What kind of soil is suitable for planting peonies?
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Peony flowers are majestic and elegant, with beautiful branches and leaves, and are known as the "national color and fragrance," ranking second among the top ten famous flowers in China, and are被誉为 the king of flowers representing wealth and auspiciousness. The large and fragrant peony flowers are especially vibrant and attractive when planted in courtyards and balconies; potted plants placed in living rooms and studies are dignified and elegant, filling the room with brilliance, showcasing the grandeur of the host's home.
However, many families do not know how to care for their peony flowers properly. Below, I will share with flower enthusiasts the cultivation methods and requirements for peonies in pots at home.
1. Temperature and light should be suitable. Peonies prefer a warm, slightly dry, and sunny growing environment and do not tolerate high temperatures and humidity. The suitable growing temperature is around 15-25 degrees Celsius. Especially in summer, it is important to avoid direct sunlight, especially avoid sunburn, so proper shading and sun protection should be done in summer to prevent sunburn.
2. Soil selection needs careful consideration. Different plants have different soil requirements, especially in terms of breathability and fertility, so special attention should be given to the selection of soil for planting peonies. The soil for planting peonies should be fertile, breathable, and well-draining neutral sandy loam, avoiding alkaline, acidic, and heavy clayey soils. For home potted peonies, a mixture of fertile humus soil, garden soil, and coarse river sand can be used. Pots with a diameter of 15-20 centimeters can be used, and for perennial large plants, pots with a diameter of 40-50 centimeters and a depth of about 50 centimeters should be used to ensure the healthy growth of the peony roots.
3. Watering and fertilizing should be done properly. As we know, watering is the primary factor in caring for flowers, and excessive watering is the number one "killer" of flower cultivation. Therefore, when watering peony flowers, it is best to water only when necessary and adjust watering based on seasonal and weather changes. More watering is needed during dry spring and autumn seasons, but avoid waterlogging in the pot. In summer, with high temperature and humidity, it is suitable to water in the morning and evening; less watering is needed during the plum rain season. Peonies should be fertilized at least three times a year, with an additional application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer before flowering and a compound fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium after flowering.
4. Pruning after flowering should be timely. During the peony defoliation period, cut off the thick branches from above the flower buds. To cultivate large flowers, remove the withered flowers, and appropriately remove flower buds to suppress the number of flowers. In autumn and winter, cut off the withered flowers, dry flower stems, and weak branches and leaves to accumulate energy for the next year's flowering.
5. Disease and pest control need to be kept up. Peonies are prone to red spot disease, brown spot disease, and gray mold disease. In spring and summer, spray mixed pesticides for pest and disease control on peonies while watering. If diseases and pests are severe, spray mixed pesticides for pest and disease control every half month to prevent the spread of pathogens and infection of the entire plant.
Peony propagation methods: One is division propagation. Every autumn, select large clusters of 4-5-year-old plants, remove the attached soil from the roots, place them in a loud place to dry the roots for 2-3 days, cut the connecting parts of the roots with a knife, plant the roots vertically without twisting, layer the soil firmly, and water thoroughly once. The second is seeding. Sow the seeds immediately after harvesting in autumn. The planting depth is about 2-5 centimeters, cover the soil flat, and after one month, the radicle can grow, but no bud will emerge from the soil. By the next 2-3 months, the seedlings will germinate and grow, and they can bloom after 3-5 years of cultivation.
The detailed explanation shared above about what kind of soil is suitable for planting peonies and the methods and techniques of peony cultivation and care, I hope this article can bring you help in green plant management!