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Peony Challenged-- try try again

16 years ago

I bought 1 peony bulb. I've bought a few in the past and have never had luck with them. This one says its guaranteed to grow if instructions are followed so I'm hoping I can't botch it.

My question is, it says "Dig hole to the required depth" but it doesn't say how deep it should be. I know you aren't supposed to bury them "too deep". What is the right depth? It is a Mme. Emile Debatene Peony if that matters. Thank you!

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Comments (10)

immatater
Original Author
16 years ago
Oops! I found it.. it says 1". Is that 1" from the top or bottom? LOL! The root piece is about 4" long.
daddysgrl529
16 years ago
Locate the eyes of your peony (they look like white buds) and make sure that the top of the eyes are facing upwards and are buried 1-2" below the soil (for your zone, 1" is probably best).

Eventhough the eyes only have to be 1" below the surface you should dig a hole at least 1'x1'x1' to loosen up the dirt and mix some fertilizer in.

Oh, & make sure you're planting it in a sunny spot!

Hope this helps :)
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calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
16 years ago
A bareroot peony the size of yours I would pot into a one gallon container until the fall when I would plant it in the garden. You will have a much better chance of success and will be able to properly prepare the garden location for the fall planting. Al
immatater
Original Author
16 years ago
I did put it into a 1 gallon container and I put the whole thing in a bay window with lots of sunlight. Its freezing here at the moment (although I'm sure that won't last long) so I didn't put it outside. I'll be happy to keep it potted until fall, then I can keep a close eye on it. Thank you! :)
User
16 years ago
Peonies really need a cold cycle. The cold cycle should be under 40F at the minimum. In a pot the need is to let the root become cool but not too cold and dried out. In your zone 8a you may have some freezing temperatures but not subzero ones. Try to put the pot outside on the cooler days.

Last year was an exception as far as temperatures. We had very low temperatures clear to the gulf coast at Easter which wiped out much of the bloom and in Spring dampness some of the plants died, more I believe from rot than from the frozen wet soil.
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
16 years ago
I have lots of peonies in one gallon pots outside through the coldest winters with no problems. Peonies are not house plants and in your zone winter temperatures should be fine. Al
immatater
Original Author
16 years ago
OK, I will put it outside tomorrow. In good news, its coming up green! I was so excited I went and bought a beautiful red bulb (Karl Rosenfield). I planted it today in its own 1 gallon pot. Thank you for the advice! I'll take pictures when they flower.
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
16 years ago
Part of growing peonies is the learning of the value of PATIENCE. Do not expect your peony to bloom this year or probably next year either. If you are starting out with a generous division it will some times bloom the first year, but should not be expected. Al
immatater
Original Author
16 years ago
I will wait. :) I'm just happy to see green! The others I planted never came up at all. This one has gone from nothing to about 1 foot tall since my first post! Thanks again!
tooslim
16 years ago
If they were bare root, it will probably be year 3 before you get flowers (unless the eyes you had were really large.) The biggest reason for peony failure is planting too deep (especially if you are in a not very cold zone). Mine are barely below soil surface, and I pull the mulch back in the winter so they get cold. Also helps to give them super phospate in early spring. And if you live in an area that has a wet springs, spray with fungicide when the shoots start to prevent botyris ...

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