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Summer cold storage of peony flowers
The natural blooming period of peonies typically occurs in mid to late April. However, some varieties can also flower in late April or early May. If peonies are to bloom during the summer months—between mid-May and late August—traditional methods involve storing the plants before they begin to sprout. These seedlings are harvested from the field, placed in cold storage at low temperatures, and then removed at a specific time to ensure they bloom in controlled environments on the desired date.
Although this technique allows for precise timing of blooms, there is a noticeable difference in quality compared to naturally occurring flowering periods. The flowers tend to have lower blooming rates, paler colors, smaller petals, fewer layers, and thinner leaves. In April 2006, researchers from the Mudan Research Institute in Heze City prepared potted peony plants (such as those in the Peach or Pingtao stage) for cold storage. After being stored and carefully managed, these plants were able to bloom until late July, with their quality matching that of naturally grown peonies in Daejeon.
**Variety Selection**
When choosing peony varieties for cold storage, it’s essential to select upright plants with compact branches, flowers that open straight up or to the side, and vibrant, pure colors. The leaves should be small to medium-sized, thick, and waxy, avoiding large, thin leaves that may wilt quickly after removal from storage due to excessive transpiration. The root system should be shallow, short, fine, and dense, with the plant being 3 to 5 years old and having at least 8 flowers. Suitable peony varieties include 'Jingyu', 'Wujin Yaohui', 'Purple Erqiao', 'Big Brown Violet', 'Silver Red Clever Pair', 'Lu Hehong', '18th', 'Flower Butterfly', 'King', 'Sun Moon Brocade', 'Island Brocade', 'Big Brown Purple', 'Fu Gui Man Tang', and 'Sheng Ge Jin'. For herbaceous peonies, options like 'Big Rich', 'Kind of Flour', 'Hongyan Zhenghui', 'Qiaoling', 'Chunxiao', 'Qihualuo Cream', 'Liantai', and 'Red Peak' are ideal.
**Seedlings and Pots**
In mid- to late April, when individual flowers of the same species start to bloom, select plants that meet the criteria. Ensure that buds on each plant are of similar size and in the peach or peach stage to promote uniform blooming. Once selected, gently tie the branches with strings, making sure not to damage the buds or leaves. Transplant the plants into pots, using plastic containers with good durability. The pot size should be around 35–40 cm in diameter and 30–32 cm deep, with the soil ball matching the pot size. Fill the pot with fine soil and water thoroughly. If there are any secretions or dirt on the buds or leaves, rinse them with clean water.
**Cold Storage**
Before placing the plants in cold storage, fumigate the room with chlorothalonil aerosol for 2–3 days, and repeat every 15–20 days. A day before storage, lower the temperature to the set point and place the potted plants in the cold room as soon as possible. Arrange them neatly, leaving space for maintenance. Maintain a temperature of 2°C–4°C and humidity around 95%. Avoid frequent fluctuations in temperature and humidity, as stability is key to successful cold storage. Every 20–30 days, add a small amount of liquid fertilizer to the pots to replenish nutrients.
**Outbound and Transport**
During the summer, when temperatures often exceed 30°C, a gradual transition is necessary before moving the plants out of cold storage. Direct exposure to high temperatures can cause wilting within 30–60 minutes. To prevent this, two to three days before the scheduled blooming date, move the plants from 2°C–4°C storage to 10°C–15°C storage, stop cooling the next day, and gradually increase the temperature to 18°C–23°C. Water the plants and remove the strings, inspecting each pot carefully. Trim any damaged or dense leaves, and wipe the buds and leaves with a damp cloth. Before transport, spray the leaves with an ethylene inhibitor to extend the blooming period. Rebundle the branches and wrap the entire plant with paper to protect it during transit.
Use refrigerated or air-conditioned vehicles with heat and moisture control. Maintain an internal temperature of 20°C–23°C and humidity around 85% during transport.
**Flowering Management**
If exhibited outdoors, provide shade with a light transmission rate below 40% and maintain humidity above 80%. Immediately after unloading, mist the plants with water using a sprayer. Continue spraying 3–5 times daily depending on conditions, or install a micro-spraying system for continuous watering. In air-conditioned rooms, keep the temperature under 26°C and avoid daily watering. Outdoors, each pot will last 2–3 days, while indoors, the blooming period can extend to 3–5 days.
**Olympic Ceremony Flower Display**
Using this cold storage method, peonies were successfully displayed at the first "Shandong Provincial Cultural Industry Expo" from June 18 to June 21, 2006. They also served as ceremonial flowers on three occasions between July 17 and 19. On July 30, due to special needs, all peonies were removed from cold storage, and the process was temporarily suspended. Despite this, the analysis of the stored peonies showed no issues, and the technology allowed for continued blooming until August. This method offers a cost-effective alternative to artificial climate chambers, enabling mass storage and display. It is particularly suitable for use as ceremonial flowers during events like the Olympics, and can be arranged in indoor venues, hotels, or even outdoor flower beds if proper shading and moisture conditions are met.