Content
Peony Red Magic is a perennial popular among summer residents. He is easy to care for. Not only the buds, but also the leaves attract attention from the bush.
Description of Red Magic peony
Peony Red Magic has a faint aroma. The leaves are dark green and form a large openwork bush. It can reach a height of 80 cm and a width of 50 cm. The Red Magic peony is classified in the third winter hardiness zone. Able to withstand frosts down to -40°C. Tolerates drought well.
Throughout the season, the Red Magic peony looks decorative. Under natural conditions it grows in:
- Transbaikalia;
- European part of Russia;
- Siberia.
It prefers open sunny areas, but also does well in a little shade at midday. If planted in the shade, the bush will grow beautiful and tall, but there will be no flowering.
Red Magic Peony constantly needs good air circulation, otherwise various diseases will develop. It is not advisable to plant near shrubs, buildings and trees.
As a support, you can purchase a plastic ring with legs or an elegant pyramid consisting of a rod with rings arranged in several tiers.
Has a beautiful rich color
Features of flowering
There are lateral buds on the bush. Peony Red Magic is classified as a medium flowering plant.
Basic Description:
- milky-flowered;
- terry, sometimes pink;
- has large flowers;
- bud is spherical in shape.
Description of Red Magic peony petals:
- twisted;
- cold tone;
- feathery;
- dark red or cranberry to deep pink in color.
The size of the flowers grows from 15 to 25 cm. Flowering begins in the last ten days of May or early June. Duration is 7-20 days. The flowering is beautiful and abundant.
In order for the flower to grow as large as possible, one bud is left on the shoot. The excess is removed after they become 1 cm in diameter.
Application in design
Peony Red Magic is recommended for group and single plantings. It is planted in parks and gardens. Decorate the front seats. Looks beautiful as part of landscape compositions. Not suitable for home growing on balconies, loggias and in pots.
The Red Magic peony feels good next to:
- decorative foliage plants;
- flowering perennials.
Looks beautiful near the gazebo and paths. Best neighbors:
- phlox;
- clematis;
- rose.
Looks original in combination with:
- juniper;
- miniature mountain pine.
When cut, it retains its freshness and beauty for a long time.
The flower can grow up to 25 cm in diameter
Reproduction methods
Peony Red Magic is propagated by:
- dividing the bush is the most effective method;
- vegetative;
- using seeds - the method is used only for wild species.
In order to propagate by dividing the bush, choose a 4-year-old Red Magic peony, which has a well-developed rhizome. The procedure is carried out in the fall until the end of September.
The rhizome should not be dry
Landing rules
The most preferred planting time is autumn. The deadline is 30 days before the onset of frost. It can also be planted in the spring, but the Red Magic peony grows quickly, and therefore it is easy to miss planting time. The best time is immediately after the soil has thawed, when the water has subsided.
You should not purchase small and stunted cuttings, as they will not allow the formation of a healthy plant. But very large specimens are also not suitable. Especially those that have a large root system. The ideal weight of a planting unit is a minimum of 100 g and a maximum of 150 g. The best division consists of three roots and 3-5 buds.
Peony Red Magic does not tolerate stagnant moisture. If the bush is constantly flooded, the root system will rot or the plant will develop poorly. The soil should be:
- moisture-absorbing;
- with deep groundwater;
- breathable.
Loamy soil is ideal.
Three months before the intended planting, a hole is dug. Its size should be 60x60x60 cm. 2/3 should be filled with fertile soil, then add 1 liter of wood ash and cover with garden soil.
When planting, the buds are placed 4 cm below the ground level. A distance of at least 1 m is maintained between neighboring plants. If the peony looks weakened for two years, then there is no point in worrying - this is the norm. During this period, the root system is growing.
Before planting, the Red Magic peony is disinfected. To do this, use a saturated solution of potassium permanganate, and then sprinkle the cut with crushed coal.Varietal qualities after planting will appear two years later.
The best time to plant is autumn
Aftercare
The soil should be in a state of moderate moisture. Watering is especially important:
- in spring - during the period of budding and flowering;
- in the fall at the time of bud formation.
For one watering, 20 liters of water are used, since the root system is located in deep layers of soil that need to be thoroughly wetted.
After planting in the first month, frequent irrigation is carried out several times a week. Further, as needed. For Red Magic peony, less frequent but thorough watering is suitable. After the procedure, the soil must be loosened in the tree trunk circle.
The first few years are fed by foliar feeding, then during the growing season a mineral complex is used. Fertilize:
- in spring on snow;
- at the moment of budding;
- two weeks after flowering ends.
For foliar feeding of young peonies, a complex mineral soluble fertilizer is used. Spray it in the morning or evening hours. It is strictly prohibited to carry out the procedure during the day, as the leaves and buds will get burned from the sun's rays.
The tree trunk circle is very important for the Red Magic peony, which is constantly kept clean and regularly loosened. Do not allow the formation of weeds and do not plant other plants. Experts recommend separating this area from the lawn using border tape. Concrete products and iron sheets cannot be used.
Watering is recommended to be done in the evening hours
Preparing for winter
When persistent frosts arrive, the stems must be cut off. This period begins around mid-October, in warmer regions - at the beginning of November. There should be stumps 2 cm high above the buds. During the winter, they should be covered with immature compost or peat. An adult Red Magic peony does not need shelter.
When young shoots begin to appear in the spring, the mulch must be removed and the soil carefully loosened. All cut above ground parts are disposed of. To do this, they send it to a compost pit or burn it.
Pests and diseases
Red Magic peony is most often affected by fungi. In more rare cases, viral diseases.
When rust appears, the leaves become covered with brown, red or orange spots-pads. These are fungal spores that are easily carried by the wind and transmitted to other plants. Therefore, at the first signs, it is necessary to cut off all affected leaves and burn them. After this, treat with Bordeaux mixture.
Leaves affected by rust
The most dangerous disease is gray rot. It affects not only the leaves, but also the buds, as well as the stem of the Red Magic peony. If in the spring young shoots begin to wither, a gray coating or brownish spots appear around the stem, then action must be taken immediately.
Diseased parts are completely cut off and destroyed. For prevention, the bush is treated with Bordeaux mixture, and during illness - with a “Thiram” suspension.
An adult Red Magic peony is affected by powdery mildew. The disease can be distinguished by a whitish coating on the leaves. It does not cause much harm to the plant. Treat by spraying with a 0.5% solution of soda and laundry soap.
Repeated treatment is carried out after 10 days
Red Magic peony needs to be given constant and close attention so that it does not suffer from pest invasion. Most often they are attacked by ants, who are attracted by the delicious sweetish syrup released from the buds. Together with him they eat foliage and flowers.
To combat the Red Magic peony, the soil is sprayed with repellents.
Often the crop suffers from aphids, which accumulate at the top of the shoot, around flowers and buds. In this way, insects drink juice from Red Magic peony. With numerous attacks, the bush quickly weakens.
For small quantities, good results are obtained by collecting pests manually or using strong water pressure. For large lesions, treat with Actellik.
A beetle with a yellow-golden back - the bronze beetle - eats the petals and stems of the Red Magic peony. It is especially dangerous in the summer. To prevent attacks, they loosen the soil at the end of the season, and in the mornings they collect insects by hand. During the budding period, they are sprayed with insecticides.
An infusion of tomato tops helps to cope with bronzing.
Conclusion
Red Magic Peony is a beautiful garden plant. When growing, it is necessary to take care of the bushes properly, preventing diseases. In this case, the inflorescences will be lush.
