High nitrogen can hurt root and flowering ability in cotoneaster plant. See excerpt from below link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0304423881900649 " Although root growth was not increased by either Nitrogen or Phosphorus, high N levels inhibited root growth." More link to show that too much phosphorus can hurt root & flowering: https://laidbackgardener.wordpress.com/2016/05/18/the-myth-of-starter-fertilizers/ "further studies showed that large quantities of phosphorous were not necessary for rooting. Yes, the soil must contain a small amount of phosphorus in order to stimulate rooting… but that’s also true of any other nutrient. If the soil totally lacks nitrogen, zinc or iron, that too will hamper rooting. In fact, plants actually root poorly in soils excessively rich in phosphorous. You’re far more likely to kill plant roots with 10-52-10 fertilizer than to stimulate their growth. " http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3788/ " When plants are grown in low phosphorus environments they emit organic acids from their root tips. These acids allow mycorrhizal fungi to penetrate the roots and form the networks that assist roots in absorbing water and nutrients. If the phosphorus levels are too high the roots do not emit the acid and the mycorrhizal networks do not form. This forces the plant to put more effort into root growth to compensate for the lack of mycorrhizae." U. of Colorado Extension has excellent info. on Organic fertilizers: "recent CSU research has shown that phosphorus from bone meal at NPK 3-15-0 is only available to plants in soils that have a pH below 7.0." On rock phosphate: Recent CSU research results concluded that no rock P (regardless of mesh size) is available for plant use unless the soil pH is below 7.0. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/gardennotes/234.html According to CSU, Kelp powder has NPK of 1-0-4, decent potassium, plus trace elements, only need 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per gallon, due to its high salt. **** From Straw: I tested bone-meal many times, with negative result in my soil pH near 8. 1) killed over a dozen geraniums by topping with bone-meal in hot summer .. that burnt their roots, but their colors were vivid at first. 2) put bone-meal in the planting hole of Sharifa Asma, the color DID NOT deepen, but really wimpy root, plus the soil got hardened. 3) Killed a $30 gallica rose gifted by a friend with bone-meal in the planting hole. 4) Made Crimson glory really wimpy by putting bone meal in the planting hole. 5) Made wimpy Yves-pink-seedling into a Black-spot fest by moving it, then put bone-meal in the planting hole. CONCLUSION: phosphorus is best in small amount as in 1/10 of potassium in rose-tissue analysis done by U. of CA at Davis. Phosphorus is best AS soluble, as in leaves, manure. Chicken manure at NPK 5-3-2 has plenty of phosphorus, plus trace elements zinc, copper, and boron.

Cori-Ann, The Canadian nursery, Pickering Nursery (out of business for a little while now), which so many Americans, especially Northerners, loved, grafted all their roses on multiflora rootstock. Before they closed they started to sell some roses as own root. I miss Pickering Nursery, as so many others do, too. Pickering was so meticulous about their propagation methods that during grafting season they brought in expert Belgian grafters from Europe to do their grafting. These Belgian craftsmen made their grafts extremely close to where the roots came out of the rootstock (which is very hard to do...great skill is needed by the grafter to make a successful take so low down on the rootstock). When such roses were market ready they looked like own root roses. It looked like the basal/bud union area where the canes emerged, had husky anchor roots emerging from it. I marveled at their roses, looking hard to find the rootstock. With such a short rootstock, about an inch long or less, suckering is reduced. The root zone of the rose upon planting is higher up in the soil, the most aerobic, organically productive soil zone. I have gotten grafted roses where the graft was six inches up the stalk. Plant such a rose with its bud union 4" below the soil as many folks do here in the North, the rose's feeder roots emerge a foot or more below the soil surface. That's not a very productive place for new roots to grow, even in good soil. Keep well all you grafted rose devotees, and you own root aficionados, too. Moses

I grow both Elina and New Dawn as own root plants. I am an own root enthusiast, so I don't grow roses that have to be grafted to grow well. New Dawn is so vigorous as an own root plant, I don't think that there would be any reason to graft it. Elina grows well on its own roots in my climate making a bushy shrub of about 3'. It blooms very well with good bloom count and good repeat..

Princess, you are so sweet! The roses are called Johann Strauss. I mail ordered them in the spring time, which is what you will probably have to do to get what you want. I planted them 18 inches apart on center, with the graft at least 4 inches under the dirt line. I added compost to the soil at that time and mixed it in. Then after I watered them well, let that drain in, I watered them again. Then I got a drip hose that meanererd through the roses and water them once a week for about 8 hours. I put pine bark mulch on top of the dirt, which I can do because I don't get diseases here... it may be different in your area. I feed them with Osmocote for flowers 1/4 cup for each rose every year in March and make sure it goes through the mulch down to the soil. You don't have to have drip irrigation to get roses like this. It just makes it easier if you do. If not, water well once or twice a week depending on the weather. Water more in high heat. Check with your local rose society for areas that sell roses. I know there is a place in Canada called Palentine that a lot of people on rose forum purchase roses from. And by the way, that row of roses contains both grafted and own-root roses. I love them all! Sadly, Johann Strauss is not widely available anymore. Northland Rosarium used to carry it and may again if enough people would request it. Johann Strauss winter kills to the ground every year here, but comes back strong to do what you see three times a season. Pretty remarkable for a rose in zone 4. Here is a link for Palantine roses. https://palatineroses.com/roses Scroll down and you will find some beautiful roses. I hope you find the roses you are looking for and enjoy them all!! Rebecca