Features and description of Bartzella peony, planting and care rules
Of all the varieties, Bartzell peonies are considered the most expensive. This variety appeared back in 1948, thanks to a Japanese breeder, after many crosses. It is a hybrid of two varieties - Kinko and Kakoden. A perennial plant with lush yellow flowers quickly won the vocation of gardeners, including in Russia, because the lower tree-like part tolerates frost well.
Description and features
This variety has several names, the origins of which are in its history. They are often called Itoh hybrids after Toichi Ito, the Japanese breeder who worked on peonies. Another part of the name - Bartzella or Bartzella, comes from the surname Bart. It was worn by a pastor who was close to the scientist's family.
The result is a beautiful ornamental plant with the following properties:
- the bush forms a sphere;
- leaves are large, densely cover the bush;
- stems up to a meter, stiff;
- flowers - about 25 centimeters in diameter, very lush, yellow petals, light orange in the middle;
- up to 60 buds appear on one plant, their number increases with age;
- blooms in early June, blooms for a month.
In addition to external beauty, this hybrid is unpretentious and tolerates adverse conditions well:
- It is cold-resistant, since the woody base of the stem remains for the winter, and even if some part of it is frozen, it will quickly recover. Withstands up to -30 degrees. The leaves remain green until the very frost.
- Not afraid of diseases, pests.
- Does not die in drought.
- It does not need to be tied up or protected from the wind.
- Suitable for bouquets, stands in a vase for up to two weeks, does not crumble.
Therefore, the variety is highly valued by flower growers, although it is quite expensive.
Variety history
The year of birth of this variety is 1948, when breeder Ito obtained it by crossing two other varieties:
- the parent plant is the Kinko variety (tree-like);
- maternal - Kakoden (milky white).
The result was the appearance of six bushes with yellow buds, which the scientist sought. But it was not Ito himself who finished work on the new variety, but his student and assistant - Anderson, who collaborated with Ito's widow. It was only in 1974 that Bartzell peonies attracted the attention of gardeners and became popular. 2002 was another important date when the variety received the Grand Prix at an international exhibition.
Seedling preparation
Although this variety is unpretentious, it is necessary to choose and prepare the right seedling so that the effort does not go to waste.
How to choose
The choice of planting material depends on the number of renewal buds on it. There should be at least two of them, ideally five, and the same number of roots.
How to prepare
Preparation consists of the following stages:
- Carefully cut away any rotten or moldy areas.
- Sprinkle the sections with ash.
- Disinfect the seedlings in a solution of 5 liters of water with 2 grams of potassium permanganate. This will also serve as prevention.
Landing
Before planting, be sure to take into account the peculiarities of the plant, because you cannot plant it in any place you like.
Seat selection
A peony will grow in one place for several decades. Therefore, try to choose a bright and warm enough area. There should not be tall trees or buildings nearby that will create shade, but the plant tolerates partial shade well. Avoid hollows that collect melt water or rainwater.
Ground requirements
The main condition for normal growth is a nutritious soil with good drainage. You will not achieve flowering if the ground is heavy and airtight.
Landing scheme
In terms of planting, the peony is a very demanding plant. Flowers appear in at least two years, sometimes after three. But for them to appear, follow these rules:
- Prepare the hole in advance so that the soil has time to sink.
- The size of the fossa should be about 60x60 centimeters.
- At the bottom you need to put a mixture of sand, peat and garden soil.
- Make sure that when burying, the buds are under a five-centimeter layer of earth, they should also lie horizontally.
- The seedling itself is placed so that it is slightly tilted.
- The root system should be on a layer of sand.
- Sprinkle the root collar around with sand along with ash.
Primary feeding
For peonies, primary feeding is important. Its composition depends on the soil, but a versatile mixture of 150 grams of superphosphate, a can of ash and 1 tablespoon of ferrous sulfate is often used. This variety grows best in neutral or mildly alkaline soil. For deoxidation, you can apply the following composition:
- one and a half glasses of double superphosphate;
- 300-500 grams of ash;
- from 150 to 500 grams of dolomite flour;
- 2 cups bone meal.
This mixture is applied per 1 square meter. The exact amount depends on the composition of the soil.
Timing
Peony Bartzella will take root best after planting in late August or September. The main thing is that at least a month remains before frost, this is important for the root system. Plant in the morning or evening, but in the first case, do not water the plant until the end of the day.
Care
For all its unpretentiousness, the peony needs appropriate care. But it does not require any special and complex measures.
Watering
This variety needs to be watered regularly, and in some cases it will require a lot of water. So, in dry times, the amount reaches two buckets. You can determine the watering time on the ground near the bush - it will be required when the topsoil dries up. Never allow water to stagnate.
Loosening and weeding
It is necessary to loosen the soil near the Bartzella peony as often as possible, especially during a dry period and after heavy rains. Thoroughly remove all weeds - they greatly interfere with growth.
Mulching
These peonies are frost-resistant, but it is better to cover them for the winter, especially young bushes. To do this, use spruce branches, dry humus or leaves from the peony itself. After the snow melts, the mulch must be removed so that the plant can immediately grow.
Top dressing
Be careful when feeding, do not apply too much, otherwise the bush will have many leaves and few flowers.
In the spring
After the snow has melted and you have removed the mulch, feed the plant with nitrogen. Then it will quickly cover with green leaves.
When forming buds
Complex fertilizers are suitable for better flower growth.
During flowering
During blooming and later, potassium chloride and superphosphate can be used. Mineral concentrates or special complex fertilizers for such crops are also suitable.
Before freezing
To prepare the bushes for the ground, also use mineral concentrates, best of all with a high content of potassium and phosphorus.
Irrigation and spraying
It is necessary to spray the bushes only in case of drought. There is usually enough water during rainy periods.
Pest control
Peony Barcella is resistant to most diseases and pests. But still, treatment against some of them is necessary so that the bush retains a healthy and beautiful appearance for a long time.
Spider mite
Usually, solutions of insecticides or fungicides are used, with which prophylaxis is carried out.
Aphid
Aphids can also be treated with insecticides. For example, Aktellik and Biotlin would be good options.
Ants
Insecticides can be used, or repellents sprayed over the bushes.
Pruning
Held in autumn, before wintering. The peony is very different from other plants in that it can be cut almost to the ground, but gardeners are advised to leave somewhere 8 centimeters.
If you cut below, then you don't have to worry about the safety of the bush, because buds always remain underground. Prune on a dry, warm day to keep the plant from rotting. In the summer months, prune after the flowers are dry. Also, pick off the buds on young plants, then the bush will become stronger.
Do I need a transplant
A transplant by itself is not needed for a peony. In addition, this variety does not tolerate such a procedure. If a transplant is still necessary, do it in the fall months. It is important to divide the roots, otherwise they will interfere with each other.
Reproduction
Breeding with seeds is not carried out, since the decorative qualities of the variety will not be preserved. Instead, divide up the root or bush.
Root division
This breeding method is carried out in August or September and is divided into several stages:
- Pick up a mature plant (at least three years old).
- Dig out the root carefully, but do not damage in any case, otherwise the peony will easily die.
- Cut off the part with the kidneys.
- Treat the cut with manganese, dry before planting back.
- The new seedling is also processed and transferred to a permanent place.
Dividing the bush
When dividing a bush, it must first be dug from all sides in order to extract it along with the root. You need to dig at a distance of 50 centimeters from the plant, no less, since the root system grows strongly to the sides.
When dividing a bush, it is necessary that 2-3 buds remain on each part. Therefore, many seedlings from one plant cannot be obtained.
Application in landscape design
Peony Bartzella looks great both alone and in compositions. Due to the fact that its stems are stiff, the bush retains its shape, the flowers do not deviate to the side, even when there are many of them. The leaves do not lose their decorative effect throughout the season, even with the onset of frost they remain.
