Water the plant deeply but infrequently, aiming for a total of about 1 inch of water per week, including rainwater. Make sure to water the root zone around the plant, rather than spraying the foliage with a hose.
Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot. Be sure to check the soil moisture level before watering. Poke your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. For grafted tree peonies you want to feel go a bit deeper 3 to 4 inches. You want the water to be around the roots not at the branch of the graft or it can rot the branch.
Water evenly, giving the same amount of water to the entire area around the plant.
Avoid overhead watering if possible.
Yellow leaves: If the leaves of your peony plant begin to turn yellow and wilt, it could be a sign of overwatering. They may also look droopy and soft.
Moldy soil and roots: Overwatering can lead to a buildup of moisture in the soil, which can cause mold or fungus to grow. Check the soil surrounding the roots of your peony plant to see if it appears moldy or smells musty.
Slow growth or lack of blooms: Overwatering can cause the roots of a peony plant to become waterlogged, preventing the plant from absorbing necessary nutrients. This can lead to slowed growth and a lack of blooms on the plant.
Soft, mushy stems: If the stems of your peony plant feel soft and mushy to the touch, it could be a sign of overwatering.
If you suspect that you are overwatering your peony, reduce the frequency of watering and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Drooping leaves: If the leaves on your peony are drooping or wilting, it could be a sign that the plant is not getting enough water.
Stunted growth: If your peony plant is not growing as tall as it should or is not producing large blooms, it could be a sign that it is not getting enough water.
Dry soil: Check the soil around the peony plant. If the soil is dry to the touch, it is likely that the plant is not getting enough water.
Brown or yellow leaves: If the leaves on the peony plant are brown or yellow, it could be a sign that the plant is not getting enough water or that it is being overwatered.
Peonies do not like to be potted up but if they must be potted up do not put them in potting soil. The potting soil is often too dense and will likely cause rot. You instead want to use dark fines or do a compost that allows plenty of drainages. It is better to let the water drain and water more frequently than use soil that retains moisture when planting peonies in pots.
To keep the pots cool and the plant healthier while in a pot you can gid a hole in the ground and put the pot in the ground. This will help keep the pot cool and an environment closer to being planted in the ground but the convenience of not being permanently planted in case it is temporary. Recommend putting extra drainage holes.
You will receive a minimum of three to five eyes for Herbaceous and Intersectional Peonies. If a root does not have three eyes a second root will be added to make up the difference. At times roots can break during the separation process. For tree peonies, we provide three-to-four-year mature varieties. Often the nurse root (grafted herbaceous root) has been removed but not always. The tree should have several roots of its own and no longer be dependent on a nurse root.
