Increasing the number of peony bushes on a site is not so difficult, because this can be done in several ways at once. You will find out what these options are from the article.
Most often, peonies are propagated by dividing rhizomes or root cuttings. However, there are three lesser known methods: propagation by seeds, cuttings and vertical layering. But they are more labor intensive and require some experience.
Reproduction of peonies by dividing the bush
You can divide a peony bush from the age of five, but the optimal age is 6-7 years. Bushes are dug up in the fall. You need to choose a time so that the buds underground have already formed, but the growth of roots has not yet begun. This usually occurs in mid-August. Peonies divided later than the end of September do not take root well.
The rhizomes need to be washed off the ground and dried in a shady place for 4-6 hours. Using a knife and chisel, the bush is cut into sections. Each should have 3-5 buds. Small trimmings with 1-2 buds will also be useful; they can be grown in the school.
All parts of the plant obtained as a result of division are inspected, cleaned of rot, excess roots are cut off, leaving 2-3 on each division, the rest are shortened to 10-12 cm. Then they are treated with any fungicide, the sections are powdered with charcoal and kept in the shade for a day. After which the cuttings are immediately planted or dipped in a clay mash and dried (if the seedlings are to be transported).
Propagation of peonies by root cuttings
Root cuttings are non-standard pieces of roots obtained from dividing a peony bush in the form of pieces of roots with 1-2 buds. They are planted on ridges with fertile, loose soil (in a shkolka) according to a 15x15 cm pattern.
However, it is worth considering that even in the best conditions, no more than 80% of cuttings take root, so this method of propagating peonies should be considered as a backup. For example, if after dividing the bush there are such pieces of roots that it is a pity to throw away.
Reproduction of peonies by vertical layering
This is an interesting method, but it is not suitable for all varieties of peonies. As soon as the soil thaws after winter, it is raked away from the bush, exposing the underground buds. A box without a bottom, 35-45 cm high, is placed on the rhizome. A 12-centimeter layer of a loose mixture of soil, sand and peat (3:1:1) is poured into it.
Once a week, add a fresh portion of the mixture until it reaches the edges of the box. At the end of September, the box is removed, the soil is raked and the stems are cut off. Those areas of the shoots on which buds have formed are immediately planted in the school.
Propagation of peonies by stem cuttings
This is the most technically difficult method. It is used when seedlings with completely new roots are needed. But this method of propagation is not suitable for all types of peonies. Interspecific hybrids, for example, are generally impossible to propagate in this way. Tree peonies are most often propagated from stem cuttings.
The shoots are cut off before the flowers bloom, they are cut into cuttings, leaving a pair of internodes on each. The leaves are also trimmed, leaving only part of one leaf on each cutting. The cuttings are soaked in any growth stimulant (according to the instructions for the preparation) and planted in a greenhouse obliquely at a distance of 10 cm from each other.
Usually 25 cm is left between the rows. The cut from the bottom leaf should be in the soil. The air humidity under the film should always be maximum, then about 20% of the cuttings will give roots.
Propagation of peonies by seeds
This type of propagation is used only in selection. Each flower left on the bush usually produces seeds by the end of August. They are collected and kept in the refrigerator. In October, before the first cold weather, the seeds are taken out, soaked in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for a couple of hours, then sown on the beds. The distance between rows is 10-15 cm.
The seeds will begin to germinate the next year, but most will germinate within a year. Grown seedlings are planted according to a 20x40 cm pattern. After a year or two, the bushes are transferred to a permanent place. They will bloom only in the sixth year.
