On 11/13/2016 5:45 AM, Hypatia Nachshon wrote:
On Monday, November 7, 2016 at 1:48:00 PM UTC-8, Moe DeLoughan wrote:
On 11/6/2016 7:12 PM, David E. Ross wrote:

Unless it is dug down into where roots are growing -- and thus damaging
the roots -- 1 cup bone meal or superphosphate on any plant is wasted.


Rosarians have a tendency to fall into the
anything-worth-doing-is-worth-overdoing mindset, so that may account
for some of it. Phosphorus will move downward through the soil, but
very slowly, around 1-2 inches per year, and both superphosphate and
bone meal take considerable time to become available to the plant
anyhow. And, of course, soil pH can also affect the bioavailability.
For those reasons, over-application won't hurt, so somebody who just
has to go totally gung-ho will at least be safer over-applying those
products.

Rosarians hereabouts love magnesium sulphate for enhancing the yellow
and orange colors in roses, which just might be another reason for the
seemingly heavy recommendation for roses.

Thanks, Moe. Glad to learn that over-application won't hurt. Proceeding full steam ahead.


Am I correct in believing you are in southern California? If so, do not
feed your roses now. Feeding now will promote new growth, which you
will then have to prune away around the end of December. Instead, wait
until new shoots start to sprout in February or March.

--
David E. Ross

The Crimea is Putin's Sudetenland.
The Ukraine will be Putin's Czechoslovakia.
See http://www.rossde.com/editorials/edtl_PutinUkraine.html.