What do you use to fertilize your container roses?

15 years ago

For the past few years, I have been using Bayer All in One and just cutting the amount in half for my container roses. It worked fine but was expensive. This year, I decided to spray the container roses and save some money. The only thing is, I have several fertilizers that I could use: Osmocote, and two Rose fertilizers. It's just that I remember being told that the potassium could be an issue for container roses. I don't remember what the exact recommendation was. Does anyone out there have an opinion? What works for you? Thanks for your input. CJ

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Comments (12)

triple_b
15 years ago
I have all mine in containers too. I bought a box of granular organic rose food by Myke's. Seems to work. Also the occasional banana peel and maybe some alfalfa tea.
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
15 years ago
Fish emulsion every two weeks works well for me.
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You, too, and good luck with your project. I've certainly thought about soil testing, and have always been stymied by not knowing who could do it. And the answer is idiotically simple: go to our local nursery and ask. Instead I'd rather do it the hard way (and it is hard). I never claimed to be a smart gardener. About my soil amending and fertilizing practices: I was much influenced by a book, 'Teaming with Microbes', that was recommended to me by my horticulturalist sister. Basically it talked about the importance of establishing a thriving soil microlife that then nourishes the garden plants. The gardener establishes a virtuous (as opposed to vicious) cycle in which the microlife supplies nutrients to the plants, which grow, die, and the detritus of which feeds the soil microorganisms which recycle the nutrients. Getting the process started is the hard part, in land like ours which is poor in organic matter--hence all the holes and amending--but which, once the cycle gets going well, can pretty much be left to itself. We have so much land to turn into garden that the work is enormous. But I look out my living room window right now at the garden outside (it used to be the farm courtyard), and I think, this works. I don't fertilize my two-story tall 'Jaune Desprez', the substantial shrubs of pittosporum, sarcococca, myrtle, the hardy palms and Tea roses. The bed gets pruning clippings and plant debris, and everything grows fine. Of course we have our clay soil. But if you look at Florida, for example, much of it has very poor sandy soil. And yet jungles grow there. The nutrition isn't coming from the mineral-rich soil, and not from any added fertilizer. It's due to the recycling of nutrients.
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Quote from Cynthia's roses, "What is this fertilizer you speak of??" Seriously, I made an unusual effort this year and fertilized them all once in the spring, though I didn't notice any particular difference from last year. Every year I pull out the liquid fertilizer and swear I'm going to top up at least the wimpy roses later in the spring and summer with a weak solution, and every year the bottles get rained on and that's about it. At least by fall I have the excuse not to bother. I agree in principle with not fertilizing in the last 6-8 weeks before the first hard frost, but I've hardly put that to the test even remotely any year. By Halloween however I'll probably go put away those extra bags of fertilizer and Ironite that have been sitting on my front porch since April. I think that counts as fertilizer work, right? Cynthia
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I agree that seems like a lot of fertilizer (and work for you!) I embrace “feed the soil” vs worrying about precise NPK numbers. I’ll throw around a couple cups of whatever organic granulated fertilizer around each mature rose— aiming more for the drip line, not right against the base— then top dress with compost. I alternate brands/formulas because I feel the variety of ingredients is beneficial (offers varying amounts of bone meal/feather meal/bat guano etc) I add a handful of alfalfa, substitute mushroom compost for regular compost, or add worm castings. I’m also in PNW & my routine is similar to JimF above...prune (as early as) presidents day, first fertilizer tax day (April 15) & fertilize again after main first flush. Some years I mange to get a last fertilizer end July/early August. For quite a few years I used to sprinkle timed release osmocote fertilizer around roses with first feed. I feel like I have less midge damage without it. (As oldrosarian mentioned above I think that higher nitrogen fertilizer pushed out quick soft tender growth because that’s always where I’d first see aphids & midge.) I know you’re asking about fertilizing but honestly over the last 20(?) years obsessed with roses I believe breaking up clay/building soil with compost and finally adding drip irrigation to make sure my roses were well watered during our dry summers has achieved more than any special fertilizer ingredient/formula/regimen.
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judith5bmontreal
15 years ago
I alternate every two weeks - Fish emulsion/Liquid Seaweed/compost tea, both on the soil and as a foliar feed. In spring, and mid-summer I sprinkle on some of the same Myke's granular organic that triple B uses. They all seem healthy and happy. In my zone, nothing after August lst. I would be interested to know what that issue with potassium and container roses is about, though. You should be o.k. with organics.
Judith
rosesnpots
15 years ago
I use Peter Beales Natural Rose Care Program which has 3 forumals, one for spring, one for summer,and one for the fall. I have been very please with the results. In between feedings I will toss in alpha pellets and use liquid seaweed/fish emulsion in the soil.
triple_b
15 years ago
Hmmm I have a bucket out back with some really ripe alfalfa tea and I am scared to open it.
carla17
15 years ago
Neptune's Harvest, little rose tone, alfalfa, Mills Easy Feed. Whatever when I feel like it. I don't feed pots often enough probably.

Carla
mexicanhat
15 years ago
I need to feed more often, too. Have been using Safers Oxygen Plus, Neptunes Harvest, and a tiny bit of MG. I also put in some Osmocote in Spring.

I know I don't feed enough because this stuff has lasted me forever, and don't know if it will ever get used up! I'm tired of looking at it!!
paparoseman
15 years ago
I use a small amount of Puyallup Rose fertilizer. In small doses- a teaspoon in a 1 or 2 gallon pot it perks the roses up quickly. I could give you enough to do a good size pot ghetto, gated community. Osmocote also works well.

Lance
buffington22
15 years ago
This year I have been fertilizing every Monday with Miracle Gro Rose food. The potted roses are healthier and bloom more than ever. I have also been using alfalfa tea for the first time and it is great stuff for every plant!
nicole__
15 years ago
I mulch in with horse manure in November, but in your zone manure tea would be the "natural" way. "go green" It's also free at the local riding stables. Someone on another thread was saying how expensive bayer was if you have a lot of roses, so.............
barbarag_happy
15 years ago
I'm alternating fish emulsion, alfalfa tea, and Mill's Magic Liquid. From time to time I've tried applying Rose-Tone or Mill's Magic to the soil but liquids are sooo much easier. I like to spread a llittle compost on the top of the soil, as they do seem to "sink" a little over time. Since it's so hot here I put about 1/2" of shredded hardwood mulch to keep them from drying out so fast. I've only been growing roses in containers for 3 years so I'm still developing a routine, I like to ready what everybody is doing. Mine haven't been getting their share of coffee grounds and banana peels-- I think the potted roses would enjoy them, don't know why I never gave them any before.
roseman
15 years ago
In the spring I go to Lowes, and in the fertilizer section I'll buy four or five solubles of different analyses. Since I have a watering system for my container roses, I use the measure provided with the fertilizers to put the dry around the drip line every month and let the irrigation do the rest. I rotate the solubles every month so they are not stuck on a steady diet of just one thing. Works for me.

What do you use to fertilize your container roses?

Comments (12)

triple_b

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23

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