How to Grow Peonies? Detailed Explanation of Cultivation Methods and Management

Peony, also known as white peony, Hangzhou peony, Bozhou peony, Sichuan peony, etc., is a perennial herbaceous plant of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Its flowers are large and beautiful, and its roots are used in medicine to calm liver yang, astringe yin and nourish blood, and stop sweating and soothe the middle. Its cultivation techniques are as follows:

Land preparation and basal fertilizer application

Choose a field of sandy loam soil with a thick soil layer, a low groundwater table, good drainage, and a loose, fertile texture. Evenly broadcast 3000-4000 kg of high-quality organic fertilizer and 50-60 kg of NPK compound fertilizer per mu as basal fertilizer, plow 60 cm deep, and harrow fine and level.

Seed selection and propagation

Peony propagation includes methods such as root division propagation and seed propagation, but root division propagation is mostly used in production. In autumn, when harvesting peonies, select peony plants with thick, long, uniform roots, robust terminal buds, and no pests or diseases; cut off the large roots with a diameter of more than 0.5 cm for medicinal use, and keep the root clumps with bud heads (also called peony heads) for seed use. Divide the bud heads used for seed according to size and natural growth shape into blocks (also called peony buds), each block preferably with 2-3 robust buds and a thickness of about 2 cm. The peony buds from the peony roots of one mu can be planted in 3-5 mu of field. Peony buds should be planted as soon as they are cut; if they cannot all be planted at once, the peony buds can be stored in a wet sand pit 20 cm deep.

Planting and watering

Generally plant from late August to September, the earlier the better, and no later than late October, otherwise the peony buds will have already developed new roots, which will affect the yield and quality of the peonies. To achieve uniform emergence and facilitate management, the peony buds should be graded by size and planted in holes. Planting row spacing is 50 cm x 30 cm, hole depth 12 cm, diameter 20 cm; first pour enough water into the hole, and after the water seeps down, spread 4 cm of decomposed stable manure at the bottom of the hole, cover it with 4 cm of soil, compact it, then place the peony buds with the bud tips facing up in the middle of the hole, placing 1-2 peony buds per hole. After planting, earth up 10-15 cm high per hole. Before overwintering, water thoroughly to prevent frost damage.

Intertillage and weeding

After the soil thaws in early spring of the following year, remove the earthing promptly and loosen the soil to preserve moisture, so as to facilitate emergence. Within 2 years after the seedlings emerge, intertillage and weeding should be done 3-4 times each year; afterward, from plant sprouting until the rows close, weeding should be done 4-6 times each year. In summer drought, intertillage should be done to preserve moisture; in winter, combined with intertillage, carry out a thorough orchard cleaning to reduce pests and diseases.

Fertilizer and water management

Peony is a fertilizer-loving crop. In addition to applying sufficient basal fertilizer, starting from the 2nd year after planting, topdressing is needed 3 times each year; the 1st time after intertillage and weeding in March, apply 1500-2000 kg of human and livestock manure water per mu; the 2nd and 3rd times are in May and July respectively, each time applying 1500 kg of human and livestock manure water and 25-30 kg of cake fertilizer per mu, or 40-60 kg of NPK compound fertilizer. Peony likes dry conditions and fears waterlogging, so watering is generally not needed, only one thorough irrigation during severe drought. In rainy seasons, ditches must be cleared for drainage, otherwise after 6 hours of flooding the roots will rot and the whole plant will die.

Flower pruning and bud removal

Medicinal peonies bloom in the 3rd year after planting. After blooming, except for plants retained for seed, in the morning from late April to early May, gently cut off the newly opening flower buds from the base of the flower stem, for use as vase flowers or cut flowers, so as to concentrate nutrients to supply the growth needs of the roots.

Pest and disease control

Pests and diseases harmful to peonies include gray mold, rust, soft rot, white grubs, cutworms, and so on. Gray mold can be controlled with metalaxyl, Bordeaux mixture, etc.; rust can be controlled with triadimefon, oxadixyl, difenoconazole, etc.; soft rot can be controlled with agricultural streptomycin, mancozeb, kasugamycin, etc.; white grubs, cutworms, and so on can be controlled by root drenching or broadcast application along the rows with agents such as isofenphos-methyl, phoxim, and carbofuran.

Harvesting and processing

Generally in August-September of the 4th year after planting, choose a sunny day to harvest the old roots of peonies. When harvesting, first cut off the stems and leaves of the plants, then dig out the entire roots, remove the soil, and cut off the main roots and lateral roots for processing.