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Peony problems

FfoxgloveFfoxglove Posts: 538
in Problem solving
I rescued this peony from B&Q. Its grown some new leaves (it was just a tiny stalk when I bought it about 2 months ago) but not much else. Don't think I've potted it too deeply. Any suggestions? 

Posts

  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Water regularly, liquid feed once a week during the growing season, which will help it produce more flowers next year.  Choose your planting site carefully, so the crown gets full sun, and isn't shaded by other plants.  Do not plant the crown more than one inch below the soil, that part is very critical.  What variety is it?
  • EricaheatherEricaheather Posts: 204
    It has took 3 years for our peony to bed in and flower. First blooms this year. And just 3 of them...and battered by all this rain 😪
  • FfoxgloveFfoxglove Posts: 538
    Hiya both thanks for the advice. Because it was in the b&q bargain bin I've no idea on the colour or variety! It's in sun for sure and I've kept it watered. Probably I should feed it more though.
    Do you think there's a chance it will flower this year or would it have started by now? 
  • EricaheatherEricaheather Posts: 204
    I'm no expert at all, so hopefully someone may be able to correct me or back me up, but from what I've researched (and now experienced) peony can take 2 to 3 years to establish themselves and do not like to be moved. If you're leaving it in a container, move it to a bigger one now. I think it would do better in the ground if you can. Mine is in a raised bed. And I've recently bought another (Poundland would you believe!) Which is thriving in another raised bed. I'm not expecting a flower this year nor even next. I'm guilty of not feeding mine enough so maybe that's why it's taken the full 3 years to establish instead of 2. But I love them and as far as I'm concerned well worth the wait :) 
  • EricaheatherEricaheather Posts: 204
    Orchidia said:
    Ericaheather said:
    It has took 3 years for our peony to bed in and flower. First blooms this year. And just 3 of them...and battered by all this rain 😪
    I inherited a peony in a mature garden but have no idea when it was planted. It too, only had 3 blooms this year.
    Maybe it has something to do with the weather we have had? (Rather than my gardening skills but I'm not so sure haha! 😂)
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Too late in the season to get any flowers from now on...but look after it really well so it puts on lots of growth and make it ready to flower next year. They're such rewarding plants, they don't flower for too long...but when they do, nothing beats them.
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • FfoxgloveFfoxglove Posts: 538
    Thanks all! Will do. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Don't be tempted to keep feeding it. You'll only produce lots of soft growth, which is then more vulnerable to weather and pests.  A feed at the start of the season is adequate, or some slow release food if that's what you like using. Big, blousy plants like peonies are better grown 'harder', so that they produce stronger stems to support the large flower heads. 
    Pot on to a slightly bigger pot [if you're not putting it in the ground] and let it develop. It's a very immature plant at the moment, so it'll take a while to reach maturity and do it's thing properly. 
    It's a myth that they don't like being moved. Just make sure if you move it that the crown isn't buried too deep.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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