Would appreciate support. I live in northern NM at about 7,000 feet. I am having issues with thrips which strip flower bud petals before they can bloom. (See photo)
I have transplanted 3 peony plants and they came back this year fine although kind of small/short. I got one flower bud on the biggest plant and used Neem oil and insecticide spray from the moment the bud appeared. Thrips still ate the bud. (See photo) The other 2 plants are shorter and have 2 very small buds. Not sure if they will bloom.
My question is can I put diatomaceous earth under the plant to deter insects? Especially thrips? What else can I do early in Spring to deter Thrips?
I am also consider lady bugs or pirate buds next year.
Does anyone have advice on this? I sure would like these plants to bloom. Many gardens in my general area do very well here with peonies and their plants are 3 times bigger than mine.
Maybe mine are stunted by soil condition? (Alcaline soil here; I mises it with nursery soil). Need fertilizer to encourage root and foliage growth? Any advice welcome.
