How to feed peonies in the country in autumn and spring
Content:
Peonies belong to the category of perennial plants that are easy to care for. They are planted in flower beds in the garden by many flower growers. At the same time, you need to know how to feed the peonies in order to achieve their abundant and lush flowering.
Brief description of peonies
Peonies need nutrients to thrive.
Peony is a beautiful perennial that grows actively immediately after planting. In height and width, the culture is capable of reaching 1.5 m. The plant is characterized by large flowers with bright and wide petals. Long shoots are decorated with dense dark green triple leaf plates.
Why you need to fertilize
When planting peonies, you first need to prepare a hole for them. In this case, it is imperative to fill it with a nutritional composition that includes active fertilizers. Such substances are enough for plants for 2 years. During this time, they grow roots and can develop. In the third year, peonies begin to bloom magnificently. To support the growth and development of crops, they need to be fertilized.
What happens if you feed at the wrong time or in excess of the norm
Fertilizers need to be applied taking into account certain vegetative processes. This will help the plant get the nourishment it needs during these times:
- in early spring, fertilizers help build up greens;
- in mid-spring, feeding peonies is required to lay buds;
- in summer, fertilizers help to recover from flowering.
If fertilizers are not applied on time, there is a risk of metabolic disturbances. In this case, the peony may bloom later, which provokes a violation of the preparation for winter.
Premature fertilization results in buds too early. At the same time, small flowers of a dull shade grow. With a lack of certain substances, the appearance of plants deteriorates.
What fertilizers are suitable for a peony
Many people are interested in the best way to fertilize peonies. When choosing a dressing, you need to take into account the nutrient needs of flowers.
Mineral
These products include various formulations that are sold in flower shops. Three times during the season, you can fertilize the bushes with the drug "Kemira". Before flowering, it is worth using the Kemira-Universal. It is also used a week after the completion of this process. As a second feeding, it is worth using the drug "Kemira-Kombi".
Dry mineral fertilizers can be poured into the soil and then watered
Organic
In order to actively grow and bloom fully, peonies need a sufficient amount of nutrients. For this, it is permissible to use organic products that include many valuable components. As a rule, for this, manure, humus or compost is introduced into the soil under the bushes. As they gradually decay, useful substances are gradually released from them, which come to the roots.Also, organic matter prevents the soil from freezing, since during the decomposition of manure, heat is released, which is required for plants in winter.
Organic products nourish the earth
Complex
Combined fertilizers include a whole range of micro and macro elements. They help support plants during all stages of the growing season. To do this, it is enough to pour the contents of the package into the open ground and water it abundantly.
Also, complex fertilizers are allowed to be used for foliar dressing, for example, "Ideal". Another useful tool is Siliplant. It helps to increase the immunity of peony bushes, strengthen the protective forces of flowers. Improving the immune system reduces the risk of developing diseases and normalizes growth processes. To prepare a solution for treating bushes, 2-3 ml of the product must be mixed with 1 liter of water.
Complex fertilizers provide plants with all the necessary substances
Folk remedies
What else can you feed peonies? You can prepare food for flowers yourself. Fertilizer made from black bread is highly effective. To do this, cut 1 loaf into pieces and soak in 10 liters of water. Place in the sun and cover with a lid. As a result, many acids will be released into the water, which will improve the development of flowers. You need to infuse the mixture for 1-2 days.
It is also permissible to make fertilizers for peonies from banana peels, eggshells, potato peels. For this purpose, you can use nettle, onion peel, whey.
How to fertilize correctly
Answering the question what exactly peonies love, it is worth choosing the right method of fertilization.
Root dressing
When using this method, the nutrients should be added in several stages. For the first time, it is recommended to feed peonies in early spring. Already with the arrival of March, mineral fertilizers can be applied, which should be scattered under the bush. With melt water, they are gradually absorbed into the soil and quickly get to the roots.
It is recommended to deposit twice more in the summer. In this case, dry mixtures should be scattered under the peonies, after which the soil should be well watered.
Foliar dressing
Young and adult bushes should be fed foliarly once a month. To do this, you can use a solution of a ready-made mineral product, for example, "Ideal". In order for the substance to better adhere to the leaves, you need to add laundry soap or washing powder to the composition.
It is worth using foliar fertilizers in several stages:
- for the first time, you can feed the bushes when the ground part germinates - in this case, it is worth using a urea solution;
- the second feeding is carried out a few weeks after the first - while special tablets are added to the urea solution;
- the third treatment is performed after the end of flowering - at this stage, only micronutrient fertilizers are applied.
Peonies love foliar feeding
Features of spring feeding of peonies
The most important top dressing is considered to be spring. The speed of awakening of the bushes after winter depends on it. Therefore, gardeners must carry out a whole range of activities that contribute to the introduction of useful elements into the soil.
How to feed peonies in spring before flowering
Spring feeding is carried out in several stages. The first one starts in late April or early May.In this case, a complex of organic and mineral agents must be introduced into the soil.
Well-rotted manure - horse or cow manure - is suitable for this. It is combined with nitrophos. The resulting product must be scattered on the ground and dug up the soil to a depth of 8-10 cm.
How to feed a flower during budding
Many people are interested in the best way to feed peonies during budding. During this period, it is important to provide plants with useful substances during flowering.
For feeding peonies during the budding period, a liquid composition is used. It should include 20 g of potassium and 40 g of phosphorus in a bucket of mullein infusion. Under each bush, 2-3 liters of solution should be applied. This will help speed up and extend the flowering period.
The next top dressing is carried out 2-3 weeks after the end of flowering. For this, a liquid composition based on 30 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium sulfate is used. These components need to be taken in a bucket of water.
Features of summer feeding
Many people wonder why peonies fade quickly. Flowers may crumble due to lack of nutrients. Therefore, it is imperative to know what fertilizers should be used during flowering. Thanks to this, it will be possible to get large flowers.
Top dressing of peonies during flowering
Young crops begin to bloom 3 years after planting. Therefore, they should definitely be fed. For this, you can use both organic and mineral fertilizers.
Peonies require nutrients during flowering
After flowering
The last time peonies are fed with mineral means in June or July - after the end of flowering. This will help to achieve more lush flowering in the next season. At this stage, it is recommended to use products based on potassium and phosphorus. Fertilizers can be used dry or in the form of a solution.
How to fertilize peonies in autumn
Top dressing in the fall helps to achieve lush flowering next year. Potassium and phosphorus are best used during this period. These products saturate plants with nutrients and activate the formation of new buds.
Top dressing after pruning (preparation for wintering)
Pruning is recommended after the first frost. At this time, it is recommended to feed the bushes with a mixture of bone meal and ash. Put manure, humus or compost on top. At the same time, it is not recommended to bury nutrient mixtures. They act as a mulching layer and help reliably protect peonies from frost.
Feeding peonies must necessarily be complex. To achieve good results, the type of soil and the season must be taken into account when choosing a nutrient.
