A Detailed Guide to Seed Selection and Seedling Raising Methods for White Peony (Baishao)
White peony (Baishao) is a perennial herbaceous vine. As a well-known major medicinal herb variety, it has a very long history of cultivation in China. White peony has a very wide range of uses and remarkable economic benefits, and more and more people are now growing white peony. The planting time is generally around Cold Dew, and mature, plump seeds can be collected in mid-to-late August. So how should white peony seeds be selected? What are the seedling raising methods? Let's find out together.
How are white peony seeds selected?
Before planting white peony, choosing a good variety is key. Generally speaking, there are mainly 4 varieties of white peony: white flower white root crown, red flower numb root crown, red flower red root crown, and red flower green root crown. Among them, the best quality variety is white flower white root crown; this variety of white peony has well-developed roots that are thick and round with fewer branches, and the quality of the white peony medicinal material is relatively high. In addition, for seedlings, healthy and strong seedlings must be selected, as the quality of the seedlings will directly affect the growth in the coming year.
What are the seedling raising methods?
1. Site selection and land preparation
Generally, loam or sandy loam with good drainage, ventilation and sunlight, and deep, fertile soil is mostly chosen. Before planting, fine cultivation is required, with a plowing depth of 20-40 cm, plowing and turning 1-2 times. Along with plowing and turning, apply 2500-4000 kg of barnyard manure or compost per mu as base fertilizer, rake level, and make raised beds 1.3-2.3 m wide.
2. Sowing method
Plant at the right time; if too late, the peony buds have already developed new roots and are easily broken during planting, affecting growth in the coming year. Plant separately according to the size of the peony buds for easier management, with row spacing and plant spacing of 50 x 30 cm, planting 4000-4500 plants per mu. The method mostly uses hole planting, placing 1-2 buds per hole, buried 3-6 cm underground as appropriate.
3. Intertillage and loosening the soil
After emergence, carry out intertillage and weeding 2-3 times each year. Intertillage should be shallow to avoid injuring roots and killing seedlings. In late October, before the ground freezes, cut off branches and leaves 7-10 cm above the ground and earth up around the root zone to help overwintering.
4. Timely topdressing
White peony planted in the current year generally does not need additional fertilization. Starting from the second year, additional fertilization should be applied about 4 times, with fertilization in mid-March, May, July, and around November-December respectively, so that white peony growth receives sufficient nutrients.
5. Seed propagation
Single-petal peony sets much seed. When the seeds mature in early to mid-August, pick them promptly when the fruit slightly splits, sow immediately after picking, or mix with wet sand and store until sowing in mid-to-late September. After the seedlings grow for 2-3 years, carry out field planting.
Overall, to grow white peony, you must first prepare the land well and do a good job in seed selection and seedling raising, because white peony is a perennial root and rhizome type Chinese medicinal material. If the planting foundation is not laid well, it will directly affect the difficulty of management during the future growth period.
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