To ensure good blooming of Paeonia rockii peonies in the coming year, winter care and management are crucial. Winter care for Paeonia rockii peonies includes the removal of withered leaves, pruning of branches, fertilization methods, prevention and control of diseases and pests, and the removal of overwintering weeds. The specific details are as follows:
1. Leaf Removal
During winter, dried leaves often persist on branches. As these leaves may harbor pathogens and insect eggs, they should be promptly removed to prevent the spread of diseases and pests to the ground, avoiding potential transmission the following year. When removing withered leaves, cut them at the base of the leaf stem, about 1 to 1.5 centimeters, to avoid damaging the flower buds.
2. Pruning
Paeonia rockii peonies are in a dormant state during winter, making it an appropriate time for pruning. While maintaining a well-rounded plant shape, trim away sprouts around the main branches emerging from the ground and overlapping, crossing, or diseased and pest-infested branches. Thick branches with flower buds should be preserved, while for branches with only leaf buds and no flower buds, thin branches can be pruned, leaving some thicker ones.
3. Fertilization
Paeonia rockii peonies thrive on rich nutrients, and even during the dormant period in winter, applying a generous amount of fertilizer won’t lead to “root burning.” For safety, use semi-rotted cake fertilizer or farmyard manure. Apply 300 grams of cake fertilizer or 600 grams of farmyard manure per plant for Paeonia rockii peonies aged 6 to 10 years. Larger peonies may require a slightly increased amount of fertilizer. If using organic fertilizers primarily, mix 30 to 50 grams of compound fertilizer per plant. Fertilization should be done by digging shallow holes 10 centimeters deep on both sides of the main roots, about 20 to 25 centimeters away from the Paeonia rockii peony, and applying the fertilizer.
4. Disease and Pest Control
Common diseases of Paeonia rockii peonies include gray mold and brown spot disease. In winter, spraying the entire plant with Bordeaux mixture (5-degree) or 800 times solution of tobufen for prevention is recommended. The most serious pests affecting Paeonia rockii peonies are cotton cushion scale and larvae of the tortoise beetle. To control cotton cushion scale, scrape off all insects on the branches with a bamboo knife and burn them. Then, apply Bordeaux mixture (3 to 5 degrees) to the branches to kill most overwintering females and eggs. For tortoise beetle larvae, irrigate the base of the Paeonia rockii peony with 500 to 800 times solution of malathion or DDVP emulsion.
5. Weed Removal
During winter, cold-resistant weeds may grow in Paeonia rockii peony gardens or potted Paeonia rockii peony containers. These should be promptly removed to avoid competing for nutrients with Paeonia rockii peonies. It is advisable to thoroughly hoe the Paeonia rockii peony cultivation area one or two times during the winter, not only eliminating weeds but also loosening the soil to promote moisture retention, facilitating the safe overwintering of Paeonia rockii peonies.
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