The Best Way To Feed Roses Organically & Naturally
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Oh my beloved blooms, how I love roses ! This is one plant that does benefit from fertilizing. The best way to feed roses, in my humble horticultural opinion, is the way that I've done it for years. As you know, I always garden organically and naturally because I feel it's best for the plants and the earth in general. The hundreds of roses that I maintained as a professional gardener always stayed healthy and beautiful - a winning combo.
Oh my beloved blooms, how I love roses ! This is one plant that does benefit from fertilizing. The best way to feed roses, in my humble horticultural opinion, is the way that I've done it for years. As you know, I always garden organically and naturally because I feel it's best for the plants and the earth in general. The hundreds of roses that I maintained as a professional gardener always stayed healthy and beautiful - a winning combo.
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This Ask Nell question came in from Sue in response to a comment I had made stating that I believed in amending and building up the soil with things like compost, worm castings, manure, etc more that I did in fertilizing. The exception to that is citrus, rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and roses. I found that these plants all benefited from a 1 time or ongoing dose of fertilizer.
My special blend is very simple:
Use approximately 1 to 2 cups for a large bush, 1 to 1 1/2 cups for a medium bush and 1/2 to 1 cup for smaller bushes. The box of rose and flower fertilizer will give you the guidelines. Because we had large quantities of roses to feed, mixing it up in bulk in a pail was the easy way to go. If you mix up too much, don't worry - just cover it up and save until the next feeding.
Simply dig a well about 4-6 deep around the base of the rose in between the trunk and the drip line. Roses don't have an extensive root system so don't go out too far. Be sure to water the mix in well and never fertilize a dry plant. If it's dry, then be sure to water first.
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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4 of 21 comments
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Nice chatting with you @Joy Us garden, have a great day!
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@Elaine Freimuth A belated "same to you!" Nell
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Aside from compost and manure to the soil , I used only Seamix which was seaweed and fish emulsion on my Santa Fe high desert rose garden and it was amazing , lots of flowers .
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@Skyval Good to know! I've never heard of Seamix before but I use liquid kelp on my container plants. Sounds very similar except no fish emulsion. Nell
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