Organic rose garden in containers
 

I have a container garden on a sunny balcony for almost 2 years. The
garden has a mixture of foliage plants, cacti and edibles, all grown
organically with great success. I never had a case of pests or disease
infestation, except for occasional pests that were short-lived. I am
now thinking of introducing roses to my container garden.
From other people's experience, I know that roses are demanding in
terms of watering and health care. There are recently on the market
some species of dwarf roses, which are small enough to be held in
containers. Did anyone try to raise them in containers with 100%
organic treatment ? If they get sick, is there an increased chance
they will spread the disease to the other plants as well ? Since
containers dry very quickly, does that increase disease casualties ?

Organic rose garden in containers
 

In Gabriel wrote:
Did anyone try to raise them in containers with 100%
organic treatment ?

No. Organic fertilisers in pots would be a tricky balance. Ideally the
liquid fertilisers like Miracle Gro would get the best results. You
could certainly try with slower release manures or bone meal, but the
nutrient balance isn't complete from them.

I've recently fed alfalfa pellets to my potted roses, and they are all
shooting like mad from the base of the plants. Quite amazing. I had my
suspicions that alfalfa (lucerne) did this to my ground based plants,
but my pots have proved the theory in no uncertain terms.


If they get sick, is there an increased chance
they will spread the disease to the other plants as well ?

Other roses, yes. Other plants, no.


Since
containers dry very quickly, does that increase disease casualties ?

Indirectly, yes. Weaken any plant and its disease resistance will
suffer too. On the other hand, pots can avoid some fungi and diseases
that spread through open soil.

Organic rose garden in containers
 

Gabriel wrote:

Did anyone try to raise them in containers with 100%
organic treatment ?

Sure. They do just fine if you pick sound, disease resistant roses. You
can effectively fertilize roses with fish emulsion and other organics,
including blood meal and fish meal as well as composted manures. It's
just more work. And as for pesticides, many roses are just fine without
them. But you must choose carefully.

If they get sick, is there an increased chance
they will spread the disease to the other plants as well ?

There's a chance, but the other plant would have to be a variety
susceptible to the same diseases. Fungi that infest roses are
generally strains that are rose specific, but there are undoubtedly
exceptions.

Since containers dry very quickly, does that increase disease
casualties ?

It can, if the rose is severely stressed. Water polymers are highly
recommended for roses grown in containers in dry climates.