As the harvesting season comes and goes, it is essential that growers (both garden and farm) understand how to harvest their peony stems and properly store them for later use. Suitable peonies are a tremendous asset. Storing the good ones is quite another. Here, we’ll go over a few practices that will ensure you get the entire length of storage from your peonies and the total length at the best quality.

Chill storage

The first question will be: “How and where do I store my peonies?” Well, simple: in chill storage. To keep your peonies at their absolute best quality for long periods, you must get them into a cold environment, i.e., chill storage. Peony stems must be kept between 34º F-38º F (1.2ºC-3.4ºC) without freezing for optimal results. Too cold? Well, it’s colder than most vegetable storage, but for good reason; colder temperatures result in enzymatic neutralization in the peony, with prompts lasting storage results AS WELL AS better bloom life when brought out to be used in vase or display. The closer you can get to freezing WITHOUT freezing, the better. Usually, a home refrigerator works well (35º F usually) for home gardeners. For commercial growers, a walk-in cooler is needed.

Timing

Timing is everything. Suitable market peonies are the result of good harvest and storage timing. Peonies for extended storage should be harvested in the hard bud stage when the color is fully showing but the buds have not yet softened. After harvest, the stems should be IMMEDIATELY placed into chill storage (for commercial growers, they should be put away within an hour or two during harvesting).

Protection

While your peony stems are in chill storage, they should be given some pampering; they will need protection to keep them from desiccation or damage during storage. I recommend they be placed into 2-gallon ziplock bags, loosely sealed, for the duration and placed on top of some old newspaper or similar material for cushioning. This will prevent excessive moisture loss and protect the flesh and buds from direct contact with air temperatures potentially at or below freezing. Note that, although you’re looking for minimal moisture loss, you also don’t want excessive moisture buildup; if water is pooling in the bags or creating excessive condensation, open the bags and let moisture be released as excess will spawn nasty fungal or bacterial growths.