Making adequate preparations before planting paeonia rockii is the key to success! paeonia rockii are “lazy flowers”, but if the initial foundation is laid, subsequent maintenance will be very worry-free, and they can be enjoyed for more than ten years or even decades. The following are the key preparations that need to be done before planting paeonia rockii:
- Choose the best planting time
Autumn is the golden time (usually late September to early November in the northern hemisphere): This is the main planting season for paeonia rockii. At this time, the temperature drops and the soil temperature is still relatively warm, which is conducive to the growth and recovery of the root system before winter dormancy, laying a solid foundation for flowering in the spring of the following year. The specific time is adjusted according to the local climate, and it is best to complete the planting 4-6 weeks before the soil freezes.
Early spring (only in certain circumstances): If you buy container seedlings (with pots), you can plant them after the soil thaws in early spring, but the flowering in the first year may be affected and more delicate maintenance is required. It is strongly not recommended to plant bare-root paeonia rockii in spring. Avoid summer and severe winter.
- Choose the right place to plant
Sufficient sunlight: paeonia rockii are sun-loving plants and need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day(preferably full sun). Insufficient sunlight will cause the plant to grow too long, bloom sparsely or even not bloom.
Good drainage: absolutely critical! paeonia rockii are very afraid of waterlogging. If the roots are soaked in water for a long time, they will quickly rot and die. Choose a place with higher terrain and less water accumulation. Avoid low-lying areas, rain pits, and directly under large trees (not only shade, but the roots will also grab water and fertilizer).
Soil requirements: Prefer deep, fertile, loose and breathable, neutral or slightly alkaline (pH 6.5-7.5) soil. Sandy loam or loam is ideal.
Space reservation: Consider the crown width of the paeonia rockii after adulthood (generally it can grow to 0.8-1.5 meters wide), leave enough growth space to ensure good ventilation and reduce diseases. Avoid being too close to walls or other large plants. - Improve the soil (create a comfortable home for the roots)
Deeply plow the soil: In the selected planting area, deep plowing is carried out (it is recommended to dig at least 50-60 cm deep and more than 60 cm wide). Break the hard soil layer and increase air permeability.
Improve drainage: If the soil is heavy (such as clay): - Prepare planting holes (dig a large hole for good rooting)
The hole should be large and deep: Even for very small bare-root seedlings, it is recommended to dig a planting hole with a diameter of 60 cm and a depth of 50-60 cm. A large hole is conducive to the free expansion of the root system and the absorption of water and nutrients.
Backfill soil preparation: Mix the excavated original soil with a large amount of decomposed organic fertilizer (such as decomposed cow dung/sheep dung/compost) and a small amount of bone meal (provide phosphorus fertilizer, promote rooting and flowering). The amount of organic fertilizer can be large, accounting for about 1/3 to 1/2 of the total amount of backfill soil. Ensure even mixing to avoid concentrated fertilizer burning of roots.
Pre-watering: A few days before planting, you can fill part of the hole (about half the height) with the prepared backfill soil, then water it thoroughly and let the soil settle naturally, which will help determine the correct depth for subsequent planting. - Select and prepare paeonia rockii seedlings
Handling bare-root seedlings:
Plant as soon as you receive them. If you can’t plant them immediately, you can transplant them in moist sand or put them in a cool place with a wet cloth wrapped around the roots.
Check the root system before planting and cut off dry, rotten or overly long roots (healthy roots can be left 20-30 cm).
Soak the roots in a fungicide solution such as carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl for 10-15 minutes to disinfect them, and then plant them after drying (optional but recommended to reduce diseases).
Important notes
Depth is key: When planting, make sure the “buds” of thepaeonia rockii (the red buds at the junction of the root neck) are buried about 3-5 cm below the soil (up to 5-7 cm deep in cold northern regions). Planting too shallow will expose the buds and make them susceptible to freezing and drought, while planting too deep will affect flowering and even cause root rot and death.
“Plant once, enjoy the flowers for many years”: paeonia rockii do not like to be transplanted. Transplanting will greatly damage the root system and cause them not to bloom for several years. Be sure to choose the right location once and don’t move it again after planting.
Avoid land with a “previous record”: If this land has been used to plant paeonia rockii, paeonia rockii or other ranunculaceae plants before, it is best to plant them again after an interval of more than 3-5 years, or completely replace the soil in the pit to avoid soil-borne diseases (such as root rot, wilt) and soil nutrient imbalance.
Subsequent preparations
Watering plan: Immediately after planting, water the roots once, and water thoroughly (even if the soil is wet). After that, keep the soil slightly moist but not waterlogged until it freezes, depending on the weather conditions. Pay attention to water supply after budding in spring, especially before and after flowering.
Winter protection (cold regions): In the cold northern regions, for newly planted paeonia rockiior precious varieties, a thick layer of pine needles, straw, leaf mold or special coverings can be placed at the base of the roots to keep warm before the soil freezes, and the coverings should be removed in time before buds sprout in spring. Avoid covering the plants with airtight materials (such as plastic sheets) as this can easily cause bud rot.