Peonies need to be divided before the active growth and development of small suction rootlets. In the middle zone - from mid-August to the end of September. If the autumn is warm, then - until the first decade of October. However, one should keep in mind: the closer to dividing pions in winter, the worse the survival of the deer will be.
For dividing the bushes, which are not less than 3 years old, it is better - 5-7. And - no more than 8-mi.
Before digging, the stems of peonies must be cut at an altitude of 10-15 cm from the ground. Digging up the rhizome should be carefully: the roots of the pions are very fragile, in large specimens can go 50-100 cm into the depth of the soil.
First dig a bush with a fork at a distance of at least 20 cm from the stems. Then, supporting the forks on both sides, remove from the ground.
From the rhizomes, gently shake the ground. If she falls behind - put the rhizome under a stream of water and put it for a few hours in the shade for wilting. After this, the roots become less fragile and do not break down during division.
Examine the rhizome and cut out all the rotten patches and small roots.
First you need to cut the rhizome into 2-3 parts.
To correctly determine the places of dissection, touch the bush and shake it, trying to find areas where the rhizome easily bends, - on them and the lines of dissection will pass. Cut better with a wide chisel, punching it with a hammer. After dissecting, try to carefully untangle the roots of the separated parts.
Old (which is more than 8 years old), overgrown bushes to share is not recommended. The root system is very massive and confusing, and the planting material will be less quality because of the severe damage to the underground part of the plant by root rot.
Check out the resulting files. Patients cut, bound and directed upwards. Do not damage the buds of renewal! The remaining roots shorten with a sharp knife to 10-20 cm at an angle of 45-60 degrees. Rapid healing of the roots is facilitated by smooth and smooth cuts, in place of which after a while a protective tissue is formed.
The resulting planting material should be disinfected with a weak solution of potassium permanganate (soak for several hours). Then cut the sections with charcoal powder. To cut the roots on the roots with a film that prevents the penetration of the infection, the pieces are placed for a day in the shade.
Delenki better get accustomed if you dip them in a creamy clay chatterbox with the addition of 0.5 kg of wood ash. To stimulate the formation of the root system and protect against clay rot, it is better to stir in water, in which 2 tablets of heteroauxin and 50 g of copper sulfate have been previously dissolved (per 10 liters of water).
After this, spread the eggs in a warm dry place to dry on the roots of the clay layer.
Processed in this way, the products can be preserved without drying out for a long time.
Care for young plantings in the first year should be thorough, because they still have a weak root system. Young plants require regular watering, loosening, removing buds, weeding, feeding, preventive spraying against pests and diseases.
You can also breed the peonies by root cuttings - small pieces of rhizome (1-3 cm) with a small subordinate root and with 1-second (rarely - 2) renewal buds. Plant root cuttings in previously prepared ridges with light moisture-absorbing and air-permeable soil. Care for young plants is the same as for young children. Two years later peonies can be planted in a permanent place. Flowering begins in the third year.
Standard division
1 - rhizome;
2 - places of sections;
3 - remains of stems;
4 - kidney resumption;
5 - additional roots.
In standard divisions, the proportion between the number of kidneys and the volume and number of accessory roots is observed. Each of the chunks should have 3-5 renal buds, 1 -2 stem and several accessory roots about 20 cm in length. If the lines of incision are incorrectly defined, you can get a lot of kidneys and an insufficient number and volume of roots and vice versa.
Prepared by Tamara ZINOVYEVA, Nizhny Novgorod.
Fig. Darya Rastorgueva, Minsk.
The magazine "Flower" № 15 2007