In this newsletter you will find all information that is currently relevant to the crop of peonies. We trust that this information will help you in achieving a successful crop. Feel free to contact us for questions and remarks!
For a long time now you are receiving this newsletter from us. With information regarding the cultivation of peonies. Because we are always looking for ways to improve ourselves, we would like to hear from you how relevant this information actually is. What are things you would like to see differently and are there topics on which you would like to receive more information? We greatly appreciate any feedback, so please let us know!
Phytophthora
A quite new infestation in peonies is known as Phytophthora. An infection which takes place through injuries under humid circumstances and which creates circle shaped spots that get larger each year if you do not control the infection. The fungus can survive in plant tissue and in the soil for years. The first infestation can be recognized through black and weak leaves in the crop. When there is an infection by Phytophthora in the spring, brown to gray black spots will arise on the stem parts. In that case the branches will come up like some sort of black brackets and they will not grow further than 10 centimeters. After infection it is almost impossible to remove. Places of infection will most of the time feel spongy and soft, where the marrow will be dark brown and wet rot. Kansas and Duchesse are examples of species who are sensitive to Phytophthora. The elements Manganese and Zinc offer resistance against Phytophthora. To prevent this, from the moment the flower rises till the mulching, you have to spray with, for example, copper, Paraat, Axidor (works systematically), or the new fungicide Ranman Top.
It’s easy to confuse Phytophthora with damage from night frost. In both cases the head of the flower dies, a black brownish color arises, the flower dries out and the head will start to bend down. With damage from night frost, on the brink of diseased and healthy tissue, a cavity in the stem arises. The difference between Phytophthora and night frost can therefore easily be determined. With a serious infection, leaf nematodes can also be the cause of dead flower heads, with the difference that the head doesn’t bend. In that case, small, half-formed leaves can be seen. To prevent the unnecessary use of expensive pesticides, it is wise to test suspicious plants on the presence of Phytophthora.
Measures:
- Use healthy starting material
- Care for a good soil structure
- Avoid a soil that is to wet and ensure adequate drainage
- Avoid a high salinity of the soil
- While spraying against Botrytis, occasionally add a Phytophthora agent
Phytophthora in a peony
Watering
Paeonia is a sensitive crop. The crop is not strong due to the fast growth after sprouting. The plant repels its weakest flowers when the growth is fast while the weather is bleak. Especially during cold nights the frost will be blamed for this, but a lack of water is most likely the main reason. A sudden spell of warm weather during the stretching increases the risk too. Do not wait with watering until the soil is dry, but make it as pleasant for the plant as possible.
In the greenhouse or in the tunnel, the watering of the peonies is important for the final results. As said, the plant grows very fast. Therefore there is a big chance that the plant growth is more important than the growth of the flower buds. The so-called choosing moment of the plant can be delayed by giving sufficient water. The plant will no longer repel its flower buds when they are large enough. Watering demands paying attention to the climate as well. Avoid big changes in temperature and humidity, open a window in time and provide an easy growing period. By only opening the windows when it is warm may cause Botrytis. Meanwhile, growing too dry in order to prevent Botrytis can result in dried up flower buds. So the irrigation should be optimal for a better development of the flower buds. If not, one problem will be solved at the expense of another one.
Botrytis
The first treatment against Botrytis has to take place when the plants start to emerge. The new shoots can be infected when they emerge from the soil due to the fact that the fungus lingers at the surface of the soil during the winter. Drenching the soil with Collis can reduce the number of infected plants – for example with a sensitive variety like Flame – by more than 90%. Peonies damaged by the wind and frost are also more sensitive. Varieties in which Botrytis was present after flowering in the previous season, also need extra care. We would really like to emphasize the need to treat the plants timely and preventively. There is an advantage in doing so. The dosage is a 1,5 liters per acre (3 applications possible) and works best when as much as possible is drenched on the plants with lots of water (for sensitive plants 0,20 liters per plant). Using Collis regularly is not an option because of resistance. Loosening the top soil in the tunnels and in the greenhouses can reduce damage by collapsing stems. A peony it not very resistant to climate changes, because of its fast growth. Botrytis most likely appears around the damage due to this. Especially when peonies are not protected sufficiently during growth, the fungus will cause large problems. Extra spraying is most definitely needed during this critical period. Good and effective products are Teldor, Kenbyo, Flint, Luna and Switch.
p.s. Do not spray for two days after night frost.
Weed control
Weed control in peonies is more of a matter of discipline than a choice of means. In weed control the amount of organic content is almost only the most important factor. A heavy clay soil with almost little to no humus is light soil when it comes to weed control. The effect of a weed control product is being determined by a small line between effect and damage. Most means for weed control work best in the first period after application. When there is not being sprayed at the right moment, then a higher dosage is needed. However, this also increases the change of damage to the plant. AZ 500 is a soil herbicide that you can use before the emergence of the plants. This product works well against many unwanted things, like composites such as chamomile, groundsel, crucifers such as capsella bursa pastoris and cardamine hirsuta. But also poppy, purple dead-nettle and many other broadleaf weeds. But it also has its limitations. AZ 500 is not effective against cleavers, pelargonium and grasses and perennial weeds that emerge from rhizomes.
It is time to spray with Corzal SE and Goltix when the flower buds are visible. On a moist surface, Goltix has the best results. Do not spray at sunny weather, but spray late in the afternoon. When there is night frost expected, Goltix cannot be used because of the rapid degradation of the plant. The new product Oblix poses as an effective solution against cleavers.
p.s. Leaf nematodes can infect the parcel by lifting on weeds (seeds).
Fertilization
A quality peony needs a well-balanced fertilization. The time has passed in which a little bit of this and a little bit of that was enough. Peonies that have been standing in the same spot for multiple years can deplete the soil and certainly need nutrition.
Start of the cultivation
Until some years ago, only phosphate was known for a better root development. Now we know that the plants have a preferred order as it comes to the inclusion of elements. The order goes as follows: sulfur, boron, silicon, calcium, nitrogen, magnesium and phosphor. The availability of these basic elements – and especially boron, silicon and calcium – is essential for a good start of the plants.
If one of these elements is not available, than the chain is broken and the growing process might start slower/with more problems.
Main elements
The element nitrogen is most easily absorbed by the plant. Lots of nitrogen is needed during strong growth, like in the first weeks at the vegetative stage (length growth). There are two forms of nitrogen in your soil: ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen. Equal amounts of these two forms is ideally (a 1:1 ratio). A lack of nitrogen causes the plant to get light green or yellow foliage, flowering too early, less length growth and vulnerability to fungus diseases and insects. An excess inhibits Ca/Mg and boron absorption.
Phosphate works favorable in forming the main root system. This element improves – together with potassium – the forming of the flowers several weeks before the blooming. It is advised to apply extra phosphate and potassium before flowering time. A lack of phosphate results in smaller leaves, less colorful flowers, possible later flowering and red/purple coloring of the leaves (deficiency symptoms may occur at low temperatures). Excess symptoms basically do not occur, because phosphate easily binds to the soil particles. But a too large application of phosphate will cause that the plant cannot take up magnesium and this results in a lack of magnesium.
Potassium ensures firm foliage and stems. Together with phosphate, this element is used for larger and fuller flowers at the flowering time. When a plant has enough potassium, it can protect itself better against fungus and bacteria. A lack of potassium causes yellow leave edges. This starts with the older leaves at the bottom. The foliage will also get smaller and the stems thinner. Too much potassium could cause salt damage and a poor plant growth.
Magnesium gives the plant its fresh, healthy green appearance. It also has a function for the cells and the firmness of the tissue. It is a building stone for some enzymes. When there is a shortage of magnesium you will see the leaves turn yellow, while the leave nerves stay green. This element is limited available during drought, a cold spring, a low pH value and a high lime content. Excessive growth does not occur.
Calcium is used by the plant for its firmness and to build up cells. Calcium is essential for the water regulation of the plant and is indispensable at higher temperatures. The plant will evaporate a lot at higher temperatures and needs to take in more water. A shortage of calcium occurs when the growth is too fast and the humidity is too high, causing less evaporation in the plant. When the plant cannot evaporate it cannot absorb any water with plant food. With a deficiency, young leaves will wither and the plant will be more susceptible for fungus diseases. Calcium absorption is limited with a phosphate and lime rich soil.
Silicon is the neglected element when it comes to resilience. But it comes with an impressive array of other benefits. Including the fact that silicon helps with the absorption of calcium and it strengthens the cell wall to resist insects and diseases. And a more robust cell wall means stronger stems. Plants often have a silicon deficiency when they start to hang at the first signs of solar stress. Silicon-enhanced plants are more resistant to heat, cold, drought and have natural resistance to diseases and insects.
When it comes to the cultivation, there is little attention for trace elements. These are the vitamins and minerals for the plant. An uptake inhibition occurs when the pH value is greater than 6,5. Trace elements are: Fe = iron, Mn = manganese, B = boron, Zn = zinc, Cu = copper and Mo = molybdenum (high numbers often mean a high pH value). All these elements have an important function. They are the building stones of the plant. Trace elements are also needed for the water regulation, dividing of cells and metabolism of the plant. The trace elements are absorbed by the plant through its roots. Therefore it is important to grow strong roots. The plant food that is sold in the trade contains little to no trace elements. Therefore it is important to apply those during feeding.
The results of a shortage of a specific trace element are as follows:
Fe = iron: young leaves will turn light green, yellow or white between the nerves. Absorption problems at low temperatures, too wet or dry soil and a high pH value.
Mn = manganese: older leaves will turn yellow between the nerves. Absorption problems at low temperatures, too wet or dry soil and a high pH value.
B = boron: improves the number of flowers. This element is required at the start of the cultivation, together with calcium and silicon. Deficiency symptoms are growing problems of the growth point and malformation of the foliage.
Zn = zinc: growing problems and chlorosis spots on the young leaf.
Cu = copper: dying flower buds, young leaves will curl and turn yellow or grey.
Mo = molybdenum: almost always too low on the SoilBalanceAnalysis. It is important for the conversion of nitrogen gas in the air to ammonium nitrogen in the soil by enzymes. Yellow discoloration may be a deficiency problem in old leaves if nitrogen can’t be properly converted. Deficiency symptoms on young leaves can be different things: malformation of the foliage and yellowing of the leaves.
Added value of suitable fertilization in peony cultivation
The cultivation of peonies is characterized in two ways: it is a perennial crop in which the same plant is harvested for several years and the annual growth process goes through two fases: a period before cutting and a period after cutting. An additional third characteristic is that appropriate customized fertilization pays for itself. Both in vitality and in the yields that can be achieved per square meter.
Click here for all information from DCM.
Leaf nutrition Peonies as an addition to soil fertilization due to low soil temperature and high soil pH. Peonies grow from nothing to a full grown plant in a very short time. Which cost a lot of energy. The plant needs a range of main and spore elements to make this possible. These elements are not always as readily available through the soil. Because of the low soil temperature and/or high pH value of the soil, or because they are simply no longer available in the soil. It is very effective to provide the crop with these elements through leaf nutrition. Starting with leaf nutrition is possible when the crop is 15 cm high.
Click here for all information from KaRo.
Leatherjackets
Adult crane flies suck just a little bit of nectar. But the larvae of the crane fly, also known as leatherjackets, are much more voracious. They are relatively large, soft and fat and they eat of various plants. Including the stems of the peony just below the ground.
Way of life:
With the crane fly, six stages of development can be distinguished:
- One egg stage
- Four larval stages
- One adult stage
Adult crane flies live only for a few days. There are species which have one generation per year, but there are also species which have more generations per year. This means that the larvae are there year-round which can cause damage throughout the entire year.
Damage scenarios:
During the day, leatherjackets abide in the soil. At night they come up and eat at the stem base and lower green parts of the plant. Also, they pull the crop a little bit into the ground. Stems with a gnawed stem base wither.
Measures: biological control can be done using the parasitic nematodes Nemasys H, C or F.
In the following link you will find our extensive and updated peony assortment of 2023 – 2024:
Green Works also supplies other summer flower starting material, like: Ranunculus Butterfly™, Ranunculus Romance™, Scilla peruviana and Asclepias Beatrix®.
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Green Works is the grower specialized in young planting material for Peonies, Ranunculus, special pot plants and summer cut flowers. Green Works also is a large grower of peonies for the successful cultivation for cut flower and trade, in the Netherlands and abroad. We supply within the Netherlands and globally to professional growers and (export) traders. With support in cultivation, promotion and sales, Green Works offers a total package to put an unique and healthy product on the market: www.green-works.nl/en
Green Works can never be held liable for any cultural information given and only to be used as a guideline. The grower is at all times responsible for his own action and to read the label of the chemicals being used.
Have a look at our product pages for more information regarding our cut flowers, pot plants and peonies.
For more information about our products, please contact:
- Ed Kleijbeuker
M: +31 (0)6 24 94 64 05
E: ed@green-works.nl - Daan Kneppers
M: +31 (0)6 51 82 47 12
E: daan@green-works.nl
