not sure if i remember right, but since you haven't had any responsses maybe this will help.

i seem to recall: cut flowers from plant before flower opens, dip cut end in melted paraffin, wrap entire flower and stem in newpaper, store in crisper drawer in fridge. always wanted to try it, but never did- peonies are at my grandmother's.

sorry this was too late. maybe next year.

Just read this in an old issue of Farmer's Almanac but maybe it will be useful later. "Cut peonies in bud when they have the feel of marshmallow (soft but still slightly firm); put them into refrigerator with a wet paper towel wrapped around the stems, or wrapped in newspaper or in a plastic bag. They'll keep for a month or two. When you want flowers, put them into a vase at room temperature, where they will bloom within 24 hours". EP

I follow that method this spring and it worked very well. sassyo