Pink Peony Propagation Methods
You may not be familiar with the introduction to the propagation of the pink peony. Let's continue reading to learn about the propagation methods of the pink peony!
The pink peony is mainly propagated by grafting. It can be done all year round in a greenhouse, with spring or early summer being the best time, as it heals quickly and has a higher survival rate. Choose a strong and tender rootstock (commonly used is the Cereus, but cacti, candelabra cacti, and tiger thorns can also be used), flatten the top for备用; select a vigorous daughter bulb about 1 cm in diameter from the mother plant as the scion, peel it off, and flatten it with a sterile sharp knife, then tightly press the bulb against the cut of the rootstock, align the center of the bulb with the center column of the rootstock, tie it with a thin thread or thin rubber band, and adjust the tightness. Cultivate at room temperature of 25-30°C, loosen the band after 7-10 days, and continue to cultivate for another two weeks. If the joint is intact, it indicates that it has survived. Generally, it can be appreciated two months after grafting.
During the growth period, spray water on the bulb every 1-2 days to make the red bulb fresher and brighter. It should be placed in sufficient sunlight to keep the bulb red. In winter or during long periods of rainy and snowy weather with insufficient sunlight, supplemental lighting should be provided. However, it should be slightly shaded when the sunlight is too strong. Apply decomposed cake fertilizer or a few granular fertilizers every ten days during the growth period. Repot every May, adding fresh and fertile leaf mold, sand, and peat. It is advisable to update every 3-4 years.
The key points for home cultivation are threefold: 1) Overwintering, 2) Preventing and controlling red spider mite damage, 3) The pink peony is generally propagated by grafting. In northern regions, attention should be paid to both insulation and sunlight during overwintering. It is best to choose a south-facing balcony and use cotton curtains for insulation at night. Homes with 24-hour heating are relatively easy to manage. Red spider mites pose a significant threat to the pink peony bulb, especially in hot and rainy seasons, where they spread rapidly and can turn the entire bulb gray-brown, losing its ornamental value, and even causing death in severe cases. Appropriate chemicals should be selected for prevention and treatment, and drugs such as carbendazim should be applied to prevent diseases caused by pests; strong and robust varieties should be selected the previous year.
Four-season management:
(1) Spring Management When the spring temperature stabilizes at 10°C, repot every year. When repotting, be careful not to drop the bulb from the rootstock. After repotting, remove the dead and broken roots, let them dry for 3-5 days, and then plant them, placing them in a semi-shaded area for cultivation. Do not water immediately, only spray 2-3 times a day or place in a humid area, after half a month, a small amount of water can be added, and after a month, when new roots grow, gradually increase the water supply. After the bulbs have survived in the spring, move them to a well-lit area for cultivation. Insufficient light will cause the lower part of the bulb to turn green. The pink peony becomes redder the more direct sunlight it gets. When the outdoor temperature stabilizes above 15°C, the pink peony can be placed on an outdoor balcony with sunlight but no rain for cultivation. Spring is its growing season, so attention should be paid to the moisture level, but be careful not to overwet the soil. It is best to water when the soil is completely dry. Reduce the frequency of watering during rainy weather.
(2) Summer Management During hot summer temperatures, it should be placed in an area with morning and evening sunlight, maintaining sufficient water, but the watering should be alternating wet and dry, while also spraying water around it several times a day and enhancing ventilation to cool down. After the temperature cools down in late summer, move it to a well-lit area for cultivation.
(3) Autumn Management In autumn, the pink peony should be placed in an area with sufficient sunlight and no rain for cultivation, watering only when the soil is dry. As the weather cools down, gradually reduce the amount of watering, allowing the potting soil to become slightly dry until it goes dormant. When the outdoor temperature drops to around 10°C, it should be moved to a sunny enclosed balcony or room for cultivation.
(4) Winter Management The pink peony is not cold-tolerant, so the indoor temperature should be maintained above 8°C, preferably around 0°C. The potted plant should be placed on a sunny windowsill or balcony for cultivation, controlling water to keep the potting soil slightly dry. The drier the temperature, the drier the potting soil should be.
The above is the related explanation of the propagation methods of the pink peony, hoping to bring a little help to your life!