Peony enthusiasts may need to act fast as growers anticipate an abbreviated season for the beloved cut flower, owing to persistent and substantial rainfall.
Growers across the United States and Europe are forecasting a shorter-than-usual peony season, attributing it to elevated moisture levels. The continuous downpours have compelled growers to conclude the peony harvest prematurely. Moreover, with more rain predicted in the forecast, uncertainties loom over the availability of peonies in the upcoming weeks.
The surplus moisture poses a challenge for growers and wholesalers who often resort to cutting and storing the blooms to prolong the season by several weeks. However, this practice is hindered by the prevailing damp conditions.
Kady Adelman, the retail manager of Adelman Peony Gardens in Salem, Oregon, remarks that their farm has already passed its peak bloom season due to the onslaught of heavy rain. “We have been hit with heavy rain, which has forced us to finish cutting flowers,” Adelman explains.
Adelman further notes that the excess moisture has adversely affected the quality of the blooms and hindered their ability to store stems for an extended period. “As the flowers get water trapped in the petals, we have a hard time getting them dried out, and they are more likely to rot in storage with the wet petals,” she adds.
The saturated conditions not only impact the storage and quality of the flowers but also impede their growth. “Peonies really don’t like their roots to be too wet,” Adelman emphasizes. Optimal growth and flower development require well-drained soil that is not excessively heavy or waterlogged.
