Peony question

[Daniel Mosquin]

From the Botany Photo of the Day comments on Paeonia rockii:

(note -- this is in relation to the kinds of peonies one would plant in the backyards of Pennsylvania, not Paeonia rockii)

It is my understanding that once Paeonia's flower, it is best to remove the dead heads so that the plants energy is put back into the root rather than trying to create the seeds. Do you know if this is true? Will this make it flower more the next year? I have also read that "Manure" tea (Manure and water which sits for a few days) is great to give the plant BEFORE it blooms. This is suppose to make the blooms larger. Can you comment on this also?

Thanks!

[amsdad]

The dead head comment is generally true. I think it redirects the plants energy to more productive areas, like root development.

Had not heard about the fertilizer idea before. I read an article once that said bone meal was suppose to be good. I work that into the ground before blooms, after blooms and in the fall.