Overwintering a peony root...

[badgerpup]

I bought a peony root which I've been desiring for a long while...one of the spendy ones with a beautiful ivory color, 'bomb' form and lovely scent.

Then depression hit and I was unable to get it into the ground before the ground froze.
How do I treat this root in order to keep it viable until spring?

Thanks...

[enough]

1. Glad you got your energy back, Badgerpup. I think I would pot it up for the winter,

keep it in a cool (or even cold) place, and make sure it doesn't totally dry out. You also don't want it to get waterlogged. Just a nice airy dampness in the potting soil.

Before potting, make sure there are no moldy or rotted parts on the root. If there are any, cut them off cleanly with a very sharp knife.

Maybe we have some peony experts here who could weigh in.

[badgerpup]

2. Hmmm....

Would a pot of soil in the refrigerator work? If I put some saran wrap over the top?
That's how I forced some bulbs a few years ago...



Just this was a really spendy root ($30) and I don't want to waste it...

[enough]

3. I guess you could do that, but I wouldn't use plastic wrap.

You want the soil to be able to breathe. Too damp is just as much of a threat as too dry. If you want to cover it I would use wax paper, or at least put some holes in the plastic. I have the impression growers hold unsold roots in cold storage for sale in spring, which is probably not even in soil, but in straw or some such.

Peony experts, where are you?

[TygrBright]

4. No, do NOT put it in your refrigerator.

Offgassing from fruits and vegetables, molds, rot... nuh-uh.

Put it in a cardboard box and sift slightly damp potting mixture over it until it's covered; don't pack it in. If the potting mixture doesn't have much vermiculite or perlite in it, mix in some shredded newsprint or other aerating material.

Put it in a dark, consistently cool (40-45 degrees fahrenheit) place. Mist the potting mixture now and then so it doesn't dry out altogether.

Next spring after the ground becomes workable, plant it in a place where it will not be waterlogged. Mark it with a good sturdy stake. It will probably not do much next year-- might not even sprout, but don't give up on it. Year after, year after that, it should take hold and give you lovely peonies.

helpfully,
Bright