Fertilizers

by Anne Theivagt

I thought that this month we would talk about fertilizers. The only thing roses love more than water is fertilizer.   All fertilizers, chemical or organic, are rated with 3 numbers like 10-10-10; these numbers reflect the content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P). and potassium (K). 10-10-10 is said to be balanced, with equal amounts of N, P, K. 10-5-5 has twice as much nitrogen as phosphorus, and phosphorus and potassium are equal.

 NITROGEN is needed at the beginning of the season because it stimulates growth, and it is important for strong canes, large blooms and rich green foliage.

 PHOSPHORUS stimulates root growth, perhaps you have added Super phosphate, or Bone Meal to your planting holes when you plant a new rose, this is a great way to get those roots going.

 POTASSIUM promotes root growth and hardening of the canes and stems.  It’s an important nutrient in chlorophyll development through photosynthesis and starch formation.

 While the above three nutrients are the main ones, roses need secondary nutrients and micronutrients, although in substantially lesser amounts, including Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts), Calcium Sulfate (Gypsum), Dolomitic Lime, Borax, Chelated Iron, Iron Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper, Zinc, and Molybdenum.

 It is important to find a fertilizer that contains the top three, plus the secondary and micronutrients.  I use Puyallup Rose Society’s dry fertilizer, but I believe that any fertilizer is OK There are people who use one fertilizer for grass, roses, flowers and shrubs with good results.

Roses can and will take up nutrients through their foliage. For every gallon of fungicide spray I make I add 1 Tablespoon of Peters^© or Miracle Gro^©. This year I am going to try a new foliar feed called Response.  Response is a seaweed-based foliar feed fertilizer.  I have not used any seaweed products before, but I have heard that the roses respond extremely well to these products.  Response can be purchased from Rosemania.com.

Dennis Konsmo gave me a recipe that he called his 5-meal recipe.  I have a bed that is not doing very well.  He advised me to put 1 cup of each of theses meals around each rose:  Blood, Fish, Alfalfa, Bone and Kelp. I also added Epsom Salts.  I bought a small can with a lid and have mixed this up; I put 5 cups of this mixture around each bush these plants should start perking up soon.

Whatever you decide to fertilize with, be sure to follow the directions. Over-fertilizing can damage your plant; under-fertilizing can result in roses bushes that don’t produce or grow well.  With Puyallup Rose Society’s fertilizer, I put 1 cup around the drip line of each bush every 6 to 8 weeks.  I also use the liquid fertilizers every week or so.