Buds didn't open

10 years ago

I have two peonies planted early last summer (post bloom). One has bloomed beautifully; the other set 5 buds but none developed beyond pea-sized. I have read up on this and realize there are several possible causes, including being planted too deeply, lack of sun, cold, fungus, and just being too young.

The other peony, which bloomed, is about 10 feet away in the same bed. I attempted to plant both of them shallowly. They get about the same amount of sun, but the non-blooming peony gets more morning-through-early afternoon sun and the bloomer gets more midday-through-late afternoon sun. There was a cold spell in spring.

If this were your plant, would you do anything? Try to make sure it's not planted too deeply? Or just wait until next year since it's been in the ground for less than one year?

thanks!

Featured Answer

AlexUnder

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

do nothing and decide next year - it is normal that buds do not develop fully in the first year. you can disbud them to the first top leaf right now - that's what I do if I feel they are not developing

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Comments (6)

Lalala (zone 6b)
Original Author
10 years ago
thanks! Do you disbud because it's better for the plant, or does it just make it look tidier?
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AlexUnder
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
they will not develop and look unhealthy - I think it is better to remove them. anything with a potential to rot has to go.
Lalala (zone 6b)
Original Author
9 years ago
Following up one year later...Last year's non-bloomer has produced one healthy bud that is about to bloom this year! Still not performing like the other plant (which has four blooms) and still has two undeveloped buds, but at least there is improvement. Thanks for the advice last year!
AlexUnder
9 years ago
Nice to hear! It is actually better to disbud first years, so energy goes to plant development, but we all want to see flowers asap :)
Lalala (zone 6b)
Original Author
9 years ago
I left the bud on until it started to open, then cut it and brought it indoors to save it from the 90 degree heat we're having! Not sure that counts as disbudding. You're right that I wanted to see flowers asap. I'm enjoying it in my living room now.