Root Storage For Peonies?

The best conditions for storing peony roots over winter are to choose the right location, prepare the roots, store them in containers filled with sand or peat moss, keep the roots moist, and regularly check on them. If you missed the planting window, you must store the roots. Experts provide three ways to do this: Overwintering Peonies in Pots: If the ground isn’t frozen, grab some garden soil and fill planting pots with it.

When to Plant Peony Roots: For Spring planted peonies, plant after the threat of the last killing frost and as soon as your soil has thawed. For Fall planted peonies, plant 6 and store them for a short time in a refrigerator or cooler while you choose and prepare your planting area. Peonies are not fussy but choose your location wisely as they resent transplanting.

Making a Large Planting Hole: Dig carefully around the plant, making sure to avoid damage to the root system. Gently remove the peony from its current location and select a well-draining location with sunlight or partial shade. Dig a whole peony root and cover it with soil.

When to Divide and Mulch Peony Bulbs: Learn when and where to plant peony roots, how to dig holes and cover them with soil, and how to care for them after planting. Store peonies in the refrigerator and have them bloom at a much later date by knowing when to cut them and how to properly store them.

Purdue University suggests using the refrigerator to store peonies that didn’t get planted in the fall. Store the roots in barely damp peat moss (about 1 cup of water per cubic foot of peat moss) and keep them cool. Dig so as to keep a 6 to 10 inch length of the big storage roots for the replant pieces.

Stems should be placed in water to reach maximum moisture contents, then left to dry for several days in cold storage (2-3°C). If you don’t have time to plant immediately, keep the peony roots in their original bags at about 40°F (5°C) (the vegetable drawer of a refrigerator is ideal).