PEONIES:
by
Susan S
+8
I vaguely remember reading something about needing to snip off the outer buds on a Peony stem so that the center flower would be larger. I'm betting Erica, Walter or Doug could enlighten me (and others) on this. My peonies are budding now so should I go ahead and "sacrifice" the outer buds so the center flower will be BIG???
2011 Peony
11 answers
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Gosh, I can't believe the HT gardners haven't chimed in on this!!! I'm really disappointed :~ (
Susan S
on Apr 18, 2012
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Hi Susan, don't worry--they probably didn't see it since you posted it as a "post" instead of a question. I converted it to a question for you so you should have some answers soon. I'd answer if I could. lol.
Miriam Illions
on Apr 18, 2012
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Susan, you can use a practice called dis-budding. You will want to keep the terminal flower bud, and then remove the side buds. This will allow the plant to use its energy to produce a larger terminal flower. I believe it also helps the flowers last longer, but I may be incorrect on that part. When doing this practice, you will definitely want to stake up or tie the flowers, as the weight may cause them to droop or break the stems. Better safe than sorry, so be sure to provide additional support.
Southern Trillium LLC
on Apr 18, 2012
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@Miriam - thank you once again "Mentor Mommy"!! Like I said, you always keep me outta trouble. LOL @Southern Trillium - thanks for re-inforcing what I thought was the right thing to do. Didn't know the middle flower was called the "terminal" one. Learned something today!! We do have a cage around the peonies - they definitely lop over w/their own weight. I just wish they lasted longer - plus one hard rain does them in after they've opened!! Makes me want to run out and put an umbrella over them!!
Susan S
on Apr 18, 2012
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Pleasure :)
Miriam Illions
on Apr 18, 2012
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A hard rain will do just that. We had over an inch of rain in Atlanta over the last 24 hours, and I think it has finished off the peonies in our bed.
Southern Trillium LLC
on Apr 18, 2012
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Susan, sorry I am just now seeing your post. Southern Trillium gives good advice. I would recommend a support (ring with squares) to hold your peony up so it won't flop over but will still be full. Looks beautiful. Enjoy.
Erica Glasener
on Apr 18, 2012
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I'm late to the chorus but I have always dis-budded my peonies. They're very poorly designed plants, actually, since they have stems that can't support the blooms they produce, but, oh, those blooms...
Douglas Hunt
on Apr 19, 2012
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@Douglas - yeah, the stems do seem a little spindly don't they??? Their fragrance is almost beyond description so maybe that makes up for what they lack in strength???? So, the technical term is "dis-budding" and the biggest flower is called the "terminal" - GOT IT!!! Again, a heart felt T/U to Southern Trillium, Erica & Doug for taking the time to educate me!! Gotta go do some serious dissing to pretect my terminals!!!
Susan S
on Apr 19, 2012
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My mom had a 15 ft. row of peonie bushes. They bloomed for years and always were beautiful.
Marsha Lepola
on Aug 11, 2015
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when can you separate them spring or fall
Bettypat
on Mar 14, 2016
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