How to Tell What Nutrients Your Roses Need

Most rose growers know that you need to feed the plants go get beautiful roses. But, how do you know if you are giving your roses what they need? Here are some tips to help you figure out what your roses need by watching how they are growing and developing.

Your roses will do best if you keep to a regular schedule when watering and feeding them. But, it is quite possible that, even if you are using fertilizer on them, they may develop a specific need that your fertilizer is not fulfilling for them. Sometimes how your plants look will help you determine what they need. If they are not looking healthy, then it is obvious they need something more and your plant is giving you clues that you should learn to read.

To be sure your plants get the most from the fertilizer you apply, it is important to water them correctly, as well. Always give your roses a good watering the day before you plan to feed them. Then, after you apply the fertilizer, water them again. This will help prevent fertilizer burn and get the nutrients where they need to be, which is down in the root system of the plant.

It is possible that your rose bush may have a nitrogen deficiency. Symptoms of this include stunted growth, pale green or yellow leaves, and weak stems. Nitrogen is the nutrient that plants need more than anything else. It helps them grow sturdy stalks and lots of leaves and flowers.

If your rose bush has lots of leaves but very few flowers and poor root development, it has a different deficiency. It probably has too much nitrogen. So, you will either have to get a different fertilizer or cut back on the nitrogen some other way.

When the leaves are dark green on the top and red to purple on the undersides, your roses have a deficiency in potassium. This nutrient help the plants move food. And without it, plants will not bloom. If the soil in your garden is sandy, it will be low in potassium and you will have to give your roses more boosts of this nutrient. Other symptoms of this deficiency include weak stems, low disease resistance, wilting and poor flower production.

If your plant is suffering from poor root growth, it may need a boost of phosphorus. It helps plant tissues mature and is very important in helping the plant make it through the cold winter months. This nutrient is found in much smaller amounts in plants than nitrogen.

It can be confusing when you first start growing roses. But, if you watch your plants they will tell you exactly what they need to grow healthy and strong. Hopefully, these tips will help you provide your roses with just the right type of nutrients they need to produce lovely flowers in your home garden.

SOURCE

Editors Rodale Organic Gardening Books. "Rodale Organic Gardening Basics Volume 4: Roses. St. Martin's Press. 2000. Pennsylvania.