How to grow peonies to make them thrive
Introduction: This article shares experience on how to grow peonies well and some tips for maintaining the green plants, with the editor introducing the following.
Peonies are magnificent, elegant in flower posture, and graceful in leaves, known as the "national color and fragrance," ranking second among the top ten famous flowers in China, and被誉为 the king of flowers symbolizing wealth and auspiciousness. The large and fragrant peony flowers are particularly vibrant and striking when planted in courtyards and balconies; potted in living rooms and studies, they are dignified and generous, illuminating the entire room and showcasing the owner's prosperity.
However, many families do not know how to care for their peony flowers properly. Below, we share some tips and requirements for growing peonies in pots at home.
1. Temperature and lighting should be suitable. Peonies prefer a warm, slightly dry, and sunny growing environment and do not tolerate high temperatures and humidity. The optimal growing temperature is around 15-25 degrees Celsius. Especially in summer, avoid direct sunlight and sunburn, so proper shading and sun protection should be done to prevent scorching.
2. Soil selection requires careful consideration. Different plants have different soil requirements, especially in terms of breathability and fertility. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the selection of soil for growing peonies. The soil for planting peonies should be fertile, breathable, and well-draining neutral sandy loam, avoiding alkaline, acidic, and heavy clay 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 require pots 40-50 centimeters in diameter, with a depth of about 50 centimeters to ensure the peony roots grow strong.
3. Watering and fertilizing should be done appropriately. Everyone knows that watering is the primary factor in growing flowers well, and excessive watering is the number one "killer" of failed plant care. Therefore, when watering peonies, follow the principle of not watering until dry, and adjust watering based on seasonal and weather changes. Water more during dry spring and autumn seasons, but avoid waterlogging in the pot. In summer, with high temperature and humidity, water in the morning and 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-falling period, cut off the thick branches from above the flower buds. To cultivate large flowers, remove the wilted flowers and some flower buds to limit 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 next year's bloom.
5. Pest and disease control is necessary. Peonies are prone to red spot disease, brown spot disease, and gray mold disease. In spring and summer, spray a mixture of insecticides and fungicides on peonies while watering. If pests and diseases are severe, spray a mixed insecticide and fungicide every half month to prevent the spread of pathogens and infect the entire plant.
Propagation methods for peonies: One is division propagation. Every autumn, select large clusters of 4-5-year-old plants, remove the soil from the roots, place them in a loud place to air-dry for 2-3 days, cut the connecting parts of the roots with a knife, plant the roots upright without twisting, layer the soil, and water thoroughly once. The second is by seeding. Sow seeds immediately after harvesting in autumn. The planting depth should be about 2-5 centimeters, with the soil covered flat. One month later, radicles can grow, but no seedlings will emerge from the soil. By the following February or March, seedlings will emerge and grow, and it will take 3-5 years to bloom.
The above information on how to grow peonies well and some small experiences in growing green flowers can hopefully bring help to your life!