How to properly prepare peonies for winter, pruning, covering and processing

Proper preparation of peonies for the beginning of winter is of great importance. This crop is vulnerable to low temperatures. Therefore, it must be covered. Before this, high-quality pruning is carried out, which will help avoid rotting of the stems and leaves. Timely application of fertilizers is also important. In order for the plant to easily endure even the most severe frosts, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of experienced gardeners.

Trimming

This procedure is important when preparing peonies for frost. It has features that should definitely be taken into account.

Deadlines

After flowering, it is recommended to cut off only fading buds. At the same time, the leaves continue to perform decorative functions. Until the coldest weather, the development of the roots of the culture continues. Thanks to photosynthesis, which actively occurs in the leaves, this process is activated.

Therefore, it is recommended to cut greens only after the natural cessation of development of the root system. It is better to do this after the first frost, which leads to leaf fall.

If there is a need for earlier pruning, it is recommended to leave a few leaves on the stem. This will ensure complete absorption of useful elements and continuation of the photosynthesis process. Depending on weather conditions, pruning is carried out in September-October.

How to trim

To properly cut off excess, it is recommended to take into account the type of peony and the objectives of the procedure.

Regular

Pruning of drooping stems is carried out “to zero”. Leave 2-3 centimeters above the ground surface. The cut fragments are removed from the garden bed and burned. This will help cope with fungal microorganisms, diseases and harmful insects.

Tree-like

The stems of this type of peonies do not die off. Their leaves are just falling. In warm regions, this plant variety tolerates winter well without shelter. However, young crops need to be covered with film or matting. Pruning such peonies has characteristic features.

Formative

In this case, flower buds are laid on skeletal branches.Therefore, it is recommended to shorten them to the desired length. However, it is recommended to prune the tree peony in the spring.

To rejuvenate the bush

This procedure is carried out every 10 years. It helps renew the shoots. It is not recommended to leave stumps larger than 5 centimeters. They will not help you survive the winter better. With such cutting there is a risk of slowing down the development of the peony.

Autumn feeding

In order for the peony to survive the winter well and develop better in the spring, fertilizers must be applied in the fall.

Time

Peonies respond well to fertilization. Therefore, autumn feeding is important. It is recommended to carry out the procedure in September or the first half of October.

The root system of peonies has characteristic features. In some places there are thickenings in which useful elements accumulate. The roots of the plant continue to develop in the first half of autumn. That’s why additional feeding is so important during this period.

Goals

Timely application of fertilizers allows you to solve the following problems:

• get strong and large buds on the stems;
• make the flowering of bushes more active;
• increase the size of the flowers and make their shade more saturated;
• strengthen the root system and increase its resistance to frost;
• make the bushes stronger and more powerful.

Compound

To get a strong plant, you should use mineral fertilizers. Preparations containing phosphorus and potassium are especially useful for peonies. However, it is not recommended to use nitrogen-based products.

Methods

There are several methods of fertilizing. Fertilizer can be used in powder or solution form.

Dry

Granular fertilizers should be used in rainy weather. They gradually decompose in the soil and penetrate the root system.It is recommended to scatter dry fertilizers in the crop circle and embed them a little into the soil.

For peonies, it is recommended to use 15-20 grams of phosphorus and 10-15 grams of potassium. Before applying fertilizing, the plant should be watered well. When spreading fertilizers, it is important to ensure that they do not touch the neck of the crop.

Liquid

In dry weather, it is recommended to mix fertilizers with water. The resulting solution is watered over the roots of the plant. For each bush, 1 liter of product is enough. To get useful fertilizer, take a fertilizing tablet onto a bucket of water.

How to cover

To avoid freezing of peonies in winter, they should definitely be covered. This is especially true for frosty regions with little snow. Peony growth buds are located at a depth of 5-6 centimeters. Therefore, trimmed bushes need to be hilled.

Mulch is placed on top. Its layer should be at least 15 centimeters. You can mulch the plant using dry leaves, compost, and peat. Fir branches and compost are also great. Additionally, you can cover the peonies with a layer of snow. It will protect the plant from the cold in severe frosts.

It is strictly forbidden to use cut peony leaves for covering. They attract pests and bacterial microorganisms.

Features of wintering tree peony

On the European territory of the Russian Federation, tree peonies do not need to be covered. They cope well with the winter without it. However, neglecting this procedure is only allowed in quiet places where there is no strong wind.

Young plants must be covered. To do this, use a layer of peat up to 20 centimeters. After processing, an inverted bucket should be placed on top of the crop.

Regional differences

The wintering characteristics of the crop directly depend on the climatic characteristics of a particular region.

Siberia

This region is characterized by a sharply continental climate with long winters and severe frosts. Therefore, peonies must be covered. Boxes or crates should be placed on top of the mulch. You can also make a kind of hut from fir branches.

Ural

The Urals are also characterized by severe frosts and sudden temperature changes. Therefore, peonies need the same shelter as in Siberia.

Volga region

This region is characterized by a temperate continental climate. Therefore, for peonies, it is recommended to make a mound from any mulch material. This measure will help protect the plant from exposure to low temperatures.

Middle lane

In the Moscow region and Leningrad region, frosts begin after October 20. At this point, be sure to cut off the above-ground parts of the plants. Temperature fluctuations characteristic of this region require shelter for the crop. To do this, you can use dry peat, spruce branches, and jute bags.

Typical fall care mistakes

A common mistake made by novice gardeners is neglecting autumn pruning. As a result, the plant is greatly weakened and more often becomes infected with infectious diseases.

Pruning too early

If the stems and leaves are cut off early, this will lead to a significant weakening of the crop. As a result, the root system cannot fully develop.

Do not remove withered leaves in the fall

After pruning peonies, it is prohibited to use their leaves to cover the crop. As a result, pests and bacteria will survive the winter and become stronger, which will lead to damage to the crop.

Lack of feeding

If mineral fertilizers are not applied on time, the crop will not be able to fully develop.A common mistake is also the use of liquid fertilizers during rains. They cannot be fully absorbed by plants.

Wrong cover

If the plant is not covered correctly, it may not survive frost. As a result, the culture will simply die.

A few words about digging

It is worth digging up the roots of the plant taking into account climatic conditions. In some cases, this can be successfully done in early October. However, it is better to complete the work by mid-September. Before starting the procedure, it is recommended to trim the leaves from the crop. After which the plant is dug in at a distance of 25 centimeters.

To safely extract the roots, you need to immerse the shovel as deep as possible into the soil, and then carefully lift the plant. Then the peony should be cleared of lumps of earth, the roots should be washed under a hose and the division process should begin..

To begin with, it is recommended to carefully examine the condition of the roots. Affected fragments should be removed. The remaining elements can be saved. It is recommended to separate the young root from the main rhizome. To do this, you can use a small hatchet or pruning shears. The cut area should be rubbed with coal. This will help prevent the development of fungal diseases.

During root storage, it is important to maintain optimal temperature. It should be 2-4 degrees. You can keep the roots in wooden boxes. They are placed in the basement or on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Planting material should be covered with ash and sawdust.

In some cases, the buds begin to swell in winter. At the same time, small suction roots appear below. It is not recommended to store them further. The peony should be placed in a pot filled with moist soil and stored in a cool place. In spring, the plant can be transplanted to the site.

Preparing crops for winter is a responsible process. The readiness of the plant for the next season depends on the correctness of the procedures. Therefore, experts advise to carefully study the recommendations and strictly adhere to them.