Just before it started to rain, I dashed over to my sister's house and picked three buckets of peonies.
I've never counted, but there must be a few hundred peony bushes lining her driveway. As you know, they flop over onto to the ground once they get saturated with rain water. So I picked, and picked and picked.
Last year, I stored peony buds in the refrigerator for a month, and brought them out for a
Fourth of July celebration. I found the instructions at
Boreal Farms. If you are interested, here is information on how to store peony buds to be used at a later date.
"Commercial cut flower operations pick their peony buds and can successfully store them for up to three months. This practice allows them to extend the marketing season as the peony bloom period is short.
The home gardener or small producer can also save their flowers for a later occasion but because the home refrigerator typically cools to a range of 2-4 C , as opposed to the commercial 0 C, the storage time frame is reduced to two to three weeks. Not all peony flowers are the same though, some varieties have a longer vase life and store better than others but almost all will hold a few days in the vase after storage.
The peony buds are stored dry, packaged in plastic, and placed flat on the shelves of the refrigerator. Alternately they can be stored upright in buckets with a few inches of water.
When storing dry, remove almost all of the leaves as they tend to produce too much moisture when bagged resulting in the buds rotting. Bunch the stems together and place in a plastic bag, any bag will do but the two gallon Ziploc work well, place them flat on the shelves of the refrigerator. Moisture is the key to successful storage, too wet and they mold. Check them periodically, if there is moisture build-up open the bag to vent or place paper towels in the bottom and remove and replace them when they get wet.
Upon removal from storage don’t worry if the blossoms look wilted and the cut ends are dry. Re-cut the stems to expose clean fresh tissue and place upright in a bucket containing warm water. I allow at least 24 hours for opening especially if the flowers are wanted to decorate a special event."
I am joining
Rose Vignettes for Fresh-Cut Friday.
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
xo
Debbie
I never knew this..I must try:-)
ReplyDeleteOh so beautiful, Debbie, especially in your CC vase! I can almost smell their lovely scent through your picture. (I actually breathed in deeply and imagined their smell from my long ago memory. When we visited Ohio recently, I did see peonies all flopped over from the rain. There are no peonies here in Texas, that I've ever seen :-(
ReplyDeleteI love blogging 'cause I learn something new everyday. I didn't know you could store peony buds. Lovely photos of your sister's peonies.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteFound your pretty thumbnail via Liz's. What a sweet display of white peonies - one of my favourite flowers! I love the second vase display; very eclectic! Thanks for the info re: the freezing of the buds! Unfortunately, I can't grow these gorgeous petals here in the Mediterranean, it's way too hot and my heart aches for their sweet scent!
Poppy
Very pretty! So glad you picked some before the rain came, and I've read about storing them for later but haven't tried it yet. Nice to know it works:@)
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteThat is good information. Thank you for sharing it. Your sister's flowers are so pretty. I love that beautiful black and white vase too! Thank you for joining in! I'm so happy that you did. :) I'm following you now.
~Liz
Very beautiful, I especially love the arrangement in the MC vase. We picked and refrigerated buds for Jayme's bridal shower and it worked awesome for us as well.
ReplyDeleteStill waiting for my peonies to bloom :)
Wow, I can only imagine how glorious all those peonies must look when they're all in bloom! Alas, we can only get them in the grocery store, and then only rarely. I have some deep pink ones opening now on my table. Love them!
ReplyDeletePeonies are my favorite flower. They bloomed earlier here, and my neighbor's peonies are gorgeous! They're white tinged with deep red, similar to yours.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you could store peonies like that! This is great information to know. :D
xo,
Ricki Jill
Gorgeous! I love the vignette in red. Mine have passed, now another long year to wait for another crop...
ReplyDeleteLove your Peony bouquet. Thay smell wonderful...I used to have one but lost it several years ago :(
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, you brought back memories of my Mom's garden ♥
*hugs*deb
Pure beauty! I love the beauty of peonies and love smelling them. Your arrangements look beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow, those peonies are spectacular. I buy a bouquet every so often at the farmers' market. Thanks for the info about storing the buds in the fridge.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie
ReplyDeletewoow... they are really beauitful.....
and do not miss.....
SATURDAY SHOW OFF
it is FUN :)
WELCOME
Håkan ( The Roseman)
such beautiful use of peonies, your arrangements are spectacular, my best peonies were over sixty years old and i never touched them , they just did everything on their own! I think I split them up once in the eighties, I hope you have a wonderful sunday and that the sun is shining on you!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. I'm happy that you saved them from the rain . . . your home must smell heavenly. I is always a pleasure to visit your lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
Your blogging sister, Connie :)
Oh I do that too - as soon as I'm sure it is going to rain, I run out and pick the peonies! Thanks for posting this info. I have read this before, but it's good to have the specifics. Hope your 4th of July is filled with beautiful peonies!
ReplyDeleteThat is so interesting. I had no idea you could do that. Peony season just ended here, but I'm going to try it next year.
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteYour white Peonies are so pretty. I have seen these flowers on many of my friends' blogs, and I am really starting to like them.
I hope you are enjoying the summer days.
Love,
~Sheri
Peonies are so lovely! I had no idea you could store them!
ReplyDeleteStopping by at the recommendation of Ricki Jill who mentioned this post in her Weekly Round-Up post!
Thanks so much for sharing about saving the flowers of peonies. I have to try this next year. New Follower.
ReplyDeleteJody