Spectacular flowering of peonies is impossible without proper care and nutrition. Plants especially need feeding during the formation of buds. However, only the proper use of fertilizers will benefit peonies, so it’s worth taking note of 5 useful tips.
Feeding composition
At the budding stage, peonies most need phosphorus and potassium. In the absence or deficiency of one of the elements, the quality of flowering noticeably deteriorates. There will be fewer flowers, their sizes will be much more modest. In addition, macronutrients have other positive effects.
For example, potassium:
- regulates water balance;
- accelerates the process of photosynthesis;
- strengthens the immune system;
- increases adaptation to low temperatures and drought.
Phosphorus accelerates metabolism in plant cells and increases resistance to disease. This element is also important for the roots.
Nutrients are better absorbed when applied in liquid form. The solution is distributed more evenly in the soil and is consumed with minimal losses. It is better not to add nitrogen before peonies bloom, otherwise active growth of green mass will begin to the detriment of flowering. This element is permissible only in the case of using complex mineral fertilizer, where its share is minimal.
Fertilizer application timing
Feeding peonies at the budding stage is carried out 30 days before flowering. In the middle zone, the timing of fertilization occurs in the month of May.As soon as the flower buds open and small buds appear, you will need to feed them. When the buds begin to open, the fertilizer is applied again to extend the flowering period. At this stage, plants need the same elements - phosphorus and potassium.
Ready-made complexes and mixtures
From ready-made preparations for feeding peony, you can purchase organomineral fertilizer “VITAFLOR-PION”. The composition is produced in the form of small brown granules in a 1 liter plastic bucket and is inexpensive (a little more than 100 rubles). Top dressing includes birch ash, bone meal, agroperlite.
The contents of the package are scattered under the bush and embedded in the top layer of soil, and then watered. Any complex fertilizer for flowering plants is also suitable for peonies. Most manufacturers produce such lines today.
You can independently prepare a solution for feeding during budding, using 10-15 g of potassium sulfate and 20-30 g of superphosphate per 10 liters of water. The composition can be used for spraying on the leaf, using chemicals in half the dosage. Under the root, the nutrient solution is poured into moist soil. Foliar feeding is carried out in the evening or morning hours, when the sun is less active.
Folk remedies
Some folk remedies will help give the plant strength and increase the number of buds. Here's what gardeners can feed peonies before flowering:
- Boric acid. The solution is prepared from 1 tsp. substances per 10 liters of water. The powder is first dissolved in a small volume of hot liquid. The concentrate is then poured into a bucket of water.Apply the composition for spraying on the leaf at the time of bud formation and later, before flowering.
- Wood ash. A glass of ash powder is dissolved in 10 liters of warm water and allowed to brew for 5-6 hours. The prepared solution is used for watering at the root, using 1 liter of fertilizer per peony bush.
- Eggshell. Egg shells contain a whole range of macro- and microelements. The shells of 10 eggs are first dried, then crushed and filled with 1 liter of warm water. The composition must be infused for 2 weeks. The resulting infusion is diluted in 10 liters of water and watered the ground around the peonies when buds appear on the bushes.
Folk remedies cannot be considered as a complete supplement. They are added additionally after mineral fertilizer if the bush grows in one place for a long time or the soil is not nutritious.
Rules for fertilizing
To ensure that fertilizing does not harm the plants, but is beneficial, certain rules must be followed. It is worth considering the following points:
- Since the solution for root feeding has a higher concentration, it must be poured strictly under the root, without getting on the stems and leaves to avoid burns.
- To make it easier to supply fertilizer, you can dig a circular groove around the bush.
- The dosage of drugs must be strictly observed; overfeeding plants does more harm to them than a deficiency of one or another element.
- In cool weather, it is better to apply the nutrient solution by spraying, since at temperatures below 15 °C the suction function of the roots noticeably deteriorates.
On a cloudy day, you can spray flowers at any time, but the weather should be without rain.
Strong and healthy peonies will bloom without fertilizing, but applying fertilizer will improve the quality of their flowering. At this stage, the main elements that plants need are potassium and phosphorus. Before the buds open, the peonies will need to be fed again.
