Fertilizing rosesis a very important procedure in the care of these shrubs. The lack of proper fertilization very quickly affects the appearance of roses, which lose their nice appearance, bloom poorly and become susceptible to diseases. It is important that we choose the rightrose fertilizerbut also apply it at the right time. Seehow, when and what to fertilize the rosesso that they bloom luxuriantly and grow he althily!
How, when and with what to fertilize roses?
How to fertilize roses?
To fertilize roseswe can use organic or mineral fertilizers.
1. Organic fertilizers for roses
Organic fertilizers, such as compost and manure, improve the structure of the soil, creating better conditions for the development of beneficial soil microorganisms and maintaining a constant level of humus in the soil. They are especially recommended for dry, sandy and barren soils, as well as neglected as a result of many years of fertilization with mineral fertilizers only.
The bestorganic rose fertilizer is manure , which should be composted (at least for 6 months), because fresh one can burn the roots of the shrubs. If we use manure to fertilize roses, and the plants do not show any deficiencies, we can completely abandon the use of mineral fertilizers.
If we do not have access to composted manure, we can buy granulated manure in stores or choose Substral granular organic fertilizer, also rich in organic substances. Both fertilizers should be applied once a season - in spring or autumn.
2. Mineral fertilizers for roses
In a situation where we have a lot of plants in the garden and the organic fertilizers used are not able to meet all their needs or we simply see that the shrubs are ailing, it is worth reaching for granulated, multi-component mineral fertilizers for roses. It is best to usespecialist rose fertilizersWe can also use universal fertilizers for flowering garden plants, but remember that the optimal ratio of the main minerals in fertilizers, i.e. nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), should be 2: 1: 3.
For the fertilization of roses, we can usefast-acting granular fertilizers, the subsequent doses of which must be sprinkled under the roses once a month from March to July. When choosing this type of fertilizer, it is worth paying attention to the fact that in addition to the basic macronutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the fertilizer for roses also contains a set of necessary microelements.Thanks to thiswe will provide roses with all the necessary ingredientsand avoid symptoms related to deficiencies of minerals, such as weaker leaf color or poor flowering. An example of a good rose fertilizer that provides all the necessary brands and micronutrients is Target micronutrient rose fertilizer.
If we do not have too much time to add more doses of fertilizers and we are looking for the least labor-consuming solutions, a good solution will be to uselong-acting rose fertilizers , the ingredients of which are gradually released into the soil and provide optimal plant nutrition throughout the season. An example of such a fertilizer is Substral Osmocote for roses, which releases nutrients for 6 months.It is enough to sprinkle this fertilizer under the roses once a season - in springAn additional advantage is the fact that due to the very slow release of minerals from the Osmocote fertilizer, less minerals are leached into the soil and the plant uses them better.Therefore, Osmocote is used in lower doses than fertilizers that dissolve faster.
When to fertilize roses?
Before planting roses in the garden, the soil is properly prepared, usually with manure. Therefore, in the first year after planting the roses, we do not fertilize.The first fertilization is carried out in the second year of cultivation after the spring cuttingDepending on the fertilizer used, we fertilize the roses 1 to 3 times per season:
- Fertilize roses with manure every 2-3 years . We use it only once a season, on two dates: in early spring (March) or autumn (October-November), when picking roses for the winter.
- Compost fertilization should be done 3 times per season . We use compost for the first time in March. The next fertilization with compost is carried out in May-June. The last time we use compost in October-November for mowing.
- We apply granular mineral fertilizers for roses 3 times a seasonThe first fertilization is carried out at the beginning of April. The second is when flower buds appear, usually in May-June. We carry out the third fertilization of roses with fast-acting fertilizers by 15 July at the latest. Subsequent fertilization delays the lignification of the tissues and makes the shrubs very sensitive to low temperatures.
- 4. Long-term fertilizers (100 days) are used twice in the season- at the end of March or the beginning of April and the second time in May-June.
- Use extra long-acting fertilizers for rosesin early spring (mid-March) only once a season.
How to fertilize roses?
Spread a layer of manure or compost around the rose bush and dig it with the soil at a depth of 15-20 cmUse about 5 kg of compost or composted manure per 1 m². When using granulated manure, which is a concentrated fertilizer, it is enough to sprinkle 1-2 handfuls under each bush.In autumn, compost or manure mixed with soil is used to create mounds that protect the roses from frost.
Mineral fertilizers are sprinkled around the trunk of the rose bushes and, using a rake, mixed with the soilThen the shrub is plentifully watered with water. Thanks to such treatments, the fertilizer will dissolve in the soil faster and reach the roots faster. Usually 40-50 g of fertilizer (about 1 handful) is enough to feed one rose bush. However, the exact dosage should be checked on the fertilizer packaging.
If the shrubs show strong fertilization deficiencies (e.g. leaf chlorosis),roses should be fertilized by foliar applicationThis fertilization should be done once a month, preferably on a cloudy day or in the evening, to avoid sunburn. For foliar fertilization, we use soluble or liquid fertilizers (e.g. Target soluble fertilizer for roses, Pokon fertilizer for roses and garden flowers). Foliar fertilization of roses should be completed in mid-July.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
