Key Techniques for Planting Peonies
Here is a brief knowledge piece about the key techniques for planting peonies and the cultivation methods of peony flowers. Let's learn about it together.
Peonies are renowned for their national beauty, with Liu Yuxi of the Tang Dynasty praising them as "a bloom that stirs the capital when in season." Since records began, they have been widely loved by the people. 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, often used by experienced gardeners; seeding takes a long time and is prone to reversion, making it less common in home cultivation. Below is a detailed introduction.
I. Division Method
The timing for division is generally between the Autumn 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 for one or two days. Then, cut according to the root texture and size, ensuring complete separation and retaining the suckers at the neck. After these steps, the divided plants can be planted in the soil.
II. Grafting Method
It is divided into two types depending on the rootstock used: wild peony and peony root. Cut a 5-10CM long branch from the mother plant as the scion, with a diameter of 0.5CM or more, and bearing 2-3 plump 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 seeding, soak the seeds in a gibberellin solution for 2 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 pick up the seeds, place them in a damp cloth to germinate, and after about half a month, the seeds will sprout 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 a full four to five years from seeding to blooming, which is not only time-consuming but also prone to reversion. Therefore, this method is less commonly used in home potted cultivation.
The above content covers the key techniques for planting peonies and the cultivation methods of peony flowers. Have green enthusiasts understood it all?