When to transplant peonies - in spring or autumn and how to do it right

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Peonies are perennial flowering plants that do not require regular replanting. But in order to maintain their attractiveness and ensure stable flowering, they must be moved to another place every few years. To do everything right, it is important to carefully study when to transplant peonies - in spring or autumn, what fertilizers to use, to know other nuances of planting.

Why transplant peonies

If you do not change the place of the peonies, then flowering may gradually stop, and the plant will turn into an ordinary wild-growing bush. The transplant will help preserve the varietal qualities of the flower and provide all its shoots with good nutrition.

If you do not carry out this procedure at least once every 5 years, then even various fertilizers will not help to preserve the original appearance. In addition, transplanting helps to divide the shoots of the old bush into several parts.

Sometimes you can transplant a plant earlier if you want to change the landscape design. In this case, in order not to damage the flower, you can transplant it in the spring, immediately after the snow melts.

Peonies are very delicate plants with fragile stems and a deep root system, therefore, you must carefully study all the rules before transplanting. Otherwise, the restoration of the flower can be very delayed, due to which flowering may not occur for several years.

Interesting! When to transplant dracaena at home

When is it better - in spring or autumn

To find out in which month it is best to transplant peonies, information about the characteristics of their root system will help. It consists of different types of roots:

1. Central, the most massive, responsible for the safety of the plant in the winter. It is in it that most of the plant nutrients are stored.
2. Thin processes of light color, extending from the central root. Their formation occurs only in the fall. It is on these roots that buds appear, from which new shoots grow over time.
3. Suction roots that look like a thin cobweb. They are responsible for plant nutrition. It is through them that it receives moisture and nutrients. In order not to damage them during transplantation, it is important to make a very voluminous hole.

In order to choose the right time of year for transplanting peonies, and to find out when to transplant peonies - in spring or autumn, it is necessary to study the duration and peculiarities of their adaptation.

Interesting! When to dig up lilies after flowering and when to plant

Transplanting this plant in spring can have an extremely negative effect on its condition, and in the subsequent winter period even lead to death. This is due to the fact that after hibernation, the bushes begin to actively build up suction roots, which are easy to damage during transplantation. The plant will no longer receive adequate nutrition, since the substances in the central root will not be enough.

If a spring transplant is necessary, this should be done immediately after the snow melts, before the plant “wakes up”.

The optimal period for changing the place of peonies is autumn. During this period, the plant is already blooming, new roots are not forming, the entire root system is ready to calmly endure the winter cold. The supply of nutrients is sufficient for quick adaptation after transplantation. It usually takes no more than 30-45 days.

Which month to choose for a plant transplant depends on the region:

• in the south - until mid-October;
• in the middle lane - September;
• in the northern regions - mid-August.

Experienced flower growers advise, regardless of the region, to complete the transplant before the end of September. It is during this period that the plant begins to grow roots, in which all the nutrients necessary for a safe wintering are stored. The rhizomes become more voluminous and dense.

Experts strongly do not recommend transplanting peonies in the summer, since this is a period of active flowering and the accumulation of nutrients by the plant.

How to transplant peonies correctly

If you follow all the recommendations of experts and the rules for transplanting peonies, then the adaptation will take place quickly, and they will delight you with their beautiful buds for a long time.

How to transplant correctly - a step-by-step algorithm:

1. Cut the stems of the bush to a height of 10-30 cm.
2. Dig in the bush, stepping back from the rhizome at least 15-25 cm. For this, it is best to use a pitchfork, since you can accidentally damage the roots with a shovel. It is strictly forbidden to pull the plant by the stem, as it is very fragile and can break off.
3. Rinse the rhizome thoroughly with running water. This will help detect large renewal buds that are ready for the development of a new stem. There are also small "dormant" buds, which are able to give a new shoot only after a few years.
4. Keep the seedling in a shaded place for at least 2-3 hours. This will make its rhizome stronger.
5. Remove rotten, old, broken off roots. Treat all fractures with brilliant green or sprinkle with powdered charcoal.
6. If the plant has many roots that show signs of decay, a disinfection procedure must be performed. To do this, use the drug "Maxim" or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The holding time is 15-30 minutes.
7. Trim roots that are too long and process the cut points as described in point 5.
8. When dividing the plant, make sure that on each part there are 3-5 thick roots and the same number of large buds.
9. Prepare in advance a new hole 50-70 cm deep. Apply fertilizers (superphosphate 100 g and humus) to it, then cover it with loose soil up to about half.
10. If the soil at the planting site is too wet, then pebbles or coarse sand are poured onto the bottom of the hole (before fertilizing) to a height of 10-15 cm. This is done to prevent stagnation of water in the soil.
11. After completing all the above steps, it is good to shed the earth in the hole.
12. Place the seedling in the hole so that the buds are 3-5 cm below the surface.
13. Cover the roots with earth.
14. Add. Repeat the last 2 steps as many times as necessary to the required level.
15. For the winter, it is necessary to insulate the roots of new seedlings with any available covering material or mulch.

Interesting! When to dig dahlias in the fall and how to store them

It is strictly forbidden to tamp or trample the ground near the location of the root when transplanting, as this increases the risk of damage.

Follow-up care

After transplanting, the young plant will need careful care, which will help it adapt faster and accelerate the onset of flowering. It includes:

1. Watering. In the fall, immediately after moving the peony to a new place, it will need to be watered no more than three times. In rainy weather, you do not need to do this at all. In the spring, during the period of active growth of the plant, it will need to be watered more often.
2. Loosening. This agrotechnical procedure will protect the plants from waterlogging, which can lead to decay of the roots.
3. Weeding. An obligatory procedure, since weeds can deprive the peony of the necessary amount of nutrients that it receives from the soil.
4. Mulching. It will help protect against weeds and moisture evaporation during dry periods.
5. Prevention of damage by pests and diseases. For this, a young seedling is sprayed with special preparations. The number of treatments is written in the instructions for them.
6. Preparing for the winter period. To prevent the roots from freezing, before the snow falls, they are sprinkled with spruce branches, sawdust or peat. The height of the layer should be from 15 cm. In the spring, after the snow melts, the covering layer should be removed. Otherwise, the rhizome may begin to rot, which will provoke the onset of the decay process.

With improper care, the peony may stop flowering. Also, the following errors can lead to this:

1. The seedling is divided incorrectly (lack or insufficient number of large buds on the sprout).
2. Too young, immature bush was used for transplantation.
3. The hole was too shallow, which led to the freezing of the rhizome.
4. Growth buds are too deep underground (more than 5 cm).
5. The wrong place on the site was chosen.
6. The plant is not provided with enough nutrients and moisture.

The first flowers appear in young seedlings the next year after transplantation. But experienced florists advise to remove them. This will help to build up enough nutrients and build strength. In the second year, you can leave 1 bud on the bush. If these recommendations are followed, full flowering will occur in the third year after transplantation.

Outcomes

Novice flower growers are able to make unforgivable mistakes when separating and replanting peonies, which can lead to their death. A careful study of all the recommendations from specialists will help you get a healthy plant that delights with lush beautiful buds.