When do Luoyang Peony Blossoms
As the leader among China's four famous flowers, Luoyang peony attracts millions of visitors every year. This land, which has carried the flower events of thousands of years, not only continues the flower culture of the prosperous Tang Dynasty but also revives the national color and fragrance with modern cultivation techniques. Mastering the blooming patterns and care tips of peonies is the key to witnessing the most perfect flowering scenery.
Evolution of Peony Bloom Patterns
Annual Flower News Timeline
According to the continuous 10-year observation data from the Luoyang City Flower Research Institute, the group blooming period of peonies is concentrated from April 5th to May 5th, and can be divided into three observation stages:• Early blooming varieties (April 5-15): Qinglong Wu Mo Chi, Zhao Fen, etc.• Mid-blooming varieties (April 10-25): Yao Huang, Wei Zi, etc. traditional famous varieties• Late blooming varieties (April 20-May 5): Hai Huang, Dao Jin, etc. newly cultivated varietiesIn 2019, due to the unusually warm spring, the entire blooming period was 5 days earlier; in 2021, the late spring frost delayed it by 8 days, confirming the significant impact of temperature on the blooming period.
Analysis of Meteorological Elements Impact
The accumulated temperature effect dominates the differentiation process of flower buds. When the average day and night temperature is stable above 10°C, the flower buds enter the rapid growth stage. Peony plants have a unique temperature memory mechanism, requiring more than 30 days of 5°C low temperature in winter to complete vernalization. The warm winter of 2018 led to abnormal flowering in 30% of the plants, highlighting the importance of the low-temperature stage.
Professional-Level Flowering Period Management Techniques
Light Control Program
Using a double-layer shading net system, maintaining an ideal illuminance of 15,000-25,000Lux. From 10 am to 3 pm, a 50% shading rate net curtain is used, which can prevent strong light from burning the petals and ensure the efficiency of photosynthesis. The shading facilities need to be removed promptly during cloudy and rainy weather.
Flower Bud Optimization Strategy
Retaining 2-3 main flower buds per branch is the best, leaving the top full flower buds during the thinning process. During the full bloom period, inspect every three days, promptly removing the faded flowers, which can extend the overall flowering period by 3-5 days. After adopting this technique, Wangcheng Park has achieved a single plant observation period of more than 18 days.
Accurate Water Control
Maintain soil moisture at 40%-50% during the budding period, and reduce it to 30%-35% during the flowering period. Using a drip irrigation system combined with soil moisture sensors, precise water supply is achieved. Special attention should be paid to avoiding water on the flowers, using a high-pressure air gun to blow off the accumulated water on the petals immediately after heavy rain.
Through scientific maintenance combined with climate observation, Luoyang peonies are continuously breaking through the natural flowering period limitations. In 2023, the International Peony Garden has achieved three-season blooming for some varieties, and in the future, through genetic improvement and facility cultivation, the vision of enjoying peonies all year round is within reach.