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Perennials Garden Clinic garden

no growth from peony bulbs

2 months ago

Hello guys,
I m a new gardener and I have fell in love in peony and roses. I live in Chicago but I m still trying to stay motivated to grow these plantsZ
I just need advice about what to do in spring with peonies bulbs that I planted last year. I planted them not too deep and when it became really cold in Chicago I covered them with mulch. I just removed the mulch but I’m desperate to see if my bulbs are ok. Should I fertilize them with bone meal and wait for any thing to sprout. I m waiting for flowers but I’m hoping that I ll see something sprouting from the ground soon

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Comments (10)

mxk3 z5b_MI
2 months ago
It's still early. Be patient.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 months ago
Even in my very mild winter climate, peony foliage is only just now started to peek above ground. Would not expect to see that happening in the Chicago area until next month or so.

btw, peonies are not bulbs :-)
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Hina Maroof
Original Author
2 months ago
Haha thank you. After posting I realized. Don’t know the difference. But I hope in years to come I will know enough to grow them in my yard. ❤️
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 months ago
i would probably go put the mulch back for another month ...

and CHI is not much different than me .... i i would not be surprised to see them much before mid april.. or later.. depending on the whims of ma nature ...

dad had peony for 50 years.. and never once fert'ed them.. he fed his children..not the plants ...

ken
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 months ago
btw.. is your ground thawed??? .. even in the shade parts.. or the north of the house ???

remember.. day temps are irrelevant.. its all about night temps.. and soil temps.. when waiting for die to the ground plants to return in spring..

the soil has to warm.. down thru the whole root zone of the plant ...

so though you may think its a nice toasty day.. that doesnt mean the plant in cold mother earth agree...

this is why the first plants to bloom ..for us in the north .. is the spring ephemerals.. like crocus.. which should be only an inch or two down...

ken
functionthenlook
2 months ago
Yes, it is too early. Patience. I don't fuss over my peonies. I plop them in the ground and they grow.
Hina Maroof
Original Author
2 months ago
Hi guys I see a little growth sprouting, it just happened in a day. I’m more than static. Should I put mulch back on or just leave it
sah67 (zone 5b - NY)
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
Just leave it alone: Peonies don't need to be babied! :)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last month
put the mulch back.. to reduce mid summer weeds ...

i wonder if you planted them a bit deep ... the buds eyes should be just at soil surface...

ken
laceyvail 6A, WV
last month
If they're planted too deep, they'll grow but they won't flower.

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