Dividing and transferring peonies should be done with immense care, considering the right season, climate, soil, and weather conditions. Read ahead to find out ...
Peonies are herbaceous plants that blossom with colorful and attractive flowers. Native to Asia, North America, and Europe, they are mainly used in landscaping. The flowers are showy with the hues ranging from pink, red, yellow, purple, and white.
Transplanting is usually not recommended as the plant doesn't grow well when shifted from one place to another. It takes a lot of time to reestablish itself in the new environment. If you must, then there are certain techniques and procedures that must be followed while carrying out the process.
An Overview
Transplantation should be carried out when the plant has firmly established itself in the ground. Gardeners usually suggest to leave them undisturbed.
However, this is not always possible since peonies are ornamental varieties and they might need to be shifted to different places for adding facets to landscapes and gardens. They are also transferred if they are not receiving adequate amount of sunlight or if the temperature of the region is not supporting proper growth.
You need to consider the prevailing climatic conditions, the month, and the temperature before relocating them. First decide the location. Then prepare a soil bed for them. The soil should be well-drained having a smooth texture. The planting bed is prepared with a depth of 10-18 inches.
This plant prefers growing on soil that has been clumped and seasoned with organic matter, fertilizers, compost, and manure.
The dead parts like leaves, flowers or buds are removed and are then pruned before relocating. Pruning should be done only a few inches from above the ground so that the plants grow at a faster rate.
Now, gradually lift the roots from the ground by loosening the soil in that area. Do not apply too much pressure while uprooting. Let the soil be attached to the roots. Tie the roots of the plants to form a cluster. This will aid in transferring the peonies in a wheelbarrow.
The new place should have an exposure to direct sunlight and plants should be kept for at least 8 hours of light for proper growth.
The transplantation area should be free from other plant species. Dig holes in the soil for erecting the roots. The holes should have a diameter twice as that of the roots' girth. Plant the roots into the soil at a depth of maximum 2 inches. Planting low prevents flowering or delays flowering.
Now press the soil down on the roots and water the plants. This completes the establishment process. Prepare a mulch bed of about 1-2 inches thickness during the winter season and remove at the start of spring.
Dividing and transplanting peonies in spring is not recommended by florists and gardeners. This is because the plants start blooming during this time. The best time recommended for this process is during fall.
However, if there's an emergency to relocate the plants during summer or spring, then you must keep the roots thoroughly moist and ensure that flowers are chopped. After successful reestablishment, the plants will sparsely require any extra care.
The process of transplantation is almost similar to that of other plants. However, the basic characteristic of the plant is that it prefers surviving in the same place once it has got accustomed to the climatic conditions and temperature.