Remember these 2 points when potting peonies: fast root growth and more blooms

09. Remember these 2 points when potting peonies, and they will grow roots fast and bloom abundantly!

This is the 9th article in the original "Peony Cultivation" column by Lanyao

Yesterday Lanyao talked about how to treat the roots before potting peonies, so today Lanyao will continue to explain the specific potting method for peonies.

The correct way to pot peonies

The most important part of potting a peony is treating the roots. The specific method was explained yesterday, so if you missed it, you can go back and read it again.

1. Make a drainage layer

Peonies have fleshy roots and prefer dry conditions over wet ones, so when potting, making a drainage layer is very necessary.

For the drainage layer, you can use crushed stones, tile shards, etc., or expanded clay pebbles, walnut shells, etc. You can simply choose according to the materials you have on hand.

2. Potting

After making the drainage layer, you can first add potting soil to 1/4 the height of the pot, then add base fertilizer, and then mix the base fertilizer and soil together, trying to mix them as evenly as possible. You can also mix the base fertilizer and potting soil in advance, then fill it in.

For the base fertilizer, you can use fermented organic fertilizer, such as fermented chicken manure, fermented sheep manure, fermented worm castings, compost, leaf mold, bone meal, fish meal, etc.

After adding the base fertilizer, cover it with a layer of fertilizer-free soil, then place the peony in, and continue filling with soil. Note that the peony roots should be spread out as much as possible, not all crowded together.

While filling with soil, tap the edge of the pot so that the potting soil and peony roots are closely combined.

Note:

The mixed potting soil should be slightly moist. Do not use dry soil. After any substrate dries out completely, it is very difficult to water it thoroughly. When potting, you should use slightly moist potting soil for planting.

3. Make a top dressing layer

After planting, to prevent the peony potting soil from becoming compacted due to frequent watering later on, you can make a top dressing layer on the surface of the potting soil.

For the top dressing, you can choose large-particle expanded clay pebbles, or you can use dry grass. Lanyao recommends using dry moss, which is also very good. It can reduce excessive evaporation of water, can also prevent the potting soil from compacting, and it is clean, will not rot, and is convenient to remove to observe whether the potting soil is dry or wet.

4. Acclimation

After planting, place the peony pot in a bright area with indirect light and keep it ventilated.

5. Watering to settle the roots

After 3-5 days, water once more to settle the roots, then gradually move it to a sunny place for care. After that, water only when the potting soil is obviously dry. Peonies are dormant in winter and need very little water, so be sure to water less.

If it is a large pot, watering 1-2 times for the entire winter is enough. In short, remember: better dry than wet.

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