I. Fengdan Peony Nursery Management
Seeds begin to germinate 20–30 days after sowing, and the young roots can reach 10–20 cm before winter. During dry winter conditions, the seedbed can be covered with straw for insulation. The covering should be removed in February of the following year. Seedlings will emerge in mid-to-late February, and shading measures are recommended.
When spring temperatures rise to 18–25℃, the seedlings enter a rapid growth period. Attention should be paid to preventing fungal diseases. Foliar fertilizers and growth regulators can be applied, three times between March and April.
After sowing, it is advisable to apply acetochlor to the soil before weeds germinate. During the growing season, timely loosening of the soil and weeding should be carried out to prevent weed infestation.
II. Fengdan Peony Seedling Transplanting
Generally, 2–3-year-old seedlings are used for autumn transplanting, but they can also be transplanted in spring as needed.
Seedlings should be graded according to age and growth condition to ensure uniform growth of the transplanted seedlings.
After grading, the seedlings should be bundled and transported promptly. Seedlings that cannot be transplanted immediately should be covered with shade, or protected by sand storage or soil covering.
III. Land Preparation for Oil-Bearing Fengdan Peony
Deep, loose, well-drained sandy loam soil is ideal, with a pH of 5.5–8.0. Avoid heavy clay soils and areas with a history of continuous cropping.
Weed control should be carried out in the summer and autumn before transplanting. This can be achieved through deep plowing to bury seeds, shallow tillage to induce germination and kill weeds, or by using herbicides such as glyphosate.
About one month before transplanting, deep plow the soil to a depth of 30–50 cm and expose it to sunlight. During land preparation, apply 800–1500 kg of well-rotted manure, 40–50 kg of compound fertilizer, and appropriate soil insecticides and fungicides per mu (approximately 0.067 hectares). Land Preparation and Bed Formation
Before planting, the land should be shallowly tilled and leveled, forming arched raised beds. The beds should be 2–3 meters wide, with pathways and drainage ditches approximately 50 centimeters deep and wide.
This guideline covers the main stages of oil peony cultivation, from seedling propagation and nursery management to land preparation before transplanting, and is provided as a reference for standardized cultivation practices.
