WHY PEONIES FAIL

Evening Star, Issue 23421, 11 November 1939, Page 6

WHY PEONIES FAIL

Many gardeners wonder why buds of peonies, after they have reached a certain stage of development, remain hard and finally wither away. The answer is undoubtedly lack of food. Peonies need a lot of nourishment, and it is necessary only to consider - their luxuriant foliage to realise that generous feeding must be the rule if the developing buds are to swell as they should. The necessary food is best applied as liquid manure; this should be given once a week after watering. Much can be done to help next year’s flowers by mulching peonies now. Manure, which is sometimes advised, has a tendency to cause drooping disease unless it is very old. Leafmould makes a better mulch. Spread a layer 3in thick round the plants as far as the leaves extend. Do not allow it to touch ' the stems of the plants, but leave a small ring of bare soil so that it is possible to apply the stimulants which will give health and vitality for the remain- ; tier of the season. Apply weak soot water once a fortnight with dilute liquid manure on alternate weeks throughout summer. Peonies must | 1 never be allowed to become dry, and clear water must be given in the mean- .1 time.

Do not allow seed pods to ripen when the blooms have faded or they will use up valuable energy which is needed by the crowns As soon as the flowers are over the seed pods should be cut off. The stem must be allowed to die back naturally, and the nourishment will then pass back to the crowns. As the olants ripen the foliage will gradually turn yellow, and when it is quite yellow dead leaves and growths can be removed.