How to Plant Peonies Properly
This article focuses on how to plant peonies properly, as well as the planting methods and maintenance of peony seedlings and green plants, which will certainly be helpful to you. Let's learn about it together!
Peonies are known for their national beauty, with Liu Yuxi of the Tang Dynasty praising them as "a blooming season that shakes the capital." They have been widely loved by the people since records began. The main planting methods for peonies include division, seeding, and grafting. Among these, division is the most common and widely used; grafting requires higher technical skills and is often used by experienced gardeners; seeding takes a long time and is prone to reversion, making it less commonly used in home cultivation. Below is a detailed introduction.
I. Division Method
The timing for division is usually between the autumnal equinox and frost descent to minimize the impact of temperature on the root growth of the plant. First, select a strong peony plant that has been growing for more than three years as the mother plant, dig it up with the roots, remove the soil from the roots, and let it dry in the sun for one or two days. Next, cut the roots according to the texture and size, ensuring complete separation and retaining the buds at the neck. After these steps, you can plant the divided parts in the soil.
II. Grafting Method
Depending on the type of rootstock used, it is divided into wild peony and peony root. Cut a 5-10CM long branch from the mother plant as the scion, with a diameter of more than 0.5CM and 2-3 full buds, and graft it onto the rootstock. There are currently three common grafting methods: slot grafting, side grafting, and bud grafting. Beginners can ask experienced gardeners for help.
III. Seeding Method
Before sowing, soak the seeds in a gibberellin solution for two days, with a solution concentration of 1%. After disinfection, soak the seeds in warm water at 25 degrees, changing the water once a day for about 1-2 days. Then, take out the seeds, place them in a damp cloth to germinate, and after about half a month, the seeds will develop white spots. At this point, they can be sown in the soil, covered with 3-4CM of soil, and kept moist. The following spring, the seeds will start to sprout. It takes about four to five years for peonies to bloom from seeding, which is not only time-consuming but also prone to reversion. Therefore, this method is less commonly used in home potted cultivation.
The detailed explanation provided above on how to plant peonies properly and the planting methods and maintenance of peony seedlings is for reference and suggestion only.