Application of Diverse Nutrients (N, P, and K) Throughout the Annual Growth Cycle Influences the Phenology and Biomass of Paeonia ostii

The tree peony holds significant historical, cultural, and practical value. P. ostii is extensively cultivated in China, where it represents the primary oil-producing variety of tree peonies. However, the current nutrient supplementation system for P. ostii lacks an empirical basis, resulting in frequent wastage of nutrients during daily production. In this study, varying ratios and quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were administered to P. ostii at distinct phases of its annual growth cycle, specifically during the bud sprouting, post-flowering, and dormancy periods. The results showed that during the bud sprouting period, the plants treated with a high nitrogen and potassium ratio (a high N&K ratio, N–P–K = 35%–20%–35%) had better flowering traits than those treated with a high phosphorus ratio (a high P ratio, N–P–K = 20%–35%–20%). Under the standard application amount, plants treated with a high N&K ratio outperformed those treated with a high P ratio in terms of flowering duration, net photosynthetic rate, and flowering biomass, with increases of 20.9%, 10.7%, and 32.9%, respectively. During the post-flowering period, all plants died when treated with 1.5 × standard amounts of the above ratios. At this period, the all-high ratio with N–P–K = 45%–45%–45% resulted in a 70.4% increase in fruit set, a 43.8% increase in seed number, and a 153.8% increase in biomass compared with the high N&K ratio. During the dormancy period, nutrient supplementation with the standard amount of P led to higher increases in ground diameter and biomass. Therefore, in subsequent tree peony production, particular attention should be paid to nutrient supplementation during the post-flowering period to prevent excessive fertilizer application and safeguard the plants’ normal growth and development.