Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Anyone know how to split a peony tree?

I just moved into a house in January and found out, this spring, that I have a beautiful peony tree that has gorgeous pink frilly/lacy flowers. I would love to try and split this so that I can have a few more around the house, but I don't want to damage the original. It's not a peony bush, as I have one of those too. This is an actual "tree" - it's about 3 ft tall and has branches, then the peonies bush out from them. Any ideas?

Anyone know how to split a peony tree?
Don't split it I think you will kill it just go to the nursery and buy one or two. You are looking for Japanese tree peony, the nurseries only get them at certain times of the year I think.
Reply:You can't split a Peony tree. Peony bushes don particularly like to be split either.


How do you divide a peony plant?

I have avery large peony plant in my garden.


How do I divide it and when.


And if I was to plant the seeds it now has on it would they grow.

How do you divide a peony plant?
The best time to plant or divide peonies is in late August or early September.


To divide a peony, cut the top of the plant back to 4 inches. Dig around roots on all sides and carefully lift clumps. Do not break side roots. Shake off excess soil and wash roots with a hard spray of water. Discard any disease or insect infested roots. Divide the clump with a knife or sharp spade. Allow from three to five buds for each new clump. Do not plant newly divided peonies more than 2 inches deep; plant new divisions as you would new roots.


If you click on the link it take you to a site which will explain how to grow from seed
Reply:Peonies don't divide well. They often die if you try/
Reply:Alice Harding in her book 'The Peony' states the consensus is to plant in the fall. Sept or Oct are usually the best to allow time for more roots to grow before dormancy. As a general rule it is 10 days before roots are well started with optimal conditions. She says when planting before mid-Sept the buds on the roots are not likely to be fully formed. If planted late in fall they wont set roots so can be heaved by frost or rocked by winter winds.. Both of these problems affect quantity and quality of future blooms.


It is best to prepare the new planting site as far in advance as possible. If you need to double dig or seriously renovate the soil it will need time to settle. This means a hole at least 18 inches square and deep. If this is done and the new divisions planted immediately they will sink leaving you with the same effect as that of planting too deeply. Peonies will not bloom if planted to deep.


In settled, organic soil, fertilized with 5-10-10 and bone meal, at pH 6 plant the roots so the top eyes are2-3 inches below grade in the finished bed. If the soil is very sandy, light, they may be planted 31/2 inches deep.


http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/suffolk/...


Small divisions of 2-3 eyes should be planted at 2 inches depth and given some winter shelter like a cloche or plastic covered frame to keep the ground warmer. Place the cloche over the the mulch then bank more around the sides 1 inch deep. Remove promptly as shoots begin (this will be after the snow melts or in March usually).


Never plant where peonies have been before without soil restoration. Just like roses, peonies fail if planted in depleted soil. Dig out some of the old soil and replace it with compost to use the site for a new peony.


First cut the old stems to 4-6 inches.


To dig the old peony; encircle it, loosening the soil around the perimeter. Use a transplant spade or square end spade if you can. Lift the plant free and place on a screen or support to wash soil from the roots. If you have a soil sieve/screen set it up supported between two buckets. You can set the plant on the soil sieve and wash the soil off. You will be able to clean the dirt off the crown and the roots while standing up.


The goal is 3-5 eyes per division. The eyes are pinkish buds. Cut the plant to retain solid groups of eyes. Small divisions have fewer resources to withstand stress.


Water in well to settle soil and removed all air pockets. Water until ground freezes then mulch. Never mulch them before the first hard ground freeze. Do not use manure as a mulch on peonies. Peonies are susceptible to wilt and rot caused by fungus that can grow readily on manure. Use a dry mulch like straw, Likewise always remove the old stems and leaves of your peony to remove the fertile trouble source they could become if left to decompose in place.
Reply:you have to wait till autumn, then you dig it up and split the root
Reply:It is too late to divide. It is best to divide plants early spring or in fall after the first frost. I'd wait until fall. Here, you will love this web site it is very informative regarding the division of peonies.


http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/...

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What is the best way to plant tree peony seeds?

I found the seeds under my tree peony. They are very hard shelled and don't seem to have opened over the winter. Is there some special way to plant them to make them grow?

What is the best way to plant tree peony seeds?
Try nicking the coating of the seed with a nail file and soak it in water until it sprouts, then plant.
Reply:Just plant feed and water I love mirace grow myself I have just added peonys to my new yard from seed last year I got a flower this year so I will have 3 seeds from that to plant I have always just planted the seeds my last one I did took me 5 years to cover the front of my yard and if you can get a whit and a red split in 1/2 put the 2 1/2 together you will get a geourgeous BRIGHT pint
Reply:Soak in water until you see a root sprout (If the seed was germinated it should be just a few days) then follow these steps..


By mid-summer the plant (seed with thin white feeder roots) will be relying on its heavy storage roots to see it through the hot times.


Plant in Sun/Part Shade


plant the entire root ball - as undisturbed as possible in the ground. The ideal soil is rich and moisture retentive but well-drained. Damping it down with water will help the soil to settle before roots are placed. Your peonies will be especially vigorous if you also add the trace elements in things like greensand, bone meal, rock phosphate, and ground-up eggshells. A cup mixture of these can be added to the soil before filling up the hole. Avoid any damage to feeder roots.


Herbaceous peonies that die down each year should be planted 3-4 feet apart from each other. Tree peonies need about 6 feet between them.


Peonies have been known to survive in the same place for well over 100 years.
Reply:peony.bulbs...........no seeds





I hope the water suggestion works,It wont hurt to try.
Reply:no


The leaves on my tree peony have dried up over the summer. Should I cut it back?

This fifteen year old tree peony has been moved successfully three times and has always produced beautiful flowers, this year included. Despite watering the leaves started to wither near the roots in mid-August and eventually all of the foilage became yellow and dry. There are two other tree peonies newer ones) within three feet of this one and they are fine. I can find no information on what went wrong. Any suggestions and how should I deal with it? Thanks.

The leaves on my tree peony have dried up over the summer. Should I cut it back?
It would help to know which USDA hardiness zone you're in, in answering the question.





Don't give up on it... are the apical (tip) buds soft? My Japanese tree peony (Paeonia suffructosa) has dropped it's leaves early too, though the tip buds are still pliable and good. It's just gone dormant a little early. That might be the case with yours too.





Keep it watered until the regular dormant season in your area. Watch it carefully in the spring. If it leafs out, cut out the dead, and pamper it along next year. There are some bacterial leaf spot diseases which affect peonies. They do cause defoliation. I couldn't begin to say if that were the problem without seeing a leaf sample.





If the buds are dry, or the branches are dry/ brittle, that would signify that there was little chance there. None the less, I'd leave the plant til spring. You could see some sprouts from the roots.





Good luck-


What's the best plant food for peony plants?

I have planted 2 peony rhyzomes in my front garden and although they have sprouted ,they are still very small.Is this normal for this time of year?Is there a suitable plant food to help them get established? I thought that peonies were lime loving plants and wondered if the ericaceous plant food I have for a tub planted azalea might be suitable - is this suitable?

What's the best plant food for peony plants?
All I have ever done is use hardwood mulch and let it naturally deteriorate, and then my peony's just get bigger and more beautiful each year. I never had to give them much care, but never MOW them down and keep the grass from growing up around them. The ground may be too hard. You may need to dig them this fall, work the soil, then replant. Check your local area as to how deep to plant them so they won't come up too early and freeze.
Reply:Thank you so much for picking my answer as the best. This goes to everyone who has done so. As you can tell, I'm a country gal and learned the old ways. Again, Thanks for the vote! Report It

Reply:Just water. Dont let the soil get dry
Reply:thats easy peony food.
Reply:miracle grow
Reply:I planted my 4" Peony over 3 years ago and it is just now about 1/1/2 ft tall and with blooms, if you transplant them they will also take another 4 years to flower.
Reply:farm yard manure worked into the bed before planting !. if the rhyzomes are new do not expect great things this year next may or june things should get better with flowers cover rhyzomes this winter to protect from frost goodluck .


tip ie peony do not like to be transplanted .