
Why Are There Ants on My Peony Flowers?
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I brought some beautiful peonies from my mom's when she passed, they were big big beautiful flowers and after a couple years the ants built a anthill in them and now they only get about three inches tall and only two shoots come up.
What can I do to help keep them alive.. their dying after the ants got to them. I'm so broken 💔.
I DO NOT KNOW WHY, BUT LAST YEAR I SPRAYED FOR TERMI TES NEAR MY PEONIES, AND THE CHEMICAL KILLED THE ANTS. FIRST TIME MY PEONIES DID NOT OPEN . SAME THING THIS YEAR, AFTER I SPRAYED. THINK I WILL LISTEN TO THE OLD TIMERS ON THIS ONE..
Great article. There are quite a few peonies on my property that were planted by the previous owners. The ants always were a problem so I didn’t really enjoy the flowers. This article has changed my attitude to these lovely, antsy blooms. Thank you.
I have had my peony for about 30 years now. I brought them from my grandmothers house. However I think I may have planted them too deep. They aren't blooming like they should. I wonder if I might have planted them too deep, or if moving them would help them thrive? Maybe they miss her as much as I do.
I know you miss your grandma but what a great way to be reminded of her and having such beautiful blooms to enjoy. If planted too deep? Try digging the root ball ( a bit bigger ) and put dirt underneath to lift.
Mine are 1” and they are doing great. Also it takes a year or two to be settled , good luck
Most articles say plant no deeper than 1 to 2 inches; the sun must "touch the roots" just like it does with Irises; absolutely do not mulch!
When I was quite young, we hated the ants on our flowers. I sprayed the buds with insect spray.
Needless to say, they never opened up and remained the tight marbles on the stems. Mom was furious with me when I told her what I had done!
Why does my peony plant put out 3 blooms every year but the buds never open?
There are a couple common reasons why peony buds do not open. 1. Not enough sun. In partial to heavy shade, plants are weak and may not be able to supply adequate food to the developing buds. Transplant peonies to a sunny site in September. 2. The flower buds may have been damaged by a late freeze. While the plants themselves can tolerate a light freeze, the buds are more susceptible to cold injury. Unfortunately, little can be done to avoid this problem except be careful to select plants that fit your growing zone.
The last thing that the ants want to throw off of the peonies are aphids, because one of ants primary preferred foods is honeydew, which is really aphid poop. Get rid of the aphids, and your dinner is gone!
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