Paeonia Flower Planting Time and Method
This article shares some small life experiences about planting Paeonia flowers and techniques for home potting, as well as some knowledge about flower care. Below, the editor will provide a detailed explanation for you.
As the saying goes, "July for Paeonia, August for牡丹," this refers to the fact that in Heze, the origin of Paeonia and牡丹, the seventh and eighth lunar months are the most suitable for planting these flowers. In fact, in most areas, from the end of summer heat to the autumnal equinox, which is from late August to late September, it is possible to plant Paeonia and牡丹. In the northern regions, where autumn arrives early, the planting time is earlier, while in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai areas, planting usually happens around the Mid-Autumn Festival. Southern regions without low winter temperatures are not suitable for planting.
Is it better to plant Paeonia in autumn or spring?
Many flower enthusiasts only think of planting Paeonia when they see beautiful Paeonia flowers, so they often buy Paeonia root tubers in spring. After several years of planting, they still only grow leaves and do not bloom.
There is a saying about Paeonia: "Planting Paeonia at the spring equinox will result in no flowers in old age." This shows that spring is not suitable for planting Paeonia. The growth pattern of Paeonia flowers is as follows: they sprout in spring, nap in summer, and develop roots in autumn. Therefore, transplanting Paeonia in autumn will promote rapid root growth, which is more beneficial for their growth in spring.
It is worth noting that whether Paeonia planted in autumn can bloom in the first year is largely related to the variety. Generally speaking, double-layered Paeonia varieties require more nutrients to bloom and often fail to bloom in the first year after planting. However, single-layered varieties can bloom slightly in the first spring after transplanting if the root tubers are large enough.
Method of Planting Paeonia Flowers
Planting Paeonia flowers is very simple, as they are easy to grow and thrive in soil, especially suitable for ground planting. After transplanting, they require almost no care and can bloom year after year, producing more flowers each time. They are a perfect choice for新手 flower enthusiasts, offering beautiful blooms and requiring minimal maintenance.
Although Paeonia flowers are easy to plant, there are a few points you should be aware of before planting.
1. Do not plant bare-root Paeonia except in autumn
As mentioned earlier, Paeonia develops roots in autumn. Bare-root Paeonia can only be planted in autumn. They can also be planted in winter if the temperature remains warm, such as in a greenhouse. Most home plantings are done in autumn.
If planting in spring, you can only plant pot-grown seedlings with soil and original root balls to avoid root damage. Potted Paeonia is not commonly sold, and there are many fake Paeonia root tubers in spring, so be sure to distinguish between them.
2. Plant in the ground as much as possible
Paeonia is more suitable for ground planting. Ground-planted Paeonia requires almost no care and can bloom every year without much intervention. If potting, it is recommended to use a large pot. The biggest issue with potting Paeonia is how to water it in winter.
Many flower enthusiasts find their Paeonia pot empty in spring due to overwatering. Therefore, if you have potted Paeonia outdoors in winter, you can skip watering, relying on natural rainfall. If it doesn't rain, water only a small amount along the edge of the pot when the soil is dry. In summary, less water is better than too much.
3. Do not plant upside down
Last year, many flower enthusiasts planted Paeonia upside down because the bare-root Paeonia tubers have a small bud point and many roots. Some people who have never planted before can't distinguish between the top and bottom and end up planting the bud point downwards and the roots upwards. When planting, make sure the bud point is upwards and cover it with 2-3 cm of soil.
For potted Paeonia, to reduce the risk of root rot in winter, you can soak the root tubers in carbendazim before planting. For ground planting, you can plant them directly. Whether potting or ground planting, water once after planting. For ground planting, no further watering is needed, while for potting, it's better to keep the soil dry rather than wet.
4. Do not trample during dormancy
Paeonia is in a dormant state in autumn and winter and will not sprout. So after planting, if no buds appear, there's no need to worry, as this is a normal state. Ground-planted Paeonia should be protected in autumn and winter because there's nothing on the ground, and it's easy to overlook. Frequent trampling or digging can affect the growth of Paeonia.
5. Do not pinch the top after germination in spring
In spring, Paeonia sprouts grow very fast and shoot up straight. Many flower enthusiasts think of pinching the top to promote branching or dwarfing the plant. However, this is not recommended as pinching the top will affect flowering and result in no flowers to admire. Please be careful.
The detailed explanation above about Paeonia planting time and methods, as well as home potting techniques, is hoped to provide you with help in green plant management!