Peonies can be pruned in September-October in the fall, when the plant has finished flowering, pruning branches and leaves is conducive to flowering again in the next year, and pruning at this time can also be pruned according to the ornamental needs to retain the number of flower buds and branches, so that the plant is more ornamental. So, when and how to prune my peony tree after the rockii tree peony has bloomed?
The following principles and methods should be followed when pruning peony tree branches of Paeonia x rockii after flowering in fall:
<principle of pruning peony tree>
- Principle of retaining flower buds: Flower bud differentiation of peony rockii usually occurs after flowering, so it is necessary to distinguish between flower buds and leaf buds. Flower buds are full and rounded, while leaf buds are relatively thin and pointed. When pruning, try to keep the flower buds as much as possible, to ensure the number of flowers in the next year.
- Principle of maintaining tree shape: rockii tree peony has a beautiful shape, so pruning should retain its natural tree shape. For example, for the clumped peony, it is necessary to ensure that the branches are evenly distributed, avoiding the situation of partial crown or being too dense or sparse.
- Remove the principle of disease and weakness: Cut off the diseased, dead and weak branches in time, these branches will not only affect the overall beauty of the plant but also may become the breeding place of pests and diseases, pruning can enhance the ventilation and light penetration of the plant and reduce the incidence of pests and diseases.
<specific methods of pruning peony tree>
- Remnant flower pruning: cut off the remnant flowers in time after flowering, from the flower below the first leaf roughly 1 – 2 cm, to avoid excessive consumption of nutrients in the process of fruiting of the remnant flowers, the nutrients are retained for the differentiation of flower buds and plant growth.
- Dead and diseased branches pruning: Check the plant carefully and cut off the branches that have dried out. For branches with pests and diseases, such as black spot and anthracnose, cut off all the branches from the bottom of the healthy part and clear the cut branches out of the planting area to prevent the spread of the disease.
- Dense branch pruning: If the branches are too dense, it will affect internal ventilation and light. Properly cut off some cross branches, overlapping branches, so that between the branches maintain a certain space, to ensure that the light can be evenly irradiated to the internal plant, to promote the differentiation of flower buds.
- Pruning: For overgrown branches, if the location is suitable, you can cut them short, retain 3 – 5 buds, and cultivate them into new flowering branches; if the location of the branches is not suitable, affecting the shape of the tree or the growth of other flowering branches, you can cut them off from the base.
- Fertilizing and watering: Peony plants after pruning need proper nutrition and water to promote new growth. Best fertilizer should be applied in time after pruning, choose the suitable fertilizer for peony growth and follow the package instructions. Meanwhile, pay attention to moderate watering, keep the soil moist but not too wet to promote new root growth and nutrient absorption.
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