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Aug 19, 2023 5:11 AM CST
Thread OP
North Central Massachusetts (N (Zone 5b)
Life & gardens: make them beautiful
Bee Lover Butterflies Garden Photography Cat Lover Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Region: Massachusetts
Region: Ukraine
Hi peony lovers!

I believe someone had said that the best food for promoting peony flowering is actually...bulb food! I've been using that with decent results, but this year, I've run out. So I thought I'd check in with you all to see what your preferences are.

I'm in zone 5b. This last spring, I only used regular fertilizer (10-10-10) and some blood meal to keep the critters away. I've had beautiful, luscious greenery, but few flowers.

Can't wait to hear your recommendations!
You don't kick walls down, you pull the nails out and let them fall.
AKA Joey.
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Aug 20, 2023 7:43 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Tracey
Midwest (Zone 5a)
Garden Photography Tomato Heads Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Pollen collector Forum moderator Hybridizer
Plant Database Moderator Cat Lover I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Master Level Seed Starter
Hi joannakat,

a 10-10-10 might be a little too strong for peonies. The recommendation is typically to fertilize with a tulip/daffodil bulb fertilizer in the Fall. It is best to fertilize first so you can see where the eyes/roots are, then cut down the stems. You would want to apply the granular fertilizer around the stems.
I use Espoma Organic Bulbtone which is a 3-5-3 NPK nutrient.
Welcome and hope this is helpful.
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Aug 20, 2023 10:13 AM CST
Thread OP
North Central Massachusetts (N (Zone 5b)
Life & gardens: make them beautiful
Bee Lover Butterflies Garden Photography Cat Lover Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Region: Massachusetts
Region: Ukraine
magnolialover said: Hi joannakat,

a 10-10-10 might be a little too strong for peonies. The recommendation is typically to fertilize with a tulip/daffodil bulb fertilizer in the Fall. It is best to fertilize first so you can see where the eyes/roots are, then cut down the stems. You would want to apply the granular fertilizer around the stems.
I use Espoma Organic Bulbtone which is a 3-5-3 NPK nutrient.
Welcome and hope this is helpful.


Thank you so much Tracey. Any recommendations about where to purchase?
You don't kick walls down, you pull the nails out and let them fall.
AKA Joey.
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Aug 20, 2023 10:27 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Tracey
Midwest (Zone 5a)
Garden Photography Tomato Heads Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Pollen collector Forum moderator Hybridizer
Plant Database Moderator Cat Lover I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Master Level Seed Starter
You can get them at local hardware stores or garden centers, online at places like Amazon. Also, Adelman Peonies has one they sell on their website, a granular type for peonies and they specialize in peonies. I have used that also with success.
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Aug 20, 2023 11:20 AM CST
Thread OP
North Central Massachusetts (N (Zone 5b)
Life & gardens: make them beautiful
Bee Lover Butterflies Garden Photography Cat Lover Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Region: Massachusetts
Region: Ukraine
magnolialover said: You can get them at local hardware stores or garden centers, online at places like Amazon. Also, Adelman Peonies has one they sell on their website, a granular type for peonies and they specialize in peonies. I have used that also with success.


Thank you so much Tracey!
You don't kick walls down, you pull the nails out and let them fall.
AKA Joey.
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Aug 30, 2023 7:19 AM CST
Moderator
Name: LG
Nashvillle (Zone 7b)
Butterflies Garden Photography Hostas Hummingbirder Peonies Region: Tennessee
Forum moderator
Hi Joey,
I use Espoma bulb food, too. I've found it at independent garden centers and online at Amazon.
I did see some small bags of it at Tractor Supply a couple of weeks ago.
LG - My garden grows with love and a lot of hard work.
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Aug 30, 2023 8:53 AM CST
Thread OP
North Central Massachusetts (N (Zone 5b)
Life & gardens: make them beautiful
Bee Lover Butterflies Garden Photography Cat Lover Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Region: Massachusetts
Region: Ukraine
Mieko2 said: Hi Joey,
I use Espoma bulb food, too. I've found it at independent garden centers and online at Amazon.
I did see some small bags of it at Tractor Supply a couple of weeks ago.


Thank you LG!
You don't kick walls down, you pull the nails out and let them fall.
AKA Joey.
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Jun 3, 2024 11:21 AM CST
Name: Anne
Aroostook County, AMine (Zone 4b)
I'm late to the party, but I think it will be helpful to provide more background, so you understand how to choose the right fertilizer and are not limited to specific brand names. Plant fertilizers supply the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The TLDR is that N is for shoots, P is for roots, K is for flowers/fruits. Fertilizer labels report these in that order, so 3-5-3 is 3% N, 5% P, and 3% K. When plants get a lot of N in relation to the other macronutrients, they will produce a lot of succulent green growth, but may not produce flowers/fruit. Bloodmeal provides N only, so OP, you really overdid it! In general, levels as high as 10% of any nutrient are not a good idea because you can actually burn the plants with too much quickly available fertilizer, and promoting over-rapid growth actually makes plants more susceptible to disease and insects. Bulbtone is perfect for peonies because the 3-5-3 formulation provides lots of P for good root development and enough K for good flower development, with the N low enough to avoid too much shoot growth. Any fertilizer that provides this balance of macronutrients at about these levels is good. I use liquid fish emulsion 2-3-1 for plants in the ground.
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Jun 3, 2024 5:40 PM CST
Thread OP
North Central Massachusetts (N (Zone 5b)
Life & gardens: make them beautiful
Bee Lover Butterflies Garden Photography Cat Lover Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Region: Massachusetts
Region: Ukraine
Thank you @rosebudestat !

Someone had actually recommended that, although without the thorough explanation so I think you for that. I've been using Bulbtone for a few years now. It's great!

I'll try to remember to post a photo here when they bloom. I do have one NOID red peony that is still not super floriferous, but the Bowl of Beauty definitely is. the other one I have is Garden Treasure. I really wish I had room for more. They are so stunningly beautiful.
You don't kick walls down, you pull the nails out and let them fall.
AKA Joey.
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