Knockout Roses, plus
by
Stephen Andrew
(IC: blogger)
It's hard not to love a knockout rose. Disease resistant, profusely blooming, and vigorous growth. Although not entirely necessary a little bit of weekly maintenance goes a long way to make these desirable landscape elements perform even better.
I use knockouts along with annuals on my front steps. They stay there for one summer and then in the fall they are moved elsewhere.
1. I've found that fish and seaweed emulsion (I use Neptune's Harvest 10-30-20) is the best organic fertilizer to encourage as frequent rebloom as possible.
2. Sprinkling Epsom Salts around the base of the plant, about 1/2 cup. Once in May and once in August.
3. Deadheading. While it isn't imperative that you deadhead knockouts, I've noticed that judicious deadheading results in a faster turnaround in blooming.
4. Don't overwater! I live in central Ohio, zone 6A, where we have very hot and humid summers. It's easy to overwater containers when it's so hot. Test the soil with your finger before watering. If the soil is still moist, wait until the next day to water.
I use knockouts along with annuals on my front steps. They stay there for one summer and then in the fall they are moved elsewhere.
1. I've found that fish and seaweed emulsion (I use Neptune's Harvest 10-30-20) is the best organic fertilizer to encourage as frequent rebloom as possible.
2. Sprinkling Epsom Salts around the base of the plant, about 1/2 cup. Once in May and once in August.
3. Deadheading. While it isn't imperative that you deadhead knockouts, I've noticed that judicious deadheading results in a faster turnaround in blooming.
4. Don't overwater! I live in central Ohio, zone 6A, where we have very hot and humid summers. It's easy to overwater containers when it's so hot. Test the soil with your finger before watering. If the soil is still moist, wait until the next day to water.
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Published August 14th, 2013 10:05 AM
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How do they survive Winter in pots ?. I live in Chicago Zone 5.