Feeding your Roses
When feeding your roses remember that roses make heavy demands on the reserves of plant foods in the soil. If one or more of the vital elements are in short supply, then hunger signs appear on leaves or flowers. To avoid this feeding your roses should be a regular event. The best way to achieve this is to use proprietary compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphates and potash.
Powder or granular fertilizer is the usual form sprinkled around the plants in spring and summer. The most famous powder mixture is Tonks formula, devised about 100 years ago. The modern version of this is Toprose Fertilizer, which contains magnesium and iron plus gypsum as well as the three major plant foods.
Liquid fertilizers are available in bottles, such as Bio Plant Food, or as boxes of soluble powder, such as Miracle Grow. Regular repeat treatments are necessary during the season.
Foliar Feeding has become very popular among Rose Gardeners. The specially formulated fertilizers are used to supplement and not replace soil feeding, and have the unique advantage of getting into the sap stream only hours after being sprayed onto the leaves. Trials have shown that the size of blooms have increased and the general health of the plant has improved.
The Feeding Programme
Granular or Powder Fertilizer - Approximately one small handful around each plant when the soil is moist. Hoe in lightly. Apply in Spring before the leaves are fully open. Repeat in June or July. Do not feed after the end of July as soft, frost-sensitive growth may be produced.
Liquid Fertilizer - Use where a large numer of roses have to be fed and where economy is an important factor. Use a diluted liquid or soluble fertilizer and apply through a hose-end dilutor.
Foliar Feeding - Keen Rose Gardeners believe in regular foliar feeding applied with a sprayer. Do not spray in bright sunlight.
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