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How exactly do you dead head a peony?
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Posted by ladylav 7 (My Page) on Sun, May 25, 08 at 12:37
| I'm new to this forum and to gardening so please excuse my ignorance. I need to know how to dead head a peony exactly. I was under the impression that you just "pop" off the bud portion after it has bloomed. My peony however, have these star like buds left after they have bloomed and once the dead petals have been removed. They are very well attached to the stem and very difficult to just "pop" off. They look like they could bloom again but never do. My husband cut these 'faux' buds off with shears and I'm not sure if that was the correct thing to do. Also, are these 'star-like' buds seeds and can they be replanted? Anyone with any advice would be appreciated greatly. Thanks |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: How exactly do you dead head a peony?
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| Just clip off the spent bloom (or the end of the flower stalk that is left when the petals fall) with a scissors or pruner if you can't snap it off by hand. The star like remainder is the seed head. They won't bloom again. Normally, it takes 3-5 years to grow a peony from seed. So much simpler to buy a blooming sized plant or to try your hand with some inexpensive bare root stock available just about anywhere plants are sold. I bought some packaged bare roots from Wal-mart late this March. Right now they're healthy, good sized plants. They aren't likely to bloom this year, but should by next year. |
RE: How exactly do you dead head a peony?
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| If you want your bushes to look tidier, follow the flowering stem down to the leaves and cut just above the leaf about 1/2-1/4 inch above. If you cut closer that leaf may discolor and need to be removed. |
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