonies.

How to feed peonies after winter in early spring?

In order for peonies to please the eye and serve as a decoration for the front garden, today we will look at how, when to care for them, as well as how and how to properly feed them.

The peony itself is quite unpretentious and resilient, unless, of course, all the measures for proper planting are observed and the place is well chosen.
This culture is quite hardy and endures both persistent frosts and heat.
On the roots of peonies there are many dormant buds that are constantly changing. Do not try to "transfer" the plant from one place to another. With a properly chosen place, a culture can stay and bloom in the allotted time for up to fifty years, and there are cases that even longer. For such favor, gardeners adore them and do not stop caring for them.

However, in order for these flowers to please your eye, it is not enough to plant them on the site, you must also create them favorable conditions, namely:

Eradicate weeds to allow stalks to break through
Water and loosen the soil
Fertilize the crop with various top dressings and other necessary additives
Prevent the occurrence of ailments

Caring for a crop in the spring is not difficult, but it has a number of its own characteristics and characteristics. It must be said right away that not only top dressing is important during this period, it is also very important to ensure proper care peonies and only after that proceed to their fertilizer.

The ground part of the plant dies off before the onset of cold weather, and in spring period shoots re-grow
Weeds must be eradicated immediately so that they do not affect the growth of new stems. The soil around the bushes must be loosened very carefully, at least 12 cm from the bush, otherwise you can harm the sprouts that are trying to break through.
It is necessary to try to rake the ground to the plant, while protecting the root system with the necessary layer of soil within 5 cm. This arrangement of the rhizome must be constantly monitored so that it does not rise above the soil. If the root nevertheless rises above the surface, then the growing buds will suffer from cold or heat and, as a result, will die.

As soon as the snow melts, as a rule, in early spring, during the period of the appearance of small shoots that begin to appear from the ground, plant bushes must be fed with the following nutrients:

Phosphorus
Potassium
trace elements
Potassium permanganate solution
Ammonium nitrate

Indeed, with untimely and insufficient feeding of the bushes of the plant in early spring, it will not receive enough of the necessary nutrients and will lag behind in development, will be prone to disease.

How and what to use fertilizers and folk remedies for feeding peonies in early spring after winter: rules, recipes and technologies

Among other top dressings that are carried out during the whole growing season, special place allotted in the spring. After all, it has a huge impact on how quickly the bushes will wake up after hibernation and whether enough forces will be accumulated to form and bloom buds.

In this regard, gardeners who have been growing peonies for a long time carry out a number of complex procedures and manipulations in the spring, which are aimed at fertilizing the soil with all the necessary substances, microelements.

First stage spring feeding falls at the end of April, beginning of May. It was at this time that the sprouts rise above the ground plane, and need organic fertilizers:

Mullein
Horse dung
bird droppings
Humus
Compost
Nitrophoska

The second stage of nutrition of crop plants occurs 14-20 days after the first. The goal, which is to provide the culture with all the nutrients during flowering:

35 g phosphorus
25 g potassium
Bucket of infused mullein

The third stage of feeding comes about a month later, when the bushes have already finished blooming:

Mullein infusion 1 bucket
35 g superphosphate
20 g potassium sulfate

As previously reported, spring feeding is very important. But also an important aspect is the selection of high-quality and effective fertilizer. The most common fertilizers include:

Fertik, allowed for use as many as 3 times in one season. The method of its application is as follows: you need to put a handful of fertilizer in the recess made under the bush and sprinkle it with earth. At each stage of feeding, different types of fertilizers should be used: Kemira-Universal, also called Fertiku, is used in early spring before flowering, but Kemira-Combi is already used during the second feeding. This fertilizer dissolves quite easily, so you just need to pour it on the ground and pour water on the bush.
Baikal EM-1 has gained immense popularity among organic substances. It nourishes the soil amazingly, but also improves the very structure of the soil. But before direct fertilization of pions in the spring with Baikal EM-1E, it must be mixed with compost. In addition, the layer of such fertilizer should be within 10 cm.
Chicken manure can be used as a resource useful substances. To make a fertilizer based on it, you will need 1.5 liters of chicken manure and a full bucket of water. The solution settles for 2 weeks. Fertilizer is applied in this form 1:3 with water. For a better effect, you can add a handful of wood ash to it.

There is also such a folk remedy for fertilizing these flowers:

120 g yeast
glass of sugar
Warm water to dissolve yeast
A bucket of water

We dissolve granulated sugar in warm water, and then we put yeast in the liquid. Leave the resulting mixture for 10-12 hours. After the time has passed, we filter the liquid, and then mix it with a bucket of water.

Experienced gardeners use such fertilizers to ensure lush flowering culture bushes. In addition, a yeast-based solution is ideal for bushes just starting to grow.

How to feed peonies in the spring during the budding period?

As you can see, these flowers are constantly in need of regular feeding, and the period of formation of the buds of the plant is no exception. It is very important to fertilize the bushes of these plants at this time, because after winter period peonies, like all plants, are very weak and need to be replenished. Consequently, in this case it is impossible to do without top dressing, therefore it is unacceptable to skip the application of fertilizers that improve the budding of the crop.

In order for peony bushes to please with lush and rich flowering for a long time, it is necessary to remove all buds for the first couple of years after they are planted in the ground. This technique will enable the plant to take root firmly and further develop in the best possible way.

So, during the active budding of flowers, it is worth giving preference to such substances:

Initially, it is worth giving preference to top dressing, which contains nitrogen and potassium.
Specifically, during the budding period, peonies must be fertilized with a mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium without fail
Already after flowering, the plant can be limited to the introduction of substances such as phosphorus and potassium

How and what to use fertilizers and folk remedies for feeding peonies during the budding period: rules, recipes and technologies

The magnificent flowering of this crop falls on the 3rd year after planting it in the soil. By this period, the main stems in the amount of 10 to 15 pieces are fully formed on the bushes. During the formation of buds, already formed bushes are also fed.

To fertilize the crop during the formation of buds, you can use such a liquid feed, which is prepared on the basis of the following components:

15 g nitrogen
25 g phosphorus
20 g potassium
12 liters of water

This amount of the mixture must be diluted in 12 liters of water. The resulting liquid solution is poured under one bush. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out such a manipulation for each existing peony bush in the garden.

Here is another recipe for good flower feeding for this period:

2.5 st. l. nitrophoska
1 l mullein
10-12 liters of water

We mix all the ingredients, let it brew a little and use it to feed peonies at the rate of 6.5 liters per bush.

It will not be superfluous to spray the bushes with a solution of such a product as Bud. This tool helps to regulate plant growth. You need to mix the ingredients like this: for 1 liter of water you need to take 1 g of the substance
Also use wood ash, just sprinkling it around the bushes. For 1 bush you need 1.5 cups of ash

How and what to use fertilizers and folk remedies for feeding peonies after flowering in July, August: rules, recipes and technologies

Young peony bushes begin to delight us with their lush flowering only in the 3rd year after planting. Consequently, during this period they need nutritious top dressing, which is carried out in spring and summer about 3 times.

The final stage of top dressing with mineral fertilizers (potassium-phosphorus top dressing) coincides with the first summer month. For the preparation of this type of fertilizer, the following ingredients are used:

10 to 15 g potassium
15 to 20 g phosphorus
Microfertilizer tablet

We mix all the ingredients in a container and fertilize the bushes with the resulting mixture in a cool or evening time. It is important to know that peonies must be fertilized with this mixture very carefully, without falling on the stems, otherwise it can cause a burn.

You can also use a mixture of the following ingredients:

2 tsp superphosphate
10 water
Microfertilizer for flowering plants

It will take about 5.5 liters per bush of flowers.

Autumn top dressing of peonies, for the winter - fertilizers, folk remedies: rules, recipes and technologies

In addition to top dressing, which is carried out during the most highly intensive stages of the formation of a plant, an important place is given to autumn. In the autumn season, somewhere in September, early October, the roots of plants still continue to grow, while accumulating nutrients in their individual seals, which are very important for overcoming the winter period and spring germination. For this reason, autumn feeding of the crop should not be skipped.

You can use the following fertilizers. To prepare phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, you need to prepare:

17 g phosphorus
17 g potassium
A bucket of water

Pour liquid into the container and add our fertilizers to it. With the resulting mixture, carefully water each bush, without falling on the stems and leaves of the flower, in order to avoid dangerous burns that weaken the general condition of the plant.

The final feeding of peonies is carried out using a mixture of such means:

100 g bone meal
1 cup wood ash

The resulting mixture must be spread evenly around each bush of the plant and loosen the soil, so that the resulting fertilizer will penetrate into Right place. Here is another useful tool. This nutrient fertilizer for peonies can be prepared in a fairly affordable and simple way:

In the prepared barrel, you need to dilute a bucket of mullein with 5 buckets of water
Next, put the resulting mixture on sunlight and let it brew for 2 weeks.

At this time, you need to do the following manipulations with fertilizer:

wait for active fermentation
add 50 g of wood ash to the barrel
200 g superphosphate
to stir thoroughly
before watering, dilute the resulting mixture with ordinary water

In addition to feeding flowers in the autumn, it is equally important to create them good conditions for wintering:

When the air temperature in the street drops rapidly, the culture is exposed to unfavorable conditions. weather conditions therefore it is important to create the most comfortable conditions in which the plant will stay until spring. Most important conditions for a good descent of the peony into sleep, cutting the bush and creating a shelter for the peony is used.
This procedure should be carried out in the last month of autumn, with the first frosts. Pruning bushes, this is the almost complete removal of the stems. Only small shoots above the buds are left above the ground. As a shelter, you can use fallen leaves, humus, or peat. In addition, such a layer should reach from 10 to 20 centimeters, depending on how cold the winters are.
Thanks to this manipulation, the plants will be protected from frost and provided necessary elements for hibernation. For powdering bushes, preference should not be given to straw and wood shavings. Indeed, under such a thickness, the formation of fungi and bacteria is possible. Throughout the winter, watch the peony bushes, it happens that the buds are exposed. If this happens, cover the shoots immediately. And when spring comes, the seedlings will need to be freed from the impromptu "veil".

In order for peonies to be healthy and delight your eyes with their lush, luxurious flowering, it is vital to take care of them on time, efficiently, and following all the instructions and recommendations.

Video: Care for peonies in autumn and spring

In order for peonies to charm everyone around with their lush flowering in summer, they need to be fertilized in a timely manner. Then they feel comfortable for a long time without a transplant. To do this, it is not enough to loosen, regularly water the plant, you need to know how to feed the peonies in the spring. And also adhere to the time frames recommended by experts. Since at each stage of the formation of a bush, it needs different nutrients.

Feeding peonies: choosing the right time and fertilizer

It’s worth starting with the fact that everything is good in moderation. Too much fertilizer can damage flower quality. For example, too much nitrogen will cause foliage to grow, and there will be practically no flowers. Moreover, the formation of buds will be significantly delayed.

So, before thinking about how to feed peonies in the spring for lush flowering, it is necessary to determine the exact timing. And this procedure is supposed to begin at the end of April - the first half of May. But this will be only the first stage of the spring feeding of peonies.

The second is at the end of May. If until this time the peony was actively increasing its green mass, now it is important to maintain its ability to form many buds.

Fertilizer for the first feeding is supposed to be composed of nitrogen and potassium. At this point, more of the first element can be added. The amount of nitrogen ranges from 10 to 50 grams. It all depends on the quality of the soil in the flower bed.

The second top dressing is prepared from a mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Moreover, one bush is supposed to take these elements in such an amount: 10-15 g, 15-20 g, 10-15 g, respectively.

Feeding peonies in spring with complex fertilizers

A common drug is Kemira. It can be used three times per season. Its first variety is Kemira-Universal. It is applied in early spring before flowering. Peonies are re-treated with her a week after flowering. It is easy to apply it: put a handful of fertilizer in a recess under a bush, then sprinkle it with soil.

The second top dressing is carried out using the Kemira-Combi preparation. There is no need to dig it. It is enough to pour on the surface of the soil under the bush and water the plant abundantly. This drug will dissolve easily, so it will quickly go to the peony.

For plants that have been growing for many years without a transplant, it is useful organic fertilizer Baikal EM-1. It contains live microorganisms. They are able to improve the structure of the soil, therefore, improve its fertility. But before fertilizing peonies in the spring with Baikal EM-1, it is supposed to be mixed with compost in the fall. Then use it as mulch for peonies. Moreover, the fertilizer layer should be from 7 to 10 cm thick.

Foliar top dressing of peonies in spring

It is useful for both adult bushes and young plants. It is recommended to spray peonies every month. For foliar top dressing, it is supposed to use a watering can with a fine sieve.

The first option of how to feed peonies, in such a situation, is any complex fertilizer. For example, the mineral preparation Ideal. It must be dissolved in water, strictly following the instructions indicated in the instructions.

In order for the drug to stay longer on peonies, it is supposed to add a small amount to the water with fertilizer. laundry soap. It can be replaced washing powder. Consumption detergents should not exceed a tablespoon per bucket of water.

The second option of foliar top dressing is carried out according to the scheme with two stages. The first falls on early spring, that is, the time when the bush is just sprouting from under the ground. At this time, peonies need urea. It is taken about 50 grams per 10 liters of water. Second stage: 1 tablet of micro-fertilizer is added to the same spray composition. It is carried out 4 weeks after the first treatment.

In the third variant of foliar feeding, it is proposed to use urea. The first time spraying is also carried out at the beginning of the growth of the green part. And after two weeks, add one tablet of trace elements to the same solution.

Fertilizer for peonies from bread

Gardeners use this dressing for lush flowering. And it's not hard to do it. For one night, put half a loaf in a small amount warm water and a glass of sugar. In the morning, strain the contents and pour into a bucket of water. It remains only to pour this fertilizer on peonies that begin to grow.

After that, the traditional care of peonies in the spring is needed, such top dressing can be done using yeast. Only instead of bread, a pack of 100 grams of baker's yeast is taken. In addition, this fertilizer will ferment faster.

Another recipe for peony food, consisting of simple ingredients, is based on chicken manure. It is supposed to take only half a liter per bucket of water. That's just to insist the fertilizer will have to be within two weeks. Then use, spreading in a ratio of 1 to 3. For greater effect add a handful of wood ash.

Peonies - very undemanding plants. Complex care for peonies is not required. For better growth of these flowers, it is recommended to carry out 3-4 top dressings during the period of vegetative growth. The most common diseases of peony bushes are botrytis - gray rot, circular mosaic of leaves and rust. But all these diseases are easily treated.

peonies care

Caring for peonies consists in loosening the soil, weeding and watering.

The first watering should be carried out in early spring, immediately after the ground has thawed. Watering is carried out using a solution of potassium permanganate. Diluted 2-3 g of potassium permanganate in 10 liters of water. This solution is watered with 1-2 peony bushes. Such watering accelerates the growth of buds and roots, protects the bushes from infection with gray rot and disinfects the soil.

After the appearance of sprouts, the bushes are sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. The earth around the bushes is gently loosened.

Peony bushes have a rather large leaf mass, a lot of moisture evaporates, so abundant watering is required every 10-12 days. Pour 3-4 buckets of water under each bush. It is especially important to water peony flowers in early summer. After all, it is at this time that active growth and flowering occurs. No less important is intensive watering in July, when renewal buds develop. After each watering, it is necessary to loosen the ground around the bushes. This is done to retain moisture in the soil.

Stimulating the growth of peony flowers

To get large flowers from a bush for cutting, it is necessary to pinch the side buds. They must be removed when they reach the size of a pea. But the branch should not be deleted completely, but leaving 2-3 sheets. Otherwise in next year flowering will be reduced. If the side buds are left, then the flowering period of the bush itself will be extended. In the first year, it is recommended to remove all buds altogether in order to stimulate the development of the root system and the formation of renewal buds. In the second year after planting, 1-2 buds can be left on the plant. If you follow these recommendations, then already in the third year after planting, the bush will grow significantly and full flowering will begin.

peonies fertilizer

At proper fit in the first two years, peony bushes do not need mineral fertilizer. But it is at this time that the root system is formed, so it is necessary to carry out foliar feeding in the first year after planting. It is carried out with garden sprayer. The interval for feeding is 10-15 days. Top dressing is carried out in the morning or in the evening.

1st top dressing (should be carried out immediately after the germination of the aerial part): 40-50 g of carbamide (urea) is taken per 10 liters of water.

2nd top dressing: 40-50 g of urea is taken per 10 liters of water, and 1 tablet of microelements is added.

3rd top dressing: 1 tablet of trace elements is taken per 10 liters of water.

To make the leaves better wetted with a solution, you can add 1 tablespoon of washing powder to it.

In the third year after planting, peony bushes begin to bloom intensively. Therefore, at this time it is required mineral supplement. Usually in the spring-summer season, such top dressing is carried out three times.

1st top dressing: nitrogen-potassium. It is held in early spring, when there is still snow or immediately after it has melted. Directly on the snow or on the ground around the bush, 10-15 g of nitrogen and 10-20 g of potassium are poured. Pour fertilizer very carefully, avoid getting on the neck of the bush. Fertilizers will dissolve and, together with melt water, will be absorbed into the ground.

2nd top dressing: nitrogen-potassium-phosphorus. It is carried out during the budding period. The purpose of this top dressing is to improve the quality of the flowers. For fertilizer, 8-10 g of nitrogen, 10-15 g of potassium, 15-20 g of phosphorus are taken.

3rd top dressing: potassium-phosphorus. It is carried out two weeks after flowering. The purpose of this top dressing is to stimulate the larger buds of renewal. And this, in turn, provides more intense flowering next year. For fertilizer, 10-15 g of potassium and 15-20 g of phosphorus are taken.

Fertilizers can be introduced in dry form. To do this, before watering, a groove is made around the bush. And you can make a solution and water the bush. It is not bad at the same time to add microfertilizers to the water for irrigation. 1-2 tablets are taken per 10 liters of water.

peonies treatment

Gray rot. It affects the stems, buds and leaves of peonies. Most often, it affects young shoots in the spring during rapid growth. Signs of the disease: first appears white coating near the base of the stem. Then in this place the stem darkens, breaks and falls off. The disease progresses most rapidly in damp weather. The causative agent of gray rot overwinters in the soil. For prevention, disinfection of the soil and bushes is carried out in the spring. The first spraying is carried out immediately after the appearance of buds above the ground - the growing season. The second spraying is carried out after 10-12 days. For spraying, a 0.6-0.7% solution of copper oxychloride or a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture is used. If gray rot still appears, then the damaged stem should be immediately cut to the rhizome and treated with a solution of copper oxychloride or Bordeaux liquid.

Rust. This is very serious fungal disease. On the leaves immediately after flowering, yellowish-brown streaks are formed. purple tint spots. The defeat is transmitted from a diseased plant to a healthy one very quickly. In just 2-3 days, bushes over a large area can be infected. The leaves dry up and curl. In the roots, the accumulation of useful substances stops, which in turn negatively affects the formation of renewal buds. Rust prevention includes digging the ground around the bushes, proper, timely feeding, destruction of infected leaves, and regular weeding. In September, a complete pruning of the aerial part of the plant and its burning should be carried out. In addition, peony bushes should not be planted too close to each other. In the fall, after pruning the leaves, or in early spring, before the buds appear, the soil is sprayed with nitrafen. For 10 liters of water, 200 g of nitrafen is taken. Spraying is also carried out with the same preparations that are used in the fight against gray rot, but after flowering, after 7-10 days. It is worth spraying even when signs of the disease appear. Infected leaves should be cut off and burned immediately.

Ring mosaic of leaves. This is viral disease peonies. Rings, half rings, stripes of light green or yellow color. These stripes worsen appearance bush, but do not affect the growth and flowering. Infection occurs when flowers are cut with the same tool from infected and healthy bushes. To prevent infection, the instrument should be disinfected with a strong solution of potassium permanganate. If damage occurs, infected shoots should be removed. They must be cut to the rhizome and then burned.

Many gardeners make a fatal mistake by caring for a peony only in the spring. In this case, it is not worth waiting for abundant flowering, since the budding takes place as early as July - August.

It should be noted that the degree of budding of a peony depends on its age. Young bushes bloom poorly. In the first years of development, flowers can be small size, and in some cases do not even match the declared color. For a peony, this is the norm. Be patient: its properties are fully revealed only in the fifth year of development.

Peony is photophilous, it endures penumbra, but with strong shading it will never bloom magnificently.

How to water peonies for abundant blooms

Not all gardeners are in a hurry to water peonies, believing that their powerful root system is capable of extracting life-giving moisture from the soil itself. This is yet another misconception. Peonies require watering - rare, but quite abundant. In a warm and rainy summer, they can not be irrigated. But in the heat, be sure to water once a week. Pour at least 3-4 buckets under an adult bush.

Especially peonies require watering from the end of May to the beginning of July. At this time, they quickly increase the green mass and form flowers. The stage of laying the kidneys of renewal, which falls on August, is also important. At this time, also water the peonies, despite the fact that they have long faded. Then next year they will delight you with flowering even more.

The method of watering is also important. Many people irrigate directly under the bush, believing that it is there that the peony roots are located. In fact, there are practically none. What many consider to be roots are thickened rhizomes. Their function is to store nutrients. They cannot absorb moisture from the soil.

Water along the periphery of the bush, 20-25 cm from the center. It is there that the young roots are located, which supply the peony with moisture. The older the bush, the longer they are located from its center. To prevent water from spreading, make small indentations around the perimeter, where you water.

How to feed peonies for lush flowering

The abundance of flowering of this perennial largely depends on top dressing. Peonies require regular fertilization. From the third year of development, they should be fertilized at least four times per season.

The first top dressing of the season is carried out on melted snow or immediately after its disappearance. Perfect fit ammonium nitrate. Dissolve 1 tbsp. l. fertilizer in a bucket of water and pour liberally over the bush. If you missed the moment of snow melting, carry out top dressing at the stage of appearance of red sprouts.

Fertilize a second time during bud formation. mix by 1/2 st. l. superphosphate and ammonium nitrate, 1/3 st. l. potassium salt and close the resulting composition in the soil under the bush. Next time, feed the peonies with a similar mixture, but already during the flowering period.

Spend the last dressing of the season after the peonies have completely faded. Wait two weeks and apply a mixture of 1/3 st. l. potassium salt and 1/2 tbsp. l. superphosphate.

Peonies respond well to feeding solution of bird droppings or mullein.

Do not forget that it is necessary to apply any fertilizer only after preliminary heavy watering or rain. Otherwise, you risk burning the young peony roots, which are responsible for absorbing water.

Peony rejuvenation

This perennial can "happily" grow without a transplant for as long as you like. But the older the bush, the poorer it blooms. The way out is simple - spend a rejuvenating division on a peony every 8-10 years. To do this, in August, dig a bush and divide it into parts so that each has at least 3-4 buds.