How to manage paeoniarockii in high temperature in summer

 High temperatures in summer are a critical period for the growth and management of paeoniarockii. High temperatures, strong light and rain may cause leaf burns, root rot and other problems. The following summer management points are summarized to help the plants survive the summer safely and lay the foundation for flowering next year:

1. Reasonable watering and drainage
   
   
   
2. Watering principles
   Keep the soil moist but avoid waterlogging. The roots of purple peony are afraid of waterlogging, and waterlogging can easily lead to root rot.

Watering time: early morning or evening, avoid high temperatures at noon, and the water temperature should be close to the soil temperature.

Drought response: Water thoroughly every 5-7 days during continuous drought to prevent the soil from drying and cracking and damaging the roots.

2. Drainage measures
   Check the waterlogging immediately after heavy rain. For ground-planted plants, a circular drainage ditch with a radius of 40 cm can be dug at the base.

Potted plants can be slightly tilted to reduce rainwater accumulation. Straighten and pour out the accumulated water in time after rain.

2. Scientific shading and light management
3. Shading requirements
   Although paeoniarockii likes light, strong light in summer can easily burn leaves, especially seedlings and potted plants.
   Potted plants: move to scattered light or use a shade net (shading rate 30%-50%), and avoid placing it on a concrete floor or other place with strong reflected light.
   Ground planting: plant low plants around or set up a temporary sunshade to reduce the intensity of direct light.
4. Light adjustment
   If the plant has dry tips and dry edges of leaves, it is necessary to strengthen shading and spray water on the leaves to cool down.
5. Fertilization and soil management
6. Fertilization strategy
   Critical period: June-July is the period of flower bud differentiation, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate) need to be supplemented to promote differentiation.
   Note: Suspend fertilization during high temperature periods (above 35°C) and avoid using uncomposted organic fertilizers or concentrated fertilizers to burn roots.
7. Soil improvement
   Covering and moisture retention: Cover the roots with pine needles, shredded bark or straw (3-5 cm thick), which can not only reduce temperature and retain moisture, but also suppress weeds.
   Loosening and ventilation: After rain or watering, loosen the soil shallowly to prevent compaction and improve root respiration.

• IV. Disease and pest control

2. Common diseases
   Leaf spot/brown spot: Spray 600 times of carbendazim or 800 times of thiophanate-methyl, once every 15-20 days.
   Root rot: After controlling water, apply fungicides such as benomyl, and strengthen drainage.
3. Pest control
   Red spider/aphids: Spray avermectin or matrine solution.
   Grubs: Sprinkle phoxim granules for prevention.
   The above measures can effectively reduce the damage of high temperature and humidity in summer to paeoniarockii, ensure the healthy growth of plants, and lay the foundation for root development in autumn and flowering next year. If you need to further optimize the management plan, please refer to the specific planting environment adjustment details.

why the paeoniarockii grafted seedlings cut off the remaining flowers after flowering

 In mid-May, the paeoniarockii has basically finished blooming. Post-flowering management is very important and will affect the flowering and growth effects of the next year.

The paeoniarockii grafted seedlings cut off the remaining flowers after flowering, mainly based on the following key reasons:

1. Reduce nutrient consumption and promote plant growth

- Peony flowering requires a lot of nutrients, especially in the initial stage of root system and rootstock fusion of grafted seedlings, the nutrient reserves of the plant are relatively limited. Timely cutting off the remaining flowers can prevent nutrients from being used for seeding or maintaining flowers, and instead concentrate energy on root system development, new bud differentiation and branch and leaf growth, accumulating more sufficient nutrients for flowering next year.

2. Prevent the breeding of pests and diseases

- If the withered flowers remain on the branches for a long time, they are prone to breeding pathogens such as mold and gray mold due to moisture or rot, and may also attract pests. Cutting off the remaining flowers can reduce the risk of plant infection and maintain overall health.

3. Ensure the survival and adaptation of grafted seedlings

- Grafted seedlings need to focus resources on the healing and adaptation of rootstock and scion in the early stage. Retaining residual flowers may increase the burden on the plant and affect the healing speed and survival rate of the grafted part. Cutting flowers helps the plant to smoothly pass the critical growth period.

4. Promote flower bud differentiation and improve the quality of flowering next year

Flower bud differentiation of peony usually occurs after flowering. Cutting off residual flowers can reduce nutrient diversion, enable the plant to photosynthesize more efficiently, and promote the formation of new flower buds, thereby ensuring larger and more luxuriant flowers next year.

Pruning operation suggestions:

Timing: Prune immediately when the flowers begin to wither and the petals wilt significantly, and avoid delay.

Method: Use sterilized scissors to cut flatly from the base of the pedicel (about 1-2 cm below the calyx) to avoid damaging the new buds.

Subsequent care: After pruning, add appropriate amounts of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to enhance the resistance of the plant; keep the soil moist but not too wet to avoid root rot.

Through scientific pruning, purple-spotted peony grafted seedlings can establish a strong plant structure more quickly, laying a solid foundation for their future ornamental value.

Does rockii peony need watering in summer?

 Whether paeoniarockii needs watering in summer needs to be adjusted flexibly according to the specific situation. The following are detailed suggestions:

Does it need watering?

Yes, but it needs to be scientifically controlled

Although purple peony is drought-resistant, the high temperature in summer evaporates quickly, and long-term water shortage may affect its health. The key is to “water thoroughly when it is dry and avoid water accumulation”, which needs to be judged in combination with the following factors:

Key points of watering

1. Observe soil moisture

Judgment method: dig 2-3 cm of the topsoil, if the inside is dry, water it; if it is moist, hold off.

Soil type: Sandy soil dries quickly and can be watered more frequently, clay soil has strong water retention and needs to reduce watering.

2. Watering time

The best time: early morning or evening (avoid the high temperature at noon), to avoid burning leaves or rapid evaporation of water.

Check after rain: If it is cloudy and rainy continuously, water should be controlled to prevent root rot.

3. Amount and method of watering
   Principle of thorough watering: water the roots slowly to ensure that the water penetrates deep into the root system, and avoid only wetting the surface soil.
   Drainage guarantee: ground planting needs to ensure that there is no water accumulation in the planting position, and potted plants need to have drainage holes and gravel pads.
4. Plant status and growth stage
   New seedlings/transplanted seedlings: weak root systems need to keep the soil slightly moist, but avoid water accumulation.
   Adult plants: strong drought tolerance, the watering interval can be appropriately extended.
   Post-flowering management: summer is a period of nutrient accumulation, moderate watering helps recovery, but not too wet.

Precautions
Avoid getting leaves wet: high temperature and high humidity can easily cause fungal diseases (such as leaf spot), aim at the roots when watering.
Extreme weather adjustment: continuous drought can increase the frequency of watering; clear drainage in time after heavy rain to prevent waterlogging.

• Regional climate differences: dry areas in the north need to pay more attention to water replenishment, and rainy areas in the south should pay attention to waterlogging prevention.

Signs of water shortage or overwatering
Symptoms of water shortage: leaves wilt and droop, tender shoots become soft, and soil becomes dry and cracked.
Symptoms of overwatering: leaves turn yellow and fall off, roots turn black and rot, and soil is damp for a long time.
Summary
In summer, watering of purple peony should follow the principle of “better dry than waterlogged”, and adjust flexibly by observing the soil and plant status. Keeping the soil slightly moist but not waterlogged, combined with appropriate shading (such as pulling a shade net), can help it survive the summer safely.