Storing Peonies
Peonies can be easily stored to bloom later, making
them an exceptional cut flower!
Here's how to do it:
Cutting the blooms at the right stage takes a bit of practice: it varies between different varieties.
Some will need to be more open showing more of the petals and some will need to be more closed. Generally speaking the denser (more petals) the bloom, the softer the bud should be before cutting. Thus, a double peony bloom should feel like a marshmallow while a single bloom can be cut with a much tighter bud.
Doubles will last longer than singles in storage.
Try to cut stems first thing in the morning. If it is raining, shake off the excess moisture and dry buds with a paper towel before wrapping.
Some will need to be more open showing more of the petals and some will need to be more closed. Generally speaking the denser (more petals) the bloom, the softer the bud should be before cutting. Thus, a double peony bloom should feel like a marshmallow while a single bloom can be cut with a much tighter bud.
Doubles will last longer than singles in storage.
Try to cut stems first thing in the morning. If it is raining, shake off the excess moisture and dry buds with a paper towel before wrapping.
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Figure #1: Squeeze the bud. If it feels like a marshmallow cut the stem at a 45 degree angle, about 14 inches long. Remove leaves and side buds. |
Fig #1
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Figure #2 and Figure #3: Wrap buds with stems (up to 5) in waxed paper or newspaper and place in a plastic bag with the stems sticking out of the bag.
Fig #2
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Fig #3
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Figure #4: Twist plastic bag around stems: this will remove excess air. Place rubber band near the bottom of the bag. Some of the stem will be hanging out beyond the bag. You can place another rubber band near the bottom of the stems to keep them neat. |
Fig #4
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Place stems in cooler or fridge (laying them down on shelf). The colder the temperature the longer they will last. Storing at 2°C (refrigerator temperature is 0° - 4°C) or 33-35° F is the ideal temperature. Warmer is okay but they won’t last as long.
to rehydrate buds...
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These peonies were stored for 5 weeks! Dutch Girl Peonies.
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To print a copy of the instructions:
Shipping Cut Peonies:
Shipping Cut flowers:
Florist boxes, the ones that are quite long work well for shipping. You may have to get shorter ones or cut them down in size depending on the cost of shipping a long box. Lines the box with thin foamy paper and lay the flowers with the buds at each end of the box and the stems overlapping in the centre. Gradually the buds will be farther away from the ends, nestled between the ones below them. It is best to separate the colours to keep them from bleeding such as putting the reds at one end and the pale colours at the other. You can also separate them with paper.
When the box is full, wrap the paper over the flowers and put two pieces of lightweight wood (maybe cedar) that are about 1" x 1" and the width of the box, into the box. This will hold down the stems and keep the box from crushing inward. They are placed far enough apart so that a couple of ice packs can fit between them and stapled through from the outside of the box. The ice packs are put in, covered with foam paper and the box tied. Your peonies are ready to ship!
Florist boxes, the ones that are quite long work well for shipping. You may have to get shorter ones or cut them down in size depending on the cost of shipping a long box. Lines the box with thin foamy paper and lay the flowers with the buds at each end of the box and the stems overlapping in the centre. Gradually the buds will be farther away from the ends, nestled between the ones below them. It is best to separate the colours to keep them from bleeding such as putting the reds at one end and the pale colours at the other. You can also separate them with paper.
When the box is full, wrap the paper over the flowers and put two pieces of lightweight wood (maybe cedar) that are about 1" x 1" and the width of the box, into the box. This will hold down the stems and keep the box from crushing inward. They are placed far enough apart so that a couple of ice packs can fit between them and stapled through from the outside of the box. The ice packs are put in, covered with foam paper and the box tied. Your peonies are ready to ship!
