What Fertilizer to Apply to Peonies During the Flowering Period? A Detailed Guide to Fertilization Methods

During the flowering period, peonies should be given fully decomposed organic fertilizer, preferably solid fertilizer; the concentration must be controlled by diluting the fertilizer. The fertilizer can be applied shallowly at the roots or sprayed on the leaves to avoid burning the seedlings and keep the plants growing vigorously. Fish bone meal can also be added to increase the content of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, promote flowering, and at the same time be combined with watering to reduce the concentration.

How to fertilize peonies during the flowering period

1. When to fertilize

For peonies, winter fertilization is the most important. After winter begins, apply solid fermented organic fertilizer, apply enough base fertilizer, and at the same time mound up soil around the plants. When peonies bloom in spring, apply one topdressing of solid fermented organic fertilizer. Peonies are rarely given liquid fertilizer as topdressing; topdressing mostly uses solid fertilizer buried shallowly. Diluted fertilizer can also be sprayed on the leaves, with the concentration controlled to avoid burning the seedlings.

2. Fertilizer selection

For fermented organic fertilizer, fermented pig manure, sheep manure, or compost can be used to provide the soil with abundant organic matter, improve soil fertility, and make the plants grow better. At the same time, some bone meal can be added. Fish bone meal can increase the content of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can also be added to the fertilizer to promote flowering.

3. Sensitivity to water and fertilizer

Peonies have fleshy roots, and their root system is not well developed, making them very sensitive to water and fertilizer. When fertilizing, fertilizer with too high a concentration must not be used. Whether applying foliar topdressing or organic fertilizer as topdressing, the amount must be carefully controlled. Organic fertilizer must be fully fermented when used, which helps the roots absorb it. Fertilization should be combined with watering to reduce the concentration.

4. Avoid summer fertilizer

Peonies must not be fertilized in summer. Summer temperatures are relatively high, growth is vigorous, and the transpiration rate also speeds up, so the plants lose water severely, but peonies are still in a stage of stagnant growth in summer. If fertilization continues at this time, it will cause seedling burn; the plants cannot absorb water from the soil or absorb nutrients, affecting plant growth.