What fertilizer is best to apply during the flowering period of peonies?

During the flowering period, peonies should be given decomposed organic fertilizer, preferably solid fertilizer. The concentration must be controlled and the fertilizer diluted. The fertilizer can be applied shallowly at the roots or sprayed on the leaves to avoid burning the plants and to keep them growing vigorously. Fish bone meal can also be added to increase the phosphorus and potassium content and promote flowering, while watering at the same time 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 sufficient base fertilizer, and earth up the soil at the same time. When peonies bloom in spring, apply a top dressing of solid fermented organic fertilizer once. Peonies are rarely given liquid fertilizer as a top dressing; top dressing mostly uses solid fertilizer buried shallowly. Diluted fertilizer can also be sprayed on the leaves, with the concentration controlled to avoid burning the plants.

2. Fertilizer selection

For fermented organic fertilizer, you can choose fermented pig manure, sheep manure or compost, etc., to provide the soil with rich 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 phosphorus and potassium content, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can also be added to the fertilizer, which can promote flowering.

3. Sensitivity to water and fertilizer

Peonies have fleshy roots, and their root development is not extensive, making them very sensitive to water and fertilizer. When fertilizing, fertilizer with too high a concentration must not be used. Whether applying foliar top dressing or organic fertilizer as a top dressing, the amount used must be carefully controlled. Organic fertilizer must be fully fermented when used, which helps the roots absorb it. Fertilizing must be accompanied by watering to reduce the concentration.

4. Avoid fertilizing in summer

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 the plants to burn, and the plants cannot absorb water from the soil or take up nutrients, affecting plant growth.