Peony help!
Hello everybody. I am new to this forum and very new to gardening so please be gentle with me ????.
I have a Peony that was given to me as a cutting in a container. My question is simply what should I do with it? I would like to plant it in the ground but not sure if it should be left as is to establish itself more. It is also quite leafy. I have read that you should cut stems off to allow the energy to go back into the root? I don't know what to do for the best. ????. Picture below. Thank you all in advance 
Last edited: 15 August 2016 09:23:48
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You can safely move it into your garden and do not remove any of the leaves, they are making the food that goes back into the roots. Nature will let the leaves drop when it is the right time.
Thank you very much Ladybird4 for your reply. It has grown quite considerably since I first got it and I just don't want to risk killing it which I have done with several plants so far on my start to gardening!
Before you plant it out Judo. Dig your hole out to the same depth as the pot its in. Sprinkle bone meal in the bottom of the hole and some in to the soil you back fill with.
A word of caution when you take the peony out of the pot. if there are new shoots developing out of the top of root ball..Leave only a 1" or just over a covering of soil.The reason is if you plant them to deep they won't flower.
In early October put a dry multch around the base. But not right up to the stems wood chip is fine. Next spring remove the woodchip. And top dress with bone meal. Repeat this regime every year. When it shows signs of growth buy a frame work to support the mature plant.
Judojub, Plant it in a spot where it will get plenty of sun later in the day, mine get sun from around ten in the morning until evening. Plant it so the the top of the soil in the pot is level with the ground in its new position, do not try to cover the root ball with more soil, that would set it back. When you dig the planting hole, back fill with fresh compost if you have any and some bone meal mixed in. Firm the root ball well with your boot but keep the level. Once planted and watered in, add more water if it does not rain for a couple of weeks then leave.
Do not cut off any leaves, I leave mine on over winter as they can provide a frost guard for the root ball, cut it back in Spring when you see the new shoots coming, the top dies off and new growth comes every year. In Spring I put a thick mulch of fresh compost around the root ball not on it, the roots spread so can get the goodness washed in to the ground around. You may find it will not flower for a year or so after moving they are a bit temperamental some of mine took seven years from cutting to flower, you could be lucky and get one flower. That plant looks well established it may take off though if it does not flower be patient.
This Board is made up of gentle people we all had to learn the hard way, all made mistakes it is part of gardening, never be afraid to ask, it is what we are here for.
Frank.
Thank you for your very helpful replies!!
I will certainly attempt to do everything you have all advised me to do! This will be my second attempt with a peony cutting. The first one, I attempted to plant and when I took it from its container the whole thing fell apart!! I panicked, planted it anyway and perhaps a miracle might happen who knows!
I have always just kept my garden 'tidy' but over recent months have been finding that it's very theraputic for me to get out there and potter. I don't think I will ever be a 'Monty Don' but perhaps I can eventually turn it into my little sanctuary.
Thanks again!!
Judojub, A good tip is always water the pot well a few hours before planting out, it will hold together.
Frank.
Ok. So I have put my peony in the ground.
Palaisglide - I did what you said and watered it in the pot before planting. Most of the soil still fell away though
i was left with a tube style root which I planted in with compost and plant food. I am just concerned that the stems seem so fragile and might not get through the winter!! Do you think it stands a chance??
Last edited: 19 August 2016 15:00:44
I know my soil isn't very good. I've been trying to mix compost in with it as I go
Do you know what sort of paeony that is judojub? It looks herbaceous rather than a tree paeony and if that's the case the stems won't survive through the winter, they die back every year to start again in spring. Don't worry when they do die back but don't keep watering it after that.
It should survive as long as you haven't planted it too deeply as previously suggested and you've loosened the soil around and mixed with the compost so that the roots don't come up against a barrier of hard soil. Keep it moist, don't water it every day and drown it. Should be good.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Hi nutcutlet. Unfortunately I am not sure which type it is. I didn't plant it too deeply ( I don't think) and I turned the soil around as best I could. I've given it a couple of ft ether side and around incase it does take to allow for root growth. I w be so pleased with myself if this takes off but I am by nature a glass half empty kind of gal so trying not to get my hopes up!!!