Those who grow peonies know that they can do without transplanting for 10 years. However, those who want to propagate the bush should pay attention to recommendations on how to transplant peonies so that they bloom next year. Here's how to do it best.
Some recommendations
First of all, you need to choose the right time. The most favorable is considered the beginning of September and the end of August. However, much here depends on climatic conditions. So, in the southern part of our country, in dry and warm weather, it is worth replanting peonies before the beginning of October. However, experts do not advise doing this if there have already been frosts or rains. Cold soil can destroy the plant. It is better then to wait until spring, when the snow comes down and already then transplant peonies.
However, for propagation, experts do not advise planting peonies in the spring or engage in their reproduction. Many shrubs will begin to hurt, and are unlikely to bloom this year. Florists are advised to do the transplant at this time only with large pests or if the roots began to bite moles and mice. In late spring, for example, on the warm days of April and May, it is not recommended to grow peonies, since the heat can burn the young shoots of plants. New shoots have not yet appeared on the rhizomes. Therefore, it is worth waiting for the end of the hot period and then start the transplant. Most often, young shoots on the rhizomes appear in August. It is at the end of this month that a plant transplant is recommended.
In order to transplant peonies, pits should be prepared in 2 weeks. Depth should reach half a meter. The distance between the pits is a meter. The bottom is usually covered with sand or small pebbles. Then top with water several times, so that the soil is stable. You can use various fertilizers, especially if the rhizome is planted for the first time. Peonies are most fond of chernozem mixed with ash, sand, peat, manure and other components. Some gardeners add urea and copper sulfate. After this, all pits are filled with a mixture of fertilizers and mixed.
If you transplant finished peonies, then you need to trim the top, leaving the stems about the palm of your hand, then with a pitchfork (and not a shovel) you need to carefully remove them and put them in the pits. You should not use a shovel for this purpose, since it can destroy the plant, especially if it is more than 8 years old. At this time, the root system becomes very sensitive and weaker.
The roots need to be dug very carefully. If there is even a small obstacle, the distance from the stems increases. When a plant is dug up, inspect its root system. If there is rotting and damage, remove them. Then the damaged areas must be specially treated with potassium permanganate. You can even treat the entire root system with a weak solution of slightly pinkish manganese. Disinfection will not interfere with the plant and destroy pests and various infections.
If you began to transplant peonies in the spring, then manganese treatment should not be done. In spring, you need to examine the rhizome. If there are 6 or more shoots on it, the plant is suitable for propagation and transplantation. From it you can form 2 or more independent peony bushes. On each root new should be 3 kidneys. Then it is more likely that the plant will accept and will delight you with new beautiful peonies. If there is rot on the cut, it must be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate.
When you planted the plant in a pit, you need to have the bud at a depth of 3 centimeters.If a plant is planted higher, it may freeze, lower - will not be accepted. Now you can gently fill it with earth, often water it and wait for the first shoots of the plant to appear in spring.
Also pay attention to the characteristics of the plant, if you buy it in a store. Typically, on the packaging, the manufacturer writes information on how to transplant a peony, the characteristics of the variety, care and cultivation. The most resistant are considered cold-resistant varieties with high immunity against frost. However, this does not mean that this kind of peony can be planted in late autumn or early spring, until the soil is frozen. Despite the fact that peonies are considered unpretentious plants, their roots are very delicate, easily susceptible to various injuries, diseases and pests. Therefore, any damage, even minor, must be treated with potassium permanganate. Then the plant will be strong. If during the transplant you accidentally damaged the root, you also need to carefully process it and often water the plant. Typically, the soil for peonies is well fertilized and after planting with hands compacted. Then the peony will be accepted, and in the spring it will delight with fresh shoots. Also, do not plant it too deep, deeper than 5 centimeters in the pit - the plant will most likely not bloom. Well, if the roots are healthy and you did everything right, you can wait for the appearance of peonies in the spring.
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