Q. How much should I be fertilizing my roses?
A. The amount of fertilizer for a rose depends on several things. First, the type of rose and how established it is. Is the rose a 5 year old hybrid tea? Then scratch in granular fertilizer according to the package directions at the drip line of the plant. This will probably be several cups of fertilizer, depending on the kind. If using liquid fertilizer, refer to the package for directions. Mix and pour around the drip line. If the rose is a miniature or miniflora, however, use only a small amount of granular fertilizer scratched in around the drip line. I use about ½ cup of granular fertilizer for an established mini. More than that can result in the growth of “vegetative centers”, which are ugly. This is a bloom that has a huge amount of unusual green growth in the center and should be removed as soon as it is discovered. If using the liquid fertilizer, use HALF or less than the recommended concentration amount for a large rose. I use about one cup of half-strength solution for established minis and mini floras.
Always remember to water very well before applying any fertilizer to prevent burning of the roots. Water well after applying the fertilizer and NEVER fertilize a dry plant!
-Pat Horbelt
A. The amount of fertilizer for a rose depends on several things. First, the type of rose and how established it is. Is the rose a 5 year old hybrid tea? Then scratch in granular fertilizer according to the package directions at the drip line of the plant. This will probably be several cups of fertilizer, depending on the kind. If using liquid fertilizer, refer to the package for directions. Mix and pour around the drip line. If the rose is a miniature or miniflora, however, use only a small amount of granular fertilizer scratched in around the drip line. I use about ½ cup of granular fertilizer for an established mini. More than that can result in the growth of “vegetative centers”, which are ugly. This is a bloom that has a huge amount of unusual green growth in the center and should be removed as soon as it is discovered. If using the liquid fertilizer, use HALF or less than the recommended concentration amount for a large rose. I use about one cup of half-strength solution for established minis and mini floras.
Always remember to water very well before applying any fertilizer to prevent burning of the roots. Water well after applying the fertilizer and NEVER fertilize a dry plant!
-Pat Horbelt