How to plant peony seeds
The web tells everyone about how to plant peony seeds and the knowledge of peony seed planting methods and timing for flower cultivation. Next, the editor will introduce them.
Peony is a perennial herbaceous flower of the genus Paeonia in the Ranunculaceae family. Also known as "leaving", "parting grass", "springtail", "excess", "radish food", "boneless flower", "black pull grass", etc., peony is one of the oldest traditional famous flowers in China, known as one of the "top ten famous flowers" and also called the "May Flower God". The peony blooming season is from May to June. Peony varieties have a rich range of colors, including white, pink, red, purple, yellow, green, black, and bicolors. The flower diameter is 10-30 centimeters, and the petals can reach more than a hundred. Peony roots are extremely cold-resistant and can be cultivated in the open in the northern regions. They thrive in a sunny and spacious area and grow poorly in the shade. Peony is a flower loved by many for planting, and almost every household in our village has it planted in their courtyard. Peony flowers can be appreciated, and the roots can be used as Chinese herbal medicine for utilization or sale. How to cultivate and care for peony flowers?
Firstly, the propagation methods of peony, the main propagation method of peony is division, and it can also be propagated by播种. Currently, division is mainly used. As the saying goes, "Divide peony in spring and it won't bloom until old age," indicating that peony is most averse to division during the spring equinox. It is usually divided in September and October in autumn. When dividing, first cut off the withered stems above the ground, then dig up the entire peony plant, taking care not to damage the fine roots. Shake off the attached soil, then separate naturally, mainly by hand. Leave 3-5 buds per cluster during division, and cut off the decayed roots. Apply sulfur powder to the cut ends to prevent the invasion of pathogens. Finally, place the plant in the center of the planting hole, straighten it up, spread the roots, and press the soil halfway up. When planting, it should not be too deep, keeping the rootstock level with the ground. It is suitable for the root neck to be 2-3 centimeters below the soil surface. Planting too shallow affects survival, and planting too deep affects the growth of peony after transplanting. After planting, water thoroughly and then cover the soil for the winter.
Peony is also propagated by播种 method. Peony seeds are harvested in August after maturation and sown directly in September and October. They must go through a cold winter, and seedlings emerge in the second spring. The seedlings grow slowly and it takes about 4-5 years to bloom. Due to the long cultivation time, seed propagation is not commonly used, and division is preferred.
Secondly, the cultivation of peony. When cultivating in the courtyard, choose a place with good ventilation, sun exposure, and good drainage. The soil should be fertile, loose, moist, and rich in humus. Peony roots are deep, so the courtyard needs to be deeply cultivated and ample base fertilizer applied. For pot cultivation, use loose and fertile potting soil mixed with an appropriate amount of bone meal or superphosphate. Do not let peony roots come into contact with fertilizer. When planting, ensure the top of the peony rhizome is upward, and cover the buds with 3-5 centimeters of soil, level with the ground or pot surface. The planting should not be too deep or too shallow. Too deep planting results in slow germination, poor growth, weak stems, and flowers that are not bright. Too shallow planting can expose the roots to direct sunlight and make the plant prone to lodging.
Thirdly, daily management. Peony cultivation is simple and easy. After planting, water thoroughly the first time. For ground cultivation, water less frequently, keeping the soil slightly moist, and water promptly during dry weather. For pot cultivation, keep the soil moist.
Peony plants start to germinate in mid-March. In mid-to-late March, remove the mulch and water the soil once. In early April, apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer after the seedlings emerge. In early May, when the flower buds grow rapidly, apply the second fertilizer before the color of the flower buds appears, usually with decomposed cake fertilizer diluted with three parts water. Half a month after the flowers fade, in late June, apply the third fertilizer, also with decomposed cake fertilizer diluted with three parts water. In mid-to-late May, when the peony flower buds grow to 1-1.5 centimeters, remove the side buds to allow nutrients to concentrate on the terminal bud, resulting in larger and brighter flowers. Remove dense terminal buds. When flowering, support plants that are prone to lodging. After mid-October, peony enters the dormant period. Cut off the withered plants and apply fertilizer, then water thoroughly. Before winter, remove the withered branches and leaves, water once more, and cover the roots with soil to spend the winter. The plants should be divided every 4-5 years, changing the soil or planting location during division.
Have you understood the detailed introduction of how to plant peony seeds and the methods and timing of peony seed planting shared above?