As long as they grow happily and bloom happily at Pentecost, everything is good. But when individual buds dry up, leaves become stained or even the entire plant dies, worry lines appear on the forehead. What disease could this be and how can the peony be helped now?
What diseases can occur in peonies and how can they be treated?
Common peony diseases include gray mold, leaf spot and wilt. To treat them, affected shoots, stems or leaves should be removed and discarded. Preventive measures include: sunny location, regular fertilization and watering as well as clean cutting tools.
Grey mold – most common
Fungal diseases represent the greatest threat to peonies. They are quite susceptible to infestation if care has been neglected and/or they are in an unsuitable location. Peonies often fall victim to gray mold.
Gray mold tends to appear in spring when the weather is humid and warm. He can be recognized by:
- brown, dried out buds that don't open
- rotting stems
- on shrub peonies: whole shoots wilt
What should be done? The diseased shoots should now be cut back to he althy wood. For perennial peonies, the diseased stems are removed down to the base. The clippings are disposed of with household waste.
The leaf spot disease – easy to recognize
Leaf spot disease can also occur. It can be recognized by large, light brown to purplish-brown spots that become larger and cover the entire leaf. As a result, the affected leaves dry out and growth becomes weaker. Fungicides help here, but it would be more ecological to simply cut off the affected areas.
Wilt disease – in rare cases
Peonies are much less likely to be affected by wilt disease. This disease, which manifests itself in dying roots, occurs more frequently when the soil is tired. This is the case, for example, when peonies are placed in the same location again and again.
Preventing illnesses – how?
You can prevent disease infestation through various measures. Here are some of them:
- plant in a sunny and airy location
- do not transplant if possible
- fertilize regularly
- water in hot and dry conditions
- cut with clean tools
- remove old leaves
- removing wilted flowers
Tip
Perennial peonies are best cut down in the fall. Otherwise, fungal pathogens could overwinter on the old plant parts and spread again in spring.
