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Antique Roses Roses

Rose soil Additives

last year

last modified: last year

This is an update on the Super Thrive post. I did not yet find the article from the ARS website where it debated the benefits of Epson and Alfalfa. I know epson has long been debated but alfalfa has always been a spring addition for most of us.

I Found this article on ARS March 2020 that summarizes most of what we use. I enjoyed learning and reviewing these items, most of add to our roses. Maye you will also.

https://www.rose.org/single-post/nutrient-research-scientific-research-on-some-favorite-amendments

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BenT (NorCal 9B Sunset 14)

last year

For those interestied in trying earthworm castings, Costco has a 10lb package for $11.49

Amazon also has the Wiggle Worm brand at 30lbs for about $31.

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Comments (12)

Bob Atchison - Pallasart - Hagia Sophia
last year
Thank you Austin!
Austin
Original Author
last year

this did not come over with post... it is a summery maybe it will work now or maybe Houzz does not like it. We shall see
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Msgirl: Your Nicole Carol Miller is very healthy & nice leaves. Cottagegarden: I went out to check my rootings in shade ... noticed few tree-leaves that haven't decomposed yet. Then it dawned on me that leaves from trees can change the surface pH of soil. I have 2 river birch trees (seedless variety), 1 Heritage Birch (very vigorous), and 2 white birch. I tested the pH of the bark on my Heritage Birch tree: very acidic, more so than pine-bark. My lawn near birch trees is lush & dark green & no dandelions. But the lawn in front with less trees is chlorotic (pale), and lots of dandelions. Since Heritage birch is vigorous, it secrets plenty of acid to go through my rock-hard clay. Its leaves are quite acidic, thus fertilized my lawn to a deep green. I don't rake leaves in the fall. If the soil sample has leaves in it, it will change to acidic. It takes years before the leaves are fully composted to neutral pH. For pH values of fresh leaves: http://www.asecular.com/forests/phleaves.htm Most acidic is Eastern Redbud (pH 4.3), Virgninia pine (pH 4.4), sugar maple (4.5), black maple (5.4), black walnut (pH 4.6), white oak (4.6), black oak (5 to 5.5), white ash (5.8 to 6.1), American Beech (5.8 to 6.9), flowering dogwood (5.5 to 6), Slipper elm (7 to 7.9), Hackberry at pH 8.
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What do you have for soil there presently? You may want to match that as closely as possible. Fill dirt and "topsoil"are not the same thing and should not be used interchangeably. "Topsoil" is the top 6 to 12 inches of soil from someplace and is not a magic elixir for anything. I have posted this article many times but some never seem to learn from it. http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/the_shocking_truth_about_topsoil Below about 8 inches there is no need to put anything except some subsoil because that soil will not support much life due to lack of adequate air. You do want some clean, no debris, fill soil for that first 16 to 18 inches and the least expensive material you can get. Then look for some really good soil, something like about 45 percent sand, 25 percent silt, 25 percent clay and 5 percent organic matter for the last 6 to 8 inches. kimmq is kimmsr
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I grow potatoes in "fabric" grow bags, and you will read different opinions on how to do things. Growing potatoes is very easy, and it is hard to totally screw them up. I don't bury new green growth, the plants need sun, and it's not like the taller stalks will be ruined. You can add more soil whenever it seems to be appropriate to you. They should be at some depth, but the idea that if you keep adding soil higher and higher endlessly it will make them much more productive is an exaggeration.
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I agree with you that an own root rose can be planted without the burying the graft feature needed in z6. It would be a shame to bury that new growth. One trick for burying new growth I've read for clematis is one seats the new planting below ground level as they are supposed to be planted, and leaving a well around tender new growth without filling it in immediately. One can fill in the well in the Fall when the stems are hardened off. That allows the right depth planting without smothering/rotting soft new growth. One could do this too with a rose even own root that was too tender for your zone.
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Austin
Original Author
last year
Wiggle Worms from Amazon 15 lbs. for $24.

Add 4 cups per established bush/ 4 c equals a pound. Just ordered some for my son and looked up how much per bush to see if the cost was worth it for his garden. I used lots in the pots of the roses I brought with me to Austin in Dec 2021, and I felt it made a significant difference. Nothing scientific if Paul is reading :)) just an observation.
Embothrium
last year
The contrarian rosarian–debunking rose mythology – The Garden Professors™
BenT (NorCal 9B Sunset 14)
last year
Very informative article, thanks for sharing!
susan9santabarbara
last year
Thanks for sharing the article. Embothrium's "Contrarian Rosarian" article is also good reading.
Austin thanked susan9santabarbara
judijunebugarizonazn8
last year
Very interesting, Austin! I am always glad to learn more. Now if worm castings are so beneficial to the soil, I would think that earthworms living in my soil would be equal or even superior to adding castings to my soil? I was told when I moved here that we don’t have earthworms in our soil in this semi desert climate. Not true! I feed my soil lots of compost, horse manure and other Organics and I have lots of earthworms now after 4 years of gardening.
Austin
Original Author
last year
I spent 13 yrs nurturing my soil in Dallas. I swear a shovel full of dirt was 1/3 worms. All the birds made my garden their dining spot. The brave robins would look me in the eye while they ate not 2 feet away. I never added worm casting but always said I could grow rocks. Now I know why.
…. Although I did get pest not many and easily controlled (except for white flies a couple of years)
Austin
Original Author
last year
Hoping it will work as well in this temporary pot gardening….
librarian_gardner_8b_pnw
last year
Judi, I wonder at the experience of folks who told you that. I grew up gardening in Arizona and always had earthworms in my composted and mulched garden. 😅

Looks like I have the same approach to soil as Austin and Judi. Compost and mulch. And the birds love feasting n my garden too.
rosecanadian
last year
Really good info here. :)

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