A detailed guide to peony planting methods, the whole process from planting to care

Before planting peonies, remove some diseased roots and choose a loose, fertile sandy soil for planting. When planting in the ground, choose a higher, east-facing sunny spot; when growing in pots, place them on a sunny east-facing balcony. If placed on a south balcony or rooftop platform, the west side must be shaded. Finally, fertilize at least three times a year, water moderately, and keep it dry rather than wet; only water after the soil has dried.

1. Soil

Peonies prefer loose, fertile sandy soil, and planting in heavy clay soil or a low-temperature location should be avoided. Before planting peonies, some diseased roots need to be pruned away to help the peony absorb nutrients.

2. Light

When planting peonies in the ground, choose a higher, east-facing sunny spot; when growing in pots, place them on a sunny east-facing balcony. If placed on a south balcony or rooftop platform, the west side must be shaded. The hot and humid weather in the south is extremely unfavorable for peony growth, so cultivating peonies in the south requires providing them with specific environmental conditions.

3. Water

If there is drought and the soil is dry, water moderately, but keep it dry rather than wet; only water after the soil has dried. Peony roots grow vertically into the soil, so loosening the soil should be deep. Deeply loosen the topsoil at least 3 times a year: once after flowering in spring, once after the plum rain season in summer, and once after typhoon and heavy rain in autumn.

4. Fertilizing

Fertilize at least three times a year. The first time is before flowering to promote blooming; the second time is half a month after flowering to replenish the nutrients consumed by blooming; the third time is before overwintering with a winter fertilizer. The fertilizer should mainly be decomposed cake fertilizer. The amount of fertilizer should preferably be 0.5-1 kg per plant each time, and a chemical compound fertilizer can also be mixed in.

5. Pruning

After budding in spring, keep about 5 branches and remove the rest to concentrate nutrients so that the flowers will be large and brightly colored the next year. In autumn and winter, along with clearing the garden, cut off dried flower stalks, thin weak branches, and non-flowering branches. When growing in pots, prune them into the shape you like as needed.

6. Pest prevention

A common disease of peonies is brown spot disease. At first, yellow-green spots appear on the leaf surface, and later they gradually expand to form brown or black markings. Bordeaux mixture can be sprayed 1-2 times a month, and if the condition is severe, it can be sprayed 3 times. Leaves that are more seriously infected should be cut off and burned to prevent spread.