you or someone from the society could answer.I have one peony (not sure
of the variety) which is frustrating me.It leafs out beautifully, and forms numerous large, round buds. However,at that point, it STOPS. The buds never open. Eventually, thebuds turn brown and drop off, and the top leaves get a brownish discolorationon the tips. Any idea what this peony is needing? Is some sortof rust fungus or other disease at work? I'd love to find some sourceof information, but I have not been able to find anything about commonpeony diseases. This plant is in full sun. I have fertilizedit.
My other peonies are doing fine. They arein different locations from the reluctant plant.
Thanks for your help,
AM
Asheville, NC
Yoursis a common problem. And there are a variety of possibilities.
1.EVERY peony variety behaves slightly differently from
every other. A slight climate difference, a frostat just the wrong
time, some minor soil difference , etc. can allaffect the growth,
vigor and flowering. The fact that this singleisolated peony is the
only one that has this problem suggest somethingabout the site.
Maybe it has cold spring winds that damage thebud as it is
developing. Maybe the site is too damp.
Inany case, I suggest the solution is to move the plant to a
better site.
2.Botrytis is a common problem for peonies in certain
climates- especially where a cool damp springcan encourage this
fungus. One symptom is buds that develop to acertain state and then
drop off or fail to bloom.Have you seen botrytisin any other
peonies? Moving the plant may eliminate the environmentalproblem.
Spraying may also be required. Check any goodplant disease book on
Botrytis or see Al Roger's 'Peonies' by TimberPress.
3.Asheville is a bit south for a lot of peonies to be really
happy and this stress on this variety may justbe a bad combination.
A different location may give the plant more(orless) chill, more(or
less) sun, etc.
Somy combined answer seems to be- move the plant. Since this
is the only plant in this location and the onlyplant with a problem.
Donot try to move the plant until Fal-in your location any
time after Sept 1. Dig the whole plant and takethe opportunity to
divide it into smaller divisions and try it indifferent parts of the
garden. Watch for your micro-climates where itis warmer, drier,
sunnier, etc. Prepare a good sail mix and fertilizein August before
the move and again in each new site. You maynot see any difference
next spring, but expect good bloom the year after.Patience.
Goodluck Jim W.
