How to Grow Peonies? Latest Care Methods and Tips Explained
The peony is also known as the “king of flowers” and the “flower of wealth”. Since the Tang Dynasty it has been revered as national beauty and heavenly fragrance, symbolizing completeness, wealth, good fortune and prosperity. Many people today like to grow a peony in their garden, but how do you grow a peony? This is also a problem that puzzles flower lovers, so let us take a detailed look at how to grow peonies!
The Growing Environment of Peonies
Peonies like to grow in a sunny environment, so place them in a spot with plenty of light, good ventilation and sun exposure. In spring and autumn you can put them outdoors. When summer brings high temperatures and frequent rain, move them to a shaded environment to avoid scorching sun and damage from heavy rain. In winter you can place the peony indoors in a sunny spot to avoid temperatures that are too low and affect its growth.
How to Fertilize Peonies
During the growing season, peonies need enough nutrients to grow quickly, so fertilize them regularly. Usually, during their growth period, fertilize once or twice a week. It is best to use fertilizer diluted with water, as this helps them absorb the nutrients better. During the flowering period, you can water with fertilizer water once a day, but after the flowers fade, reduce the frequency and amount of fertilizer. Winter is the dormancy period for peonies, so no fertilizer is needed.
How to Water Peonies
Peonies are drought-tolerant and afraid of waterlogging, so do not water too much when growing them; keep the soil moist but not wet. If you water too much, the branches and leaves can grow excessively, and if the soil stays too wet for a long time or water accumulates, it will cause root rot in peonies. Therefore, in summer and autumn, control the soil moisture of peonies even more. Usually in summer, water only in the early morning or at night, and in autumn just keep the soil from becoming too dry.
Four-Season Care for Peonies
1. Spring management: When the spring temperature steadily reaches 10°C, repot, repotting once a year. When taking the plant out of the pot, handle it gently to prevent the ball from being knocked off the rootstock. After removing it from the pot, remove dead roots and broken roots, let it dry for 3~5 days, then plant it, and after planting place it in a semi-shaded spot to grow. Do not water for now; only mist 2~3 times a day or place it in a place with higher humidity. After half a month, water lightly. After 1 month, once new roots have grown, gradually increase the water supply.
2. Summer management: When the summer temperature is hot, place the peony in a spot with morning and evening light to grow, maintaining a sufficient water supply, but watering should alternate between dry and wet. Also mist it several times a day around the plant and strengthen ventilation to lower the temperature. After the temperature cools at the end of summer, move it to a spot with plenty of light to grow.
3. Autumn management: In autumn, place the peony in a spot with plenty of light but no rain to grow, and water when the soil looks dry. As the weather turns cooler, gradually reduce watering so the potting soil stays on the dry side, until dormancy. When the outdoor temperature drops to around 10°C, promptly move it into a enclosed balcony or room with light to grow.
4. Winter management: Peonies are not cold-tolerant; in winter the indoor temperature should be kept above 8°C, and ideally around 0°C. Potted plants should be placed on a windowsill or balcony with plenty of light to grow. Pay attention to controlling water so the potting soil stays on the dry side; the lower the temperature, the drier the potting soil should be.