Coffee anyone ?

[thistlebloom]

But oh so lovely when behaving!

The peony season here usually means fallen stems and muddy petals. Except for the single petaled blooms, which are my favorite. They don't collect enough water to drag them to the ground. So far it's taking one CP to make one and a half cages, so I will not be doing 18. Today I'll make enough to do the biggest bushes and see how they work. And they are going to add a slightly industrial look to the flower beds. I may paint them black so they sort of disappear...

 

[Bruce]

So far it's taking one CP to make one and a half cages, so I will not be doing 18.

What diameter are you making the rings and how big are these plants? I just have peony rings that I think are about 18" diameter. Not nearly as strong as a CP of course and once stabbed into the ground on their 3 legs are only about 2' high. But without them, yep just a big soggy mess of flowers on the ground. Somehow the design of the peony plant seems to be inadequate.

 

[promiseacres]

I never knew that peonies needed a cage... I am sure mine appreciate their cage free life though.

 

[Baymule]

I don't have any peonies. I guess they don't grow in Texas, nobody I know has them or ever has.

 

[thistlebloom]

What diameter are you making the rings and how big are these plants? I just have peony rings that I think are about 18" diameter. Not nearly as strong as a CP of course and once stabbed into the ground on their 3 legs are only about 2' high. But without them, yep just a big soggy mess of flowers on the ground. Somehow the design of the peony plant seems to be inadequate.

I have some monster ancient huge peonies to support, some are close to 5' tall and pretty girthy. I am making them with four 2' panels. Some of the peonies are still quite small and a regular cage would be fine for them. But my issue with cages, or peonies themselves, is that even when caged the flower stems collapse over the supports and you have a bunch of broken stemmed, head hanging flowers.
Like I mentioned, this isn't a big issue with the single petaled ones. It's those big fat fluffy doubles that soak up rain like a sponge and then can't hold themselves up.

I never knew that peonies needed a cage... I am sure mine appreciate their cage free life though.

Free range peonies!

 

[thistlebloom]

I don't have any peonies. I guess they don't grow in Texas, nobody I know has them or ever has.

They need winter chill. Your two minutes of snow doesn't count, haha!

 

[Baymule]

They need winter chill. Your two minutes of snow doesn't count, haha!

We didn't even have 2 minutes of snow this past winter.

 

[Mini Horses]

Maybe they need umbrellas not cages. Actually the size you describe may need to be split up -- started anew.

 

[promiseacres]

Good morning, Coffee is on.
Today unloading horse trailer full of hay. Got another 240 bales of hay baled, up to about 400 of my goal of 700. Have friend's coming over to swim with us early afternoon. Have 3 people who want to look/buy bunnies. And storms predicted late afternoon. We need rain.

 

[Xerocles]

Are you looking for a pal? LOL I've got a tiny one for you!

Definitely NOT looking for a pal. And I, naturally, defer to your expertise on his conformation. My inexperienced self just thought he was beautiful. And I am totally able to admire a thing of beauty without the desire to acquire.
Guess I'm just a sucker for the dappled body with the blonde mane and tail.