How to prune peony potted plants

When to prune peonies

Peony potted plants need to be pruned at least three times a year, mainly in spring, after the flowers fade, and in autumn. Timely pruning can save nutrients, concentrate them on the growth of strong branches and leaves, and also shape a beautiful plant shape.

Peony potted plant pruning

1. For peony potted plants, thin and weak branches should be cut off, and strong branches should be retained to make the plant fuller. Every year, buds should be removed and redundant branches that are too long and dense should be pruned.

2. Use thinning to remove diseased and insect-infested dead branches, old and weak branches, overlapping branches, inward branches, crossed branches, parallel branches, and overgrown branches to increase ventilation and light transmission, and at the same time shape a good plant shape.

3. When pruning leggy branches, you need to consider the overall plant shape. You can retain some of them appropriately. If there are large gaps in certain parts, you can shorten the leggy branches to fill the gaps. As for old and weak branches, you can focus on pruning them. Usually, you should cut off two-thirds of the annual branches to stimulate the plant to sprout new buds.

4. Timely and thorough cleaning of the withered branches and leaves of peony potted plants can greatly reduce or minimize the occurrence of continued infection by diseases and pests in the coming year.

Tips for pruning peony potted plants

Peony potted plants are generally pruned for the first time in March in spring. The tops can be pinched to promote branch growth. The second pruning is done after the flowers fade. Flower branches and pedicels are cut off in time to avoid excessive consumption of nutrients due to fruiting. The third pruning is in October-November each year. Diseased and insect-infested branches, old and weak branches, overlapping branches, inward branches, crossed branches, parallel branches, and long branches are cut off.

Precautions for pruning peony potted plants

The peony potted plant needs to be pruned as a whole, and all the dead leaves, yellow leaves and old leaves should be cut off. If we do not plan to collect seeds anymore, we can also cut off the flower stalks to reduce more nutrient consumption.