| I BOUGHT A NEW PEONY BULB FROM HOME DEPOT . I OPENED THE PACKAGE AND FOUND A LONG STEM WITH A BALL ON TOP ON ROOTS OR FEEDERS, IT WAS DIFFICULT FINDING A POT TO PLANT IT IN SO I CUT A MILK CARTON AND LAID IT FLAT COVERING THE LONG STEM AND NOT PLANTING WHAT APPEARED TO BE NEW SHOOTS PLUS LPUT MULCH ON TOP. I REALLY LOVE THIS PLANT BUT UNSECCESSFUL IN HAVING A HEALTHY PLANT. CUT SOME OF THE ROOT OF |
| The peony root consists of the eyes, crown, and root system full of stored energy. Peonies are easy to grow but they can resent being moved so it is best to plant them directly outdoors in the garden rather than to start them in containers - or mild cartons. Yours has begun to sprout because it was stored in warm temperatures and it thinks it is spring time. You can slow down the new growth by simply storing it in a cool, dark place such as a garage or shed outdoors (but somewhere that remains above freezing). Prepare the planting hole by mixing in some compost or other organic matter and plant the peony root with the eyes up, covering it with only two inches of soil. The eyes should be 2 inches from the surface or the plant may refuse to bloom. Since you already have yours growing, I'd move it to an outdoor spot or invest in a large container, fill it with moistened potting soil and plant it upright rather than on its side, following the directions above. If the new sprouts die down, the roots should still have enough stored energy to produce healthy new shoots when the weather warms. Good luck with your peony. |
