Paeonia rockii is a precious flower unique to China and has certain requirements for soil conditions. Reasonable soil configuration is the key to its healthy growth and flowering. The following are the key points of soil for planting Paeonia rockii:
- Soil type
Loose and breathable: Sandy loam or humus-rich soil is preferred. It needs to be loose and breathable, and avoid heavy and compacted clay (easy to accumulate water and rot the roots).
Avoid continuous cropping: Do not plant in plots where other peonies, peonies or Solanaceae crops have been planted to prevent soil-borne diseases. - Soil pH value
Neutral to slightly alkaline: The pH value is best between 6.5 and 8.0. Paeonia rockii is native to the limestone mountainous areas in the northwest and adapts to weakly alkaline environments.
Adjust acidic soil: If the red soil in the south is acidic (pH<6.5), it can be adjusted by adding plant ash or a small amount of lime.
- Drainage
Avoid water accumulation: Good drainage must be ensured, and low-lying areas need to have high ridges or raised planting beds.
Improved clay: coarse sand, perlite or leaf humus (ratio of about 1:3) can be mixed in to enhance water permeability. - Organic matter and fertility
Base fertilizer configuration: Mix decomposed organic fertilizer (such as sheep manure, compost, about 3~5kg/plant) into each hole before planting, and mix it thoroughly with the soil.
Avoid raw fertilizer: undecomposed fertilizer is easy to burn roots and may cause diseases.
Topdressing principle: low nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are mainly used during the growth period to avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizers that cause branches and leaves to grow too long. - Soil depth
Deep-rooted plants: require a deep soil layer (at least 50cm or more), and it is recommended to dig a planting hole with a depth of 50~60cm and a width of 50~60cm to ensure that the root system stretches. - Other precautions
Summer covering: Cover the surface with straw or pine needles to keep moisture and cool down and prevent soil compaction.
Regularly loosen the soil: loosen the soil shallowly after thawing in spring every year (to avoid damaging the roots) to enhance air permeability.
Treatment of saline-alkali land: If the soil is too saline, sulfur powder or gypsum should be used to improve it, and a large amount of water should be irrigated to wash it.
Simple soil preparation plan
Garden soil: leaf mold: coarse sand = 5:3:2
Add a small amount of bone meal or superphosphate as base fertilizer.
rockii peony is drought-resistant and cold-resistant, but sensitive to the soil environment. Reasonable soil improvement can significantly improve its growth potential and flowering quality. Focus on root maintenance in the first two years after planting, and later management will be more worry-free.