Can 50 year old peonies be divided?

We have some peonies that my Mother planted around 50-60 years ago. They are next to the east side of the house and there is a row of elm trees the other side of the drive about 20-30 feet away. These trees were mature when the peonies were planted. They have always been in the same spot and have never been divided. They were always beautiful with abundant blooms the first 40-50 years or so, some white with a little dark pink in the center and some a lovely dark rose color. The last 10 years they have not bloomed. The folige seems fine. We would like to move them and share them among the family members, if we knew how to get them to bloom again. (Even Mom's flowers loose their appeal with no blooms.) If we dig and divide them this fall, will they be revitalized as new plants? I read that peonies live "50 years or more". My question is: Then what? Are these plants used up and too old to grow? What can we do to have blooms again? Thanks for any help you can give us.

Can 50 year old peonies be divided?
I just spoke to a greenhouse plant person about Peonies. They do live about 50 years, and they only grow to a certain root ball size. Dividing them may revitalize them. Just dig up the root and separate it roughly even. You should be able to transplant them. But on the other side, they may have just reached the end of their life span. I recommend asking at a professional greenhouse about it. You should be able to just call them on the phone.


Some good info here:http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/...
Reply:divide your plants maybe they are so root bound that they have used up all the nutrients in the soil where they are buried when you split them up fertilize them with a good all around fertilizer...maybe with a little more of the the middle number on the fertizer...example 20 30 20...ask the greenhouse one is for blooms....this plant should produce more blooms over time....happy planting
Reply:Peonies have been known to live for over 100 years. They never need to be divided but you can if you want more in other places. They like full sun so over the past 10 years have trees grown that have shaded the spot? Also you may want to fertilize. When replanting be sure not to plant more than 2 inches below the soil, they will not bloom. Also it can take up to 2 years for the new plants to bloom.
Reply:i think they could be, although i have never divided ones that old. i would try dividing a few of them, as well as asking someone at a garden center that is knowledgeable. i would think that dividing them would revitalize them. good luck!
Reply:I actually don't know, but try www.hgtv.com (Home and Garden TV). They have a great Q %26amp; A forum. Good Luck!
Reply:This fall you could divide them but after they die back. Then don't divide they in Small batches. They come from a root not a bulb. So try to get all of ones root. I haven't heard anything about how long plans live so I hope this helps.
Reply:well....................................... are going to have to go back 50 years ago.............in conclusion yes!!!!

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