Peonies: cultivation of the most delicate flowers

Peonies, the cultivation of which brings only pleasure, is very fond of gardeners. They are popular all over the world plants. Their beauty, wonderful aroma and unpretentiousness attract almost everyone. A surprising fact, but peonies can grow in one place for a hundred years! The only drawback is that they quickly fade. Did not have time to admire the beauty, and the petals have fallen ...

The genus of herbaceous perennial plants of the family Lyutikovye are peonies. Cultivation of them began a long time ago. Most varieties (and there are about 45 thousand of them) come from a lactiferous peony, called the Chinese peony. All of them are divided into terry, semimark and simple. Their flowers are large - up to 20 cm in diameter, regular, bisexual, have a pleasant delicate aroma. Leaves are regular, large, twice- or thrice-tipped.

Plant peonies in early September (possible in late August), so that they have time to take root for the winter. Blossom in May-June. They grow well on loamy, loose soils. It is desirable that the site was sunny and without groundwater (from them the peonies perish). The roots penetrate very deeply into the ground, so the pit for planting needs a deep - up to 70 cm. The distance between the bushes is one meter. The earth needs to be mixed with a humus bucket, 100 grams of lime and 500 grams of ash. The bottom of the pit is laid with manure of 10 cm, then it is covered with earth (ball up to 20 cm) and compacted. Further prepared land is poured with a mound and gently poured with plain water from a watering can. Thus, the earth is compacted well. In the middle of this mound put the bush so that the kidneys are directly at the level of the top of the pit. Then the roots are covered with earth. Then the bush should be watered abundantly. It is very important that after planting the kidneys are not lower than the edges of the pit, because with too deep planting, they can not long please with their flowers or not at all bloom.

Peonies must be hidden for the winter. Cultivation and care of them still require attention. Therefore, in the cold season, it is better to cover them with dry leaves or lapnik (layer up to 30 cm). In spring, the cover is carefully removed, and when the first shoots are introduced, fertilization is carried out with a solution of bird droppings or mullein. The second fertilizing - with the formation of buds, the third - after bloom.

Watering is very important for peonies. Therefore, until the fall, they should be abundantly supplied with water, after which a little loosened (5-7 cm).

To multiply the peonies, growing them in large numbers begins with dividing into parts. Do this every 5-8 years. In August, the bushes deeply dig out no closer than 50 cm from the center, raise them gently with garden forks or a shovel and take them out. Then, with water from the roots, the earth is washed off, the diseased are removed and the bush is separated. Sharing is better with a knife with a sharp end and a solid blade. On each of the parts leave 4-5 stems with roots and kidneys. Cuts must be sprinkled with wood pounded charcoal. In pre-prepared holes put these new bushes.

Peonies, the cultivation of which is not that difficult, multiply by seeds. They are sown on a bed after harvesting, preferably immediately. Next year they will ascend, but will bloom for the fourth or fifth year.

The cultivation of tree-like peonies is popular . These are frost-resistant shrubs, hibernating without shelter. They are unpretentious and resistant to disease. Decorative due to unusual forms of flowers and leaves.