When it come in to harvesting peonies , timing is all important to ensure maximum vase life or to enjoy their beauty all summertime long . The good time to harvest peonies is when they are in the marshmallow phase . But what precisely does that mean ?
When peonies start to bud , they feel knockout and firm , almost like little marble . This is the leg when the bud are developing and prepare to bloom . However , if you want to extend the vase life of your peonies or keep them blooming in your garden for as long as potential , it ’s good to hold back until they make the marshmallow stage .
The marshmallow stagecoach refers to the point when the peony buds feel soft and spongy , resembling a marshmallow . At this level , the buds are fully grow and quick to burst open into beautiful blooms . It ’s important to note that once peony reach the marshmallow stagecoach , they can quickly bloom , sometimes within just a day or two .
To determine if your peony are in the marshmallow stage , softly squeeze the buds between your fingerbreadth . They should experience mild and give a small when pressed . If they still sense hard or fast , they are not yet at the marshmallow stagecoach .
Harvesting peonies at the marshmallow stage ensures that you will have the longest vase life story . This is because the bud are fully matured and have enough stored energy to go on opening and bloom once cut . If you harvest peonies too ahead of time , when they are still in the backbreaking bud stage , they may not fully candid and will have a short vase life .
To tailor peonies for a vase musical arrangement , use clean and penetrative garden shears or pruners . sheer the stem turn at a 45 - degree angle , preferably early in the cockcrow or lately in the evening when the temperature are cooler . This help to belittle stress on the bloom and leave them to retain moisture .
Once you ’ve cut your peonies , immediately place them in a bucket or vase filled with cool water . Remove any leaves that would be deluge in the water system , as they can promote bacterial growth . To maximize vase life , you’re able to also add together flowered preservative to the water supply , which helps sustain the flowers and prevent bacterium from form .
If you ’re planning to keep your peonies blooming in your garden all summer , it ’s important to deadhead the spent bloom . This means removing the evanesce flush by cut the prow just above a band of healthy leave or bud . Deadheading encourage the plant to produce more blooms and prevent vim from being wasted on seed production .
The good time to harvest home paeony is when they are in the marshmallow stage , which is when the bud feel piano and spongy . Cutting them at this stage insure maximal vase life or allow for them to continue blooming in your garden . So keep an eye on your peonies , wait for that marshmallow - corresponding grain , and savor their beauty for as long as potential .
Caroline Bates
