Fertilizing Roses
Rose Plant Food
How To Fertilize Your Roses
With Rose Food
Fertilizing roses with a great rose plant food is a must if you want to have lots of rose blooms.
Fertilizing is as much an art as a science, and varies with regions, gardening practices, and personal philosophy.
The only thing everyone agrees on roses need fertilizers and nutrients to flower the very best.
Roses needs a steady supply of nutrients, rose fertlizers, to bloom their best, so it's best to begin fertilizing on a regular schedule.
Repeat blooming roses flower in cycles that I call, flower flushes.
So after each flower flush it
would be appropriate to apply fertilizers.
Established roses should be fertilized in early spring, and then every four weeks until late summer,
when you should stop feeding the roses.
Organic Fertilizing
To be sure your roses are well-fed, work in a good amount, two shovelfuls, of rich compost around the base of the rose each spring.
Then about once a month, fertilize the roses with liquid organic fertilizer, such as manure tea or fish emulsion.
Systemic Fertilizers
One of the easiest ways to feed roses, as well as to prevent insects and disease is to use Bayers All-In-One Rose and Flower Care
Use it 3 times during the growing season, starting about 3 weeks after you have pruned your roses.
The benefit of using this Bayer product, which I personally use, is that it really works.
Better than anything else I have ever tried. Lots of flowers, no bugs and no disease.
So if you have insects and disease problem, I recommend you use it.
The Intense Feeding Approach
For larger and best roses, fertilize with a liquid fertilizer, such asMiracle Grow Rose Food every 2-3 weeks during the season.
It will give your roses a quick and easily absorbed food.
Mix it into a large watering can or bucket, 1 tablespoon per gallon.
Nutrient Rich Soil
Makes Good Roses
No matter what fertilizing approach you choose, roses love rich, moisture retentive soil that drains well.
Loose soil allows nutrients to perculate deeply, reaching the feeder roots and giving food where it's needed.
The best way to provide good soil is by working in an abundance of compost at planting time.
After the rose is planted, each spring, improve the soil by working a couple of gallons of compost into the surface of the soil around the rose.
When To Stop
Feeding Your Roses
You should stop feeding your roses about 2 months before your areas first frost date in fall.
Check with local garden centers for frost dates.
If you keep fertilizing you roses, you'll stimulate tender new growth that will suffer from winterkill.
Also, if you live in a hot climate, it's a good idea to stop fertilizing roses for about 2 months during the hottest weather in July - August.
Rose Fertilizer Elements
The best rose fertilizers are complete and balanced with the following elements.
N (nitrogen): For enhancing the growth of leaves and stems.
P (phosphorous): For good flowering and strong root growth.
K (potassium): For overall good growth, vigor and disease resistance.
The numerical value for fertilizing your roses should be 5-9-6.
Always remember to deep water your roses before applying fertilizers.
Fertilizing roses is certainly worth the effort, and the reward is lots of beautiful rose blooms.
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