tree peony - coming up from root

Discussion in 'Woody Plants' started by Gudrun, May 30, 2008.

  1. Gudrun

    Gudrun Member

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    We bought this pretty white tree peony two years ago. It bloomed profusely in huge white blooms last year. This spring we suddenly have two sets of foliage: one from the rootstock and one from the graft! Only the herbaceous rootstock part appears to be producing buds, the grafted tree-peony part just has foliage. What on earth do we do now?? Dig the whole thing up and...what? What can we do to avoid this in the future? Thanks, Gudrun
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Cut the rootstock sprouts off.
     
  3. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    And heap up some soil around the base, to encourage the scion to root out on its own roots. Note that although this can be done with tree peonies, it can't with most other plants, so don't take that as general advice!
     
  4. levilyla

    levilyla Active Member

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    What if you planted a tree peony a couple of years ago and the only thing that came up is the herbaceous one? Does that mena that the "tree" part is not viable? In other words just throw it away and start over?
     
  5. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Means the tree peony scion died. If you want a tree peony, yes, you have to start over, though the herbaceous one might also be worth keeping in its own right so don't just throw it away before seeing if you like it or not.
     
  6. levilyla

    levilyla Active Member

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    Thanks.
     
  7. mikeyinfla

    mikeyinfla Active Member

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    if the top is still alive cut the sprout from the rootstock and the scion should grow again if it is totally dead than yes you would either have to regraft a tree peony to it or dig it and start over coarse it might be worth the time to see what the blooms look like from the rootstock if they are pretty enough than keep that one than plant a new tree peopny somewhere else. as a rule peony does not grow in my part of florida so donot have any first hand knowledge of the species but in most grafted plants if you let the suckers from the rootsock grow it will outgrow and usually kill the scion.
     
  8. Debby

    Debby Active Member 10 Years

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    Michael, a local authority did say to do what you suggest with lilac: to ensure that there is soil above the graft so that the grafted plant can establish its own roots. Wouldn't that work for roses as well???
     

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