A detailed guide to peony cultivation techniques: master all planting and management methods

PeonyThe best planting time for peonies is from late September to early October. The planting site should be chosen in a spot sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, with deep soil and high, dry terrain. Before planting, the soil should be deeply turned (to a depth of more than 30 cm), and fully decomposed organic fertilizer, bone meal and a small amount of insecticide should be applied, then covered with a thin layer of soil to prevent the roots from coming into direct contact with the fertilizer and rotting.

When dividing and replanting, the clump should not be too small, otherwise it will not bloom the following year. The planting depth should be 3 cm-4 cm above the buds; too shallow makes them prone to frost damage, while too deep makes sprouting difficult. After planting, water thoroughly once. On the evening of the next day, do a shallow hoeing to keep the soil well aerated. In regions with severe winter cold, after winter sets in, mound about 20 cm-25 cm of soil over the planting holes to help them overwinter safely.

In the spring of the following year, after the soil thaws, promptly remove the mounded soil. When new buds sprout, fertilize and water immediately, and carry out hoeing and weeding. When the new shoots grow to about 10 cm, bud thinning should be done, removing overly dense, thin and weak buds. If too many buds are kept, the flowers will be small. As the buds grow taller, leaves unfold, and buds begin to form, by early April, when the buds are the size of cherries, promptly thin out the side buds so that nutrients are concentrated on supplying the development and growth of the main bud; this way the flowers will be plump and full, large and richly colored. For varieties with thin, weak stems, stakes should be set up to prevent lodging.