Fertilizer for Roses
When it comes to food, those fragile-looking roses posing so delicately in the garden have a hearty appetite. In addition to water and mulch, fertilizer is a key ingredient for growing roses successfully. While the type and amount of fertilizer may vary depending upon which of the thousands of varieties of roses you have, most roses need specific nutrients and soil acidity to produce their best flowers.
-
Benefits
-
Fertilizer promotes healthy cane growth, lush foliage and quality blooms. The proper fertilization program helps maintain the soil acidity and provides the major nutrients, such as nitrogen, that roses crave. Soil amendments provide slow-release nutrients to feed the plant. Amendments include peat moss, composted sewage sludge, manure and humus. Work this organic matter into the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches before planting. Avoid over- or under-fertilizing roses by developing a fertilization routine suitable for your particular rose variety, soil type and climate.
Types
-
The type of fertilizer to use depends as much on the condition of the soil as the variety of the rosebush. A soil test every couple of years will help determine the proper nutrients for your specific varieties of roses. Roses grow best in pH that ranges between 5.5 and 7.0. Raise the pH by adding lime or lower it by adding powdered sulfur. Fertilizers provide nutrients immediately upon application, or they can release nutrients over a period of several weeks. Because roses prefer a complete fertilizer, those labeled 5-10-10 or 4-8-6 should work well. Several products formulated especially for roses are available and take most of the guesswork out of fertilizing the plants. Follow manufacturer's directions on the package when applying any fertilizer.
When to Fertilize
-
As winter fades into memory, roses begin putting out new growth, usually in early to mid-spring. Feed the plants when this new growth appears, using a complete fertilizer. Apply a second round of fertilizer in mid-July to give the flowers a boost, and finish with a third application after first frost in late autumn. Some gardeners prefer to omit the third round of fertilizer to avoid stimulating new growth that may be killed off by winter cold.
Considerations
-
Most commercially available roses include at least basic care instructions. If you know the names of the cultivars in your garden, detailed growing instructions specific to each individual variety should be available at a library, online or from a local county extension service office. In general, if the leaves turn yellow, the plants need more nitrogen. If the leaf margins turn brown, the plants need potassium. Yellow leaves with dark-green veins suggest the bushes need iron, and grayish-green leaves mean the plant needs more phosphorous.
-
Related Searches
References
- Ohio State University Extension: Fertilizing, Pruning and Winterizing Roses; Jane Martin, et al.
- Oregon State University Extension: Early Spring Good Time to Prune and Fertilize Roses; Carol Savonen
- Texas A&M University Extension: Fertilizing Roses; Todd Weinmann
- University of Arizona: Rose Care in the Low Desert; Lucy Bradley; October 2002
Resources
- Photo Credit Roses - pink. image by LiteWave from Fotolia.com
