The cultivation methods and fertilization care for peony flowers
Let me tell you about the cultivation methods and fertilization care for peony flowers, as well as related experiences in flower planting and cultivation management of peonies. Let's learn about them together.
Peony flowers are graceful and elegant in appearance, with beautiful branches and leaves, and are known for their "national color and fragrance" reputation. They rank second among the top ten famous flowers in China and are被誉为 the king of flowers representing wealth and auspiciousness. Peony flowers are large and fragrant, and when planted in gardens or on balconies, they are particularly vibrant and attractive; potted in living rooms or studies, they are dignified and majestic, filling the room with brilliance and showcasing the owner's opulence.
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 growing peonies in pots at home.
1. Temperature and lighting should be suitable. Peony flowers prefer a warm, slightly dry, and sunlit growing environment and are not tolerant of high temperatures and humidity. The suitable growing temperature is around 15-25 degrees Celsius. Especially in summer, avoid direct sunlight and especially avoid sunburn, so proper shading and sun protection should be done in summer to prevent damage from the hot sun.
2. Soil selection needs to be careful. Different flowers have different soil requirements, especially in terms of breathability and fertility. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the selection of soil for peony cultivation. 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. Flower pots can be 15-20 centimeters in diameter, while multi-year large plants should use pots 40-50 centimeters in diameter, with a depth of about 50 centimeters to ensure the peony roots grow strong and healthy.
3. Watering and fertilizing should be appropriate. As we all know, watering is the first factor in raising flowers well, and excessive watering is the number one "killer" of flower cultivation failure. Therefore, when watering peony flowers, it is best not to water until the soil is dry and to 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 temperatures and humidity, water early in the morning or in the evening; during the plum rain season, water less. 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's leaf-fall period, cut off the thick branches above the flower buds. To cultivate large flowers, remove the wilted flowers, and properly remove flower buds to limit the number of flowers. In autumn and winter, cut off the faded flowers, dry flower stems, and weak branches and leaves to accumulate energy for the next year's bloom.
5. Disease and pest control need to be followed. Peony flowers are prone to red spot disease, brown spot disease, and gray mold disease. In spring and summer, spray a mixture of insecticidal and fungicidal agents on peonies while watering. If diseases and pests are severe, spray a mixed fungicidal and insecticidal agent every half month to prevent the spread of pathogens and infection of the entire plant.
The propagation methods of peonies: 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 connected parts of the roots with a knife, plant the roots upright without twisting, layer the soil, 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 sprout will emerge from the soil. By the next February or March, sprouts will grow out of the ground, and after 3-5 years of cultivation, they can bloom.
The above is a complete introduction to the cultivation methods, fertilization care, and cultivation management of peony flowers. I hope it can be helpful to you. Don't forget to visit more experience and common sense!