My Peonies are 6 years old and flower each year. But all main buds that bloom, also have 2-3 buds on the periphery, which grow to about 1 cm in diameter, but never bloom. The buds appear simultaneously, but the central one grows to maturity--secondary do not. Should these be kept or pinched off?
You can try adding more phosphorus to the soil, either with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer or bone meal.
I have peony flowers that get bugs much like a large beetle. The bugs burrow into the flowers and eat them. What is a good insecticide to use on peonies?
I would recommend trying neem oil. Here is more information on neem oil:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
How do you get it off?
This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/peony/powdery-mildew-peonies.htm
I read your article about how to treat this fungus, but I am wondering if treatment is necessary. Once the plants die for the season, will the fungus also be destroyed? So next spring, would I have a fungus-free plant?
The fungi can actually overwinter on plant debris, so it is best to go ahead and get rid of the fungal disease now to prevent future outbreaks.
We have three peonies, supposed to be red, pink, and white. Last year the pink and white ones were both pink. This year they are both white. What can cause this? We are in upstate NY near PA border.
Peonies are finicky in their blooming. Any disturbance can make them skip a year. What I think likely happened is that one year the pink bloomed and the white failed to and the next the white bloomed while the pink failed to bloom. I also have a multi-color peony bed, and never know which plants will bloom in any year. Some years they all will go and others only one will open. A million different stressors can cause this.
It may seem like they are sectioned off in particular places, but if they are a well established peony bed, then the tubers have grown into their neighbor's beds. So, where you may have planted white a few years ago, if the pinks are nearby, they have spread into the white and vice versa.
Try to reduce stress to the plants as much as possible. Make sure they are getting enough water and light, that the turbers are not being buried too deeply by mulch, that they have enough nutrients and, importantly, their roots are not being disturbed in any way. this should encourage all colors to bloom at once.
I planted peonies about 6 years ago. Half are doing well, the other half, in separate area always grow but the leaves get brown/black spots on them. Can I replant them? How? When?
Peonies are very finicky when replanted. It may take them a year or two before they recover from transplant shock. They may have a fungus too. Treat the plants with a fungicide to help this.
Can peonies be started from 'buds' that are beneath flowers?
This article will help you with propagating peonies: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/peony/dividing-peony-plants.htm