On Sun, 02 Mar 2003 14:21:33 GMT, Pam wrote:



Phisherman wrote:

Can anyone help me find a web site or instructions on making peony
supports? I am handy with wood, but I need dimensions. I have no
idea what these look like, and no local garden centers have them.
Thanks!

Can't help you with a site or instructions, but peony supports are
pretty commonly available at garden centers here, although not
specifically marketed as such. They tend to be more generically referred
to as 'plant supports' and typically consist of a plastic coated wire
ring divided into a grid. These are suppported by leg attachments. You
place them over the plant as it begins to develop foliage and growth in
the spring and the stems grow up through and are supported by the grid.
They work great on any number of taller, floppy growth perennials and
because they are almost always colored a deep green, they tend to
disappear into the foliage and become invisible. Not sure exactly how
they could be constructed of wood, but I'm sure some clever person could
come up with a plan!

Here is a rather poor representation - the rings appear much more
obvious than they do once properly established, but their method of
operation is clear.
http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page...urrency=2&SID=

(Watch out - long URL)


Thanks Pam! I went to Lowes today and they had some that seemed a bit
flimsy. The ones specifically for peonies were simply a 16" hoop with
three 20" wire legs. They also had a more sensible type with a grid
simply called a plant support. I have a group of three peonies, so I
will make a grid supported by stakes. I have a LOT of pallet wood, a
table saw, a bottle of waterproof carpenters glue, and some green
paint that I'll put to good use tomorrow. Last year my peonies were
in their second year, got rather large, and flopped over so this year
that won't happen.