Detailed Explanation of Peony Cultivation Techniques and Growing Methods

Peony, also known as Baishao, Hangshao, Baishao, Chuanshao, etc., is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Ranunculaceae family. Its flowers are large and beautiful, and its roots are used in medicine to calm liver yang, nourish yin and blood, and reduce sweating and ease the middle. Its cultivation techniques are as follows:

Land Preparation and Base Fertilizer Application

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

Seed Selection and Propagation

Peony propagation includes division propagation and seed propagation, among other methods, but 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 clusters with buds (also called peony heads) for seed use. Divide the buds used for seed into sections according to size and natural growth shape (also called peony buds), with each section preferably having 2-3 robust buds and a thickness of about 2 cm. The peony buds from one mu of peony roots 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, earlier rather than later, 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 peony. To achieve uniform emergence and facilitate management, the peony buds should be graded by size and planted in holes. The row spacing is 50 cm × 30 cm, the hole depth is 12 cm, and the diameter is 20 cm; first pour enough water into the hole, and after the water seeps down, spread 4 cm of decomposed barnyard manure on 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, with 1-2 peony buds per hole. After planting, mound soil 10-15 cm high around each hole. Before overwintering, water thoroughly to prevent freezing.

Cultivation and Weeding

In early spring of the following year, after the soil thaws, remove the mounded soil in time and loosen the soil to preserve moisture, so as to facilitate emergence. Within 2 years after the seedlings emerge, cultivate and weed 3-4 times each year; thereafter, weed 4-6 times each year from bud break until the rows close. In summer drought, cultivate to preserve moisture; in winter, combine cultivation with a thorough cleaning of the garden to reduce pests and diseases.

Fertilizer and Water Management

Peony is a fertilizer-loving crop. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, from the 2nd year after planting, topdressing is needed 3 times each year; the 1st time after cultivation and weeding in mid-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 dryness and fears waterlogging, so it generally does not need watering, and only needs one thorough irrigation in 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 Cutting and Bud Removal

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

Pest and Disease Control

The pests and diseases harming peonies include gray mold, rust, soft rot, white grubs, cutworms, and others. Gray mold can be controlled with metalaxyl, Bordeaux mixture, etc.; rust can be controlled with triadimefon, diniconazole, propiconazole, etc.; soft rot can be controlled with agricultural streptomycin, mancozeb, kasugamycin, etc.; white grubs, cutworms, and others can be controlled with phorate, phoxim, carbofuran, and other pesticides by root drenching or broadcast application along the rows.

Harvesting and Processing

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