On 4/24/10 7:50 AM, James wrote:
I am a very new rose grower (I hope). I have read that Miracle Gro
plant food (the kind you mix in water), and fish emulsion are good basics.

Can I mix the two in one gallon of water , for one application ?

Are there better feeding products ? Is the water soluable Miracle Gro
better than a pelletized fertilizer (which I know would last longer, but
not as fast acting, right ?)

Thanks for any **basic** fertilizing tips !!

James



Roses like abundant nutrients. I follow this schedule --

First feeding of the season, just as leaf buds begin to open, for each
plant:
small handful of ammonium sulfate, for quick nitrogen
large handful of gypsum (calcium sulfate), to break up clay soil
2 TBS iron sulfate, for the iron needed to create chlorophyl
1 TBS Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate), to promote new shoots
You will notice that all of these contain sulfur. My soil is alkaline,
but roses prefer acid soil.

One month later:
Bayer's 2 in 1 Rose and Flower Care
This combines fertilizer and systemic insecticide. Although I don't use
this as frequently as the label recommends, I never see aphids, spider
mites, or similar insects; thus, I never have to spray.

One month later:
small handful of ammonium sulfate

Repeat monthly, alternating between the Bayer and the ammonium sulfate.

I cut all amounts in half for a shrublet rose growing in a large flower
pot, and increase all amounts 50% for three climbing roses.
The last feeding is not later than 15 October since I want growth to
slow before I prune around New Year.

Notice that phosphorus -- either bone meal or superphosphate -- is
missing. I stir about two handsful of superphosphate into the bottom
of each planting hole and then cover it with a little soil that has no
fertilizer at all before planting. This should last many years since
phosphorus does not readily disolve and leach away. Instead, it must be
placed where roots will find it (but not where very new roots are
starting to grow). This year, I used 1/4-inch steel rebar to poke holes
around some roses that were planted more than 20 years ago. I filled
the holes with bone meal, which was less likely to clog the holes than
the granular superphosphate and less likely to impact any roots that the
rebar directly hit. Phosphorus promotes flowering and root growth.

By the way, do not feed roses in the first year when they are planted,
other than phosphorus in the planting holes. You want the roots to grow
(phosphorus) and become thoroughly established before you promote
foliage (nitrogen).

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary