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| Hi, I have an old peony that blooms some years and not others. I have dug it up and found a huge woody root stock attached to it, which I removed. It is located in a very hot bed. Do these plants have a certain life span because I have some that were my grandmother's (but they have been split many times over)? Also, do you think a dry spring could be a problem for this finicky peony? It's the only one that has me 'stumped'. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Tue, May 10, 11 at 8:54
| hey mine are in pure hot sand.. rarely watered.. basically ignored .... and never fail to bloom ... as i recall.. it has a large woody root ... and you cut it off .... i would not expect bloom soon ... the only thing i can think .... is that you have them planted too deep .... or are fertilizing them.. so as to cause green growth.. but retard flowering ... i presume you are talking about prior springs .. since in my z 5 .. they are only about 3 inches tall right now .. perhaps a month from bloom time .... i was told .. many moon ago.. never to dig them up .... how often do you dig them up??? ken
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| The first thought that came to mind is they are planted too deep. The "eyes" should only be 1-2" deep. If you divided it, it may take a year to two to settle in and start blooming, so just enjoy the foliage in the meantime (which I think is quite lovely). Re: digging up: I've moved peonies before with no problem. Blooming may or may not be set back a year (I've had it go both ways), but they will be fine. They are TOUGH plants, I recall reading somewhere there are peonies over 100 years old. So no need to baby them, just check that you didn't plant too deep, give them adequate moisture and sunshine (no less than partial shade), and they will reward you. :0) |
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- Posted by plays_in_dirt_dirt Z7A VA bordering NC (My Page) on Tue, May 10, 11 at 15:05
| Mine don't bloom either. When I planted it, I thought I was being careful not to plant it too deep, because I was aware that too deep = no blooms. They have been in the ground about three years now. Should I dig it up and plant it higher? If so, would fall be the best time? Would scratching away some soil around it help? Thanks, |
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| It's possible you disturbed the root system too much by removing some of the woody roots. Also, if it's a very hot bed, it could be stressed from lack of water. Generally mine bloom well, unless they are too small or I get crazy and transplant them in the Spring, then they tend to abort their blooms. They do best with fall transplant. Last November I transplanted and divided 4 Peonies, and rearranged them in a bed along the foundation of the house. They are full of buds now. I usually plant the "eyes" at about soil level. |
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