Shoot Growth and Flower Bud Production of Peony Plants under Subtropical Conditions

Peony plants require temperate winter temperatures to break underground bud dormancy and allow shoot emergence flowering in spring. This study assessed whether artificial chilling at 4 °C for 2–6 weeks could induce under subtropical conditions. It also pre-treatment cool prior chilling, or gibberellin application after promoted flowering. Artificial 6 the greatest emergence. Pre-treatment did not affect growth flower production but it improved from treated with gibberellin. Gibberellin more than doubled number of shoots per plant without affecting length. The optimal treatment combination emergence, was 20 8 over an 8-day period autumn, early winter, 250 mL 100 mg/L GA3, before returning provided medians 3 (0–7) (0–31) buds second third years production, respectively. flowers can be produced climates using gibberellin, allowing out-of-season market supply.