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Very often, gardeners propagate peonies by cuttings. This is a simple way to get new shoots at the end of the season. Propagation of tree peony by cuttings does not always give the expected results. In addition, there are simpler methods of propagation, for example, dividing the bush. To choose the optimal method of reproduction, you need to familiarize yourself with each of them.
Methods for propagating tree peony
Tree peonies are propagated by seeds and vegetatively:
- dividing the bush;
- cuttings;
- layering;
- vaccinations.
Vegetative propagation methods guarantee an exact copy (clone) of the mother plant. Dividing the bush is considered the simplest - you need to cut the rhizome with a knife and plant the divisions in a new place.A more complex method is propagation by seeds. In this case, the “children” may develop new signs. Some gardeners like to experiment, which allows them to diversify their flower garden.
Tree peonies can be propagated in any suitable way.
Rules for propagating tree peony by seeds
Propagation by seeds is considered the most labor-intensive method, since it consists of several stages - it is necessary to collect and prepare planting material, process it and plant it. However, all these processes can be carried out at home.
When to plant tree peony seeds
The fruits of the tree peony are small seed pods that appear in mid-August.
The collection of seed material begins at the end of September, during this period the boxes begin to open
First, the seeds should be dried for several days, and they can be planted in early October (in Siberia and the Urals the dates are shifted to mid-September).
Selection of containers and soil preparation
Seeds of tree peonies are grown in open ground, but this can also be done at home, followed by transfer to open ground. Any containers for seedlings, small cups or pots will do.
The soil must be fertile and loose. You can purchase a special composition for seedlings or mix garden soil (1 part) with humus (1 part), add peat (2 parts) and sand (1/2 part).
How to plant tree peony seeds
Tree peony seeds can be sown both in open ground and in small containers. In the first case, they are transplanted into fertile soil to a shallow depth of up to 3 cm.It is best to take a wooden box, dig it down and bury the seeds in it. The soil is dug up and moistened in advance. For the winter, seedlings must be mulched. In March, the box can be kept at home for several weeks, and in April it can be taken out into the open ground again. Shoots will appear this spring.
When propagated at home, the seeds are first sprinkled with damp peat and stored at room temperature until early February. At this moment they are transferred to the refrigerator, on a shelf with vegetables (temperature 5-8°C) and kept there until mid-May. Then they are sown in open ground to a depth of 5 cm. The first shoots will appear in the same summer.
How to grow tree peony from seeds
Special care should be taken for emerging sprouts:
- provide stable hydration;
- feed 2-3 times (nitrogen in spring, superphosphate and potassium salt in summer);
- for the winter, mulch with peat, dry leaves, and cover with spruce branches.
After wintering, tree peonies can be transplanted to a permanent location.
Tree peony cuttings
Cuttings are one of the most accessible methods of propagating tree peony. It is advisable to harvest cuttings from those bushes that are 4-5 years old.
Timing for propagation of tree peony by cuttings
You can prepare cuttings for propagating tree peony at the very beginning of summer. If the deadline has passed, it is better to wait until the next season or divide the bush, otherwise the cuttings will not have time to grow and take root in the open ground.
Cutting and preparing planting material
To obtain a cutting, take a sharp knife and disinfect the blade. Several cuttings are cut from the middle part of the branches.Each of them must have at least 2 internodes. Make the top cut 1-2 cm above the last leaf.
The lower oblique cut is made directly under the base of the leaf
Keep the cuttings in a root growth stimulator solution for 3-4 hours.
Rooting tree peony cuttings
For rooting, it is necessary to prepare a soil mixture from the following components:
- turf soil - 1 part;
- humus – 1 part;
- sand – 0.5 parts.
You only need to mix the soil with humus - they are poured directly onto the open ground (in a small hole) and moistened. Sand is added on top with a layer of 5-6 cm and watered again.
Planting cuttings
The cuttings are planted in the resulting mixture at an angle of 45°. Then they are covered with film, they are grown for a month, periodically airing. At the end of August the film is finally removed. In September, sprouted tree peony cuttings are mulched with peat, straw or spruce branches. After 2-3 years they can be transplanted to a permanent place.
Reproduction of tree peony by layering
To obtain layering from a tree peony, choose relatively young bushes aged 3-4 years or older. Reproduction begins in May (in the southern regions - at the end of April), and the process ends in early September.
Sequencing:
- Choose a powerful bush with developed lower shoots.
- One of the branches is carefully bent to the ground and secured with pins, wire or other available means.
- Sprinkle with soil. The branch should be under the soil layer.
- Water along the shoot.
In the future, there is no need to specially care for this branch, since it will receive the necessary nutrients from the mother bush. It is advisable to additionally water and mulch the soil so that it retains moisture longer.
By the beginning of September, the shoot will take root in several places, i.e. This method of propagating a tree peony guarantees the appearance of at least two layerings. They are carefully separated using a sharp knife, the cut points are sprinkled with charcoal, and then planted in a permanent or temporary area.
Full-fledged bushes from cuttings will grow in 3-4 years
Propagation of tree peony by dividing the bush
Propagation of tree peony by dividing the bush is considered the simplest and at the same time effective method, ensuring almost 100% survival rate of the divisions. The procedure is recommended only for adult plants that are at least five years old. It is better to start propagation in early September, i.e. at least 1 month before the onset of the first frosts on the soil.
Before propagating the tree peony, you need to prepare the tools - sharpen the shovel and disinfect the knife blade in potassium permanganate or an alcohol-containing solution.
If the bush has grown greatly, all lower shoots are shortened with pruning shears by 1/3 or half so that they do not break during propagation. Use a shovel to cut out the soil around the peony and dig up the bush. Remove the soil by hand and wash it off with water so that the rhizomes can be clearly seen.
Using a knife, divide the rhizome.
Each division should have 2-3 healthy shoots
The sections are sprinkled with ash, charcoal or a weak solution of potassium permanganate (concentration 1-2%). The bush is returned to its place. It can be additionally watered, but it cannot be fed - at the beginning of September, the tree peony is already preparing for the winter period.
If possible, it is better to soak each section of tree peony for 30-40 minutes in a mixture of clay and water.Then plant at a distance of 40-50 cm or more (depending on the characteristics of the variety).
The cuttings are planted in pre-prepared holes, and the root collar should remain 3-4 cm above the surface. A mixture of humus and garden soil can be added to the planting hole in equal quantities, then watered abundantly.
How to propagate a tree peony by grafting
As a rule, propagation by grafting is used if other methods (dividing the bush, cuttings or obtaining layering) have failed. Tree peony is grafted onto shoots of any herbaceous variety. It is better to reproduce in late May - early June.
Many gardeners believe that propagating tree peonies by grafting is a very complicated process, although in fact the procedure is not difficult. The procedure is carried out as follows:
- Take the top shoot from the peony (not the peduncle, but an ordinary branch) and make a cut so that 3-4 buds remain. It must be done at an acute angle so that the surface area is large enough. It is advisable to do it in one sharp movement. The result will be a scion - a branch that will be grafted onto an adult bush (rootstock) for further growth. Cut shoots can be placed on a clean cloth or in a bag.
- It is necessary to treat the rootstock - this is the middle part of the stem with one leaf and a well-developed bud. A straight cut is made, and then a cleft is made, the parameters of which are adjusted to the scion.
- The next step is to insert the scion into the crevice of the rootstock.
- The structure must be secured with grafting tape, which can be purchased at a specialized store.
- The next stage of tree peony propagation is immersing the rootstock in a solution of “Epin”, “Kornevin” or another root growth stimulator for several hours.Then rooting is carried out in fertile soil (you can choose any container).
- Water generously, and if excess moisture remains, remove it with a cloth or napkin. Cover with a dark cap and keep at room temperature until the scion fuses with the rootstock.
- The last stage of propagation is transplanting the tree peony to a permanent place. This must be done exactly in a year. During this time, the cuttings are grown at home as a regular houseplant.
Planting care
Caring for tree peony plantings is not difficult.
- seedlings are regularly watered or moistened with a spray bottle so that the soil remains consistently moist;
- at the end of summer, superphosphate and potassium salt are added - this mixture will allow you to successfully survive the winter;
- cover with spruce branches, peat or improvised materials;
Conclusion
Propagation of tree peony by cuttings is an effective, but not the only way to propagate a plant. In practice, gardeners often prefer to divide an adult mother bush because it is faster and easier. You can prepare cuttings or bend the lower branches to the ground to obtain layering.
