Why do peonies divided at the spring equinox never bloom, even when old? How do you grow them well?

Peony (Paeonia lactiflora), as one of the four famous flowers, has a graceful and charming posture when it blooms, and its flowers are large and gorgeous. However, in peony care there is a saying: "Divide a peony at the spring equinox, and it will never bloom even when old." How can we grow this kind of flower well?

"Divide a peony at the spring equinox, and it will never bloom even when old" is a proverb among flower growers. It means: if you divide and replant peonies at the spring equinox, they will never bloom even when old. Although "never bloom even when old" is a bit of an exaggeration, it still correctly tells flower lovers that peonies should not be divided in spring.

Therefore, if flower lovers want to divide peonies during care, it must be done in autumn, preferably from mid-September to early October. At this time the new buds have already formed, and the soil temperature is higher than the air temperature, which helps the root wounds heal after division, encourages new roots to sprout, and strengthens cold and drought resistance for overwintering. Division should not be too late, otherwise new roots will not develop and the plant may easily die over winter.

In addition, in early spring in March, the underground rhizome of the peony sprouts. After sprouting, the plant grows very quickly and soon produces flower buds, which requires a lot of nutrients. If division is carried out at this time, the wounds cannot heal quickly, no new roots grow, and the nutrient supply is insufficient, so the plant's sprouting and growth are hindered, and of course it is even less likely to bloom.

So how do you grow peonies well? Peonies have strong adaptability, are easy to cultivate, and are simple to manage, making them a traditional flower that the public loves to grow. They are cold-hardy and can overwinter outdoors in all northern provinces of our country. Places with cool summers are especially suitable. They like full sunlight and can tolerate slight shade; when light is insufficient they can still bloom, but their growth is not luxuriant.

They grow best in deep, fertile, moist, and well-drained soil; clay soil, sandy soil, saline-alkali soil, and low-lying land are not suitable for planting. Peonies are best suited to open-field cultivation.

Flower lovers can choose a wind-sheltered, sunny, high-lying spot and dig the soil 40~50 cm deep. Apply a sufficient amount of fully fermented and decomposed organic chicken manure granular fertilizer as a base fertilizer. Do not plant too deep or too shallow; the bud tip should be 3~4 cm below the soil surface. If too deep, sprouting is difficult. If too shallow, the root crown is exposed and the plant easily dies.

After planting, press the soil firm and level it, then pile a small mound of soil more than 10 cm high on the surface. On one hand this protects against cold and keeps warmth; on the other hand it serves as a marker. In early spring in March, remove the protective soil mound. The peony will soon sprout and form buds.

At this stage it needs a large amount of nutrients, so watering and fertilizing must keep up. Generally, during leaf expansion, bud formation, and the period of new bud formation after flowering, apply 2~3 times a general-purpose liquid flower fertilizer mainly based on phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Usually pay attention to keeping the soil moist.

Besides the terminal bud, peony flower stems often form 3~4 side buds. To make the terminal bud bloom large and vivid, the side buds can be removed. After flowering, promptly cut off the faded flowers to avoid seed formation consuming nutrients.

After 5-6 years of cultivation, peonies should be divided and replanted to rejuvenate them. In years when they are not divided, cut off the withered branches and leaves after autumn, apply organic fertilizer around the plant, water with antifreeze water, and mound soil for overwintering.

Image from flower lover: Momo 926252