My transfer of several fragrant peonies from Kentucky was successful. The seedpod cluster remains when the bloom fades. Are those pods in need of pruning? Rebecca Pell, county of Fayette
A: Peony seedpods don’t prevent further blooming because no fresh flowers are anticipated after spring. However, because they lessen the plant’s summer bloom, most people remove them as soon as they are seen. Before it turns brown in November, there is no need to remove any leaf. The common peony can then be cut all the way back to the ground. Reminder: If you have a tree peony, avoid cutting the brown structural twigs all the way to the ground. Tip: To prevent people from stepping on my peony clumps in the winter, I made 1″ wide rims from the tops of old plastic pots and placed them around dormant plants to make them stand out more.
A tree that was felled five years ago keeps producing tiny sweetgum saplings on my fescue lawn. What is the most effective way to guarantee that I destroy every sapling? Randy Harrison, County of Gwinnett
A: In all honesty, the most effective method is the most basic: Regularly clip or mow the leafy sprouts to starve the sweetgum root fragments that are still alive after the main tree was felled. I promise that if you regularly remove the leaves, the sprouts will eventually cease growing.
Do you have any recommendations for the ideal soil type for a bonsai tree kept indoors?
Email from Kristin Jones
A number of “tree-like” houseplants can be trained to have the traditional bonsai appearance. The Norfolk Island pine, ficus, and jade plant are excellent choices. They therefore don’t require anything more complex than ordinary potting soil. But one thing to remember is that your plants will continue to grow in the same container for a while. The earth will eventually become compacted and less permeable to water as time goes on. Put a reminder in your calendar to replace the soil in your indoor bonsai every few years.
A yellow jacket nest appears in my yard each year. I discovered the newest nest on Sunday (i.e. I got stung three times). Is there anything I can do to make my yard less appealing to yellow jackets? email from Michael Morrow
A: Last week, I “found” a nest on my own, but I only got two stings. I had to cross a shady pine island to get to the entrance. Yellow jackets cannot be repelled in any way. Being extremely vigilant in areas where they might build a nest is all that is required. At bit.ly/GAyellowjacket, I have information regarding their habits as well as many trap types.
How are peony seed pods used?
Peony seeds that have been collected can be planted right away, either outside in the garden or indoors in seedling trays or pots. Warmth-cold-warmth cycles are necessary for peony seedlings to develop their first genuine leaves.
In the natural world, seeds are spread on warm late summer to fall days and grow swiftly. By winter, they have developed tiny but useful roots. During the winter, they lay dormant before emerging as the soil warms in the spring. Peony seed trays or pots can be placed in a warm, sunny spot after being kept in a refrigerator drawer for about three months to simulate this natural cycle.
Harvested peony seeds can also be planted to create new peonies by placing them in a plastic sandwich bag with damp peat and vermiculite. Until roots start to form in the bag, keep the bag tight and set it in a dark area with a constant temperature of 70 to 75 F (21 to 24 C). After that, store the bag in the crisper of your refrigerator until spring when you may plant the plants outside.
Can the seed pods of peony be grown?
If you didn’t deadhead in June, some of your types might have peony seed capsules. On the tips of peony stems, there are stiff, leathery growths that frequently raise questions in my mind.
The majority of people are relieved to learn that they are seed pods and may even be viable. Peonies can be grown from seed, yes. A mature peony plant can be grown from seed, however it takes a little longer than from a root division.
Blitz Tort, Delavan Rose, Flame, Mischief, Lemon Chiffon, Lois Kelsey, Nosegay, Picotee, Topeka Garnet, Villosa, and White Sands are a few of the well-known peony seed manufacturers. When I deadhead a particular variety, I will occasionally leave a few spent flowers to generate open pollinated seed in the late summer. Sometimes I leave a couple on cultivars that hardly ever or never produce pods in case “this is the year.”
Although it’s a little early to consider mature peony seeds in July, we are a few weeks ahead of Oregon’s usual temperature. We experienced an early spring, and this summer’s crops are all moving at full speed. Over two weeks ago, I discovered a few Paeonia mlokosewitschii plants with fractured seed pods.
Many of the peony seed pods in the field are already opening, as I noticed while scouting them. Yikes! The noegay seed has already been dispersed. This is far earlier than the typical seed ripening in mid- to late August. The majority of seed is still in its developing stage (green pods), however keep an eye out to spot the pods beginning to open, at which point you can harvest your seed.
I place mine in a dish of water, toss the sinkers (presumably hollow or underdeveloped) and the floaters (red on P. mlokosewitschii) and plant the viable ones. Every peony variety that sets seed will have somewhat different colored viable seed, with colors ranging from tan to dark brown, blue-black, and black. Some will germinate the upcoming spring, while others will the spring after. Label the seed parent accurately (and the pollen parent if you hybridized it). You might develop the next, best peony plant with a little perseverance.
With our peony seed photo session this summer, it was a family affair. I picked a handmade ceramic vase to put a few pods in, and my niece Soraya took the gorgeous pictures.
Although I was aware that my sister Janet had created the vase in high school ceramics class in 1973, the fact that our photo session coincided with her birthday was purely coincidental (I never even made the connection until I was typing this). I know Janet likes being a part of my farm even though she has only seen it from above.
If deadheaded, will peonies blossom again?
Peonies do not blossom again if you deadhead them after they have bloomed. No matter what, these perennials only bloom once a year. Deadheading peonies does, however, enable the plant to concentrate on preserving energy for the growth of the following season as opposed to producing seeds.
How long does it take for peony seeds to sprout?
The seeds require a period of wet warmth for several weeks or months in order to germinate, and after a root has emerged, they require a period of cold for roughly 10 to 12 weeks.
Lindsay D’Aoust of Quebec offers comprehensive directions for starting these plants from seeds (link opens in a new browser window).
Of course, you may simply deadhead the plant after it blooms if you’re not interested in gathering seeds so it will focus its energy on the roots rather than seed production.
When should peony seeds be planted?
Planting peony seeds outdoors as soon as they are mature, or in late summer if you buy dried seed in the fall or winter, is the simplest way to ensure that they thrive and sprout. Although some will require a further year, some will start to grow in the spring after planting.
What should I do with peonies once they bloom?
After your peonies have finished performing for the year, some tender loving care will guarantee that they return even stronger the following year. Deadheading, or picking off faded flowers, helps the plant conserve energy for the blooms of the following year and guards against fungus diseases. Do not remove any foliage; only the spent blooms should be removed (the plant will need those leaves to help build up flowers for next year).
For herbaceous peonies, once a fall frost has died off the foliage, you can cut the entire plant to the ground. New growth will emerge from the roots in the spring. Trim the tree peony in the late spring. Remove any damaged wood immediately. Cut at an angle, just above buds that face outward.
Are peonies self-replicating plants?
No, peony won’t naturally grow more plants or spread out. One day you may realize that your peonies have grown rather large and have spread out quite a distance.
If you want to grow more peony plants in this situation, dividing them is your best option. This is the finest approach to propagate herbaceous peonies and a way that you may aid in it.
Peonies can’t actually be encouraged to grow or anything like that. Simply put, it’s better to hold off on taking any action until the peony plant has grown larger.
Dividing peony plants is the only way to produce more of them. Although this method isn’t inherently difficult, you’ll want to become familiar with it so that you can carry it out correctly.
To get more peony plants, read on to find out how to divide existing ones. This will enable you to plant peonies in several garden locations if you so want.
Does the peony self-sow?
This is a reasonable expectation given the number of annuals and perennials that root from cuttings.
What has the weather been like recently? Any unusual or late freezes?
You must first consider the weather.
Each kind reacts a little bit differently.
and are encircled by the stamens of the flower. Hybrids might be more active. It
Despite the thick and seemingly robust foliage, no buds or flowers have yet to emerge. How can we
what I recommend:
Maybe you or a member of the society could help me with a peony problem.
Every peony variety has a minor variation in behavior. A frost, a small climatic change
Peonies sometimes suffer from botrytis in several areas, particularly those with chilly, moist springs.
The burden on this type may just be too much for Asheville, which is too far south for many peony to be truly happy.
Move the plant, seems to be my overall response. Given that this is the lone plant present in this area and the sole
Following September 1st, do not attempt to move the plant. Fal-in your location. Dig up the entire plant and remove
truly only a handful often occurring causes of peony failing to bloom. Does your plant match this description?
Do you have a young plant? If the plant was established one or two years ago, it might not have accumulated enough energy.
Is it firmly rooted, and how deep? If the crown, which is where the buds are made, is larger than two
Do your peonies have fertilizer? Peonies cannot bloom for a long time in some really poor soils. Apply
ancestors’ farm. Only sporadic blooming has occurred. He expected a lot of blossoms. These flowers
What can we do to encourage the 40-year-old peony to produce more blooms? Springfield, IL: K&JL