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Sick Peonies

15 years ago

My peonies (6 years old, full sun, unknown cultivar given to me by a friend) came up out of the ground as usual this year. They formed few buds and had a total of only 3 flowers. They are fairly covered with a white substance that looks like powdery mildew.

What is the appropriate thing to do? Cut them to the ground now? Spray them with fungicide?

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
15 years ago
It may be too advanced to help but I would spray now with Neem or Ultrafine horticultural oil. When the plant dies back in the fall I would remove all plant material to the garbage and spray the ground well with Bordeaux mix. In the spring when the growth first starts I would do the Bordeaux again. Al
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
15 years ago
Have they had more blooms than that in the 6 years they have been planted? Besides what calistoga suggested above, might they need to be lifted and planted a little more shallow?

Sue
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That's sad. You have every right to be mad and I hope you said something to him. If the plants are ruined he needs to replace them. Unfortunately there's nothing you can do about the peony buds. Mine are about to bloom and though they have a short bloom they're really showy and I love them. Last year I sowed wild flower seeds in front of a fence and they were just sprouting when the guy with the weed wacker cut them all down. This year I ws them then put up cheap plastic fence in front of them so he knew something was there. Caryl
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It doesnt look sick, only thirsty. Can you give it more water as well as more sun? Al
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I am not a peony expert, but here is a link that 'may' help you a little. How long have you had the plant? Have the number of blooms decreased over the years? Is it still fairly young?? Did you recently transplant it? Stuff like that may help one of the experts tell you whats going on with it. Here is a link that might be useful: peony diseases
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To me it looks like they are ravished by powdery mildew. I would dig them and get them out of the garden before you have the problem with a lot more of your plants. I don't think they can be saved but if you want to try I would put them in 'isolation' away from other 'patients'. Al
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mary_md7
Original Author
15 years ago
They have had dozens of flowers in the past several years, so the appearance of only three is a major change.

If I wait til fall to cut them back, will they infect nearby plants? Would it be better to cut them back now?
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
15 years ago
Your peony will survive if cut back now, and to prevent the spread of powdery mildew to other susceptible plants nearby that might be a good idea. Care should be taken to bag the mildewed plant material carefully to contain the spores. Now I would spray the cut back plant and the ground generously with a fungicide. Al

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