What are the best fertilizers for roses?
Amongst all the flowers that exist, roses have the most colorful history.
They are not only recognized as symbols of love but beauty, war and politics as well.
As per fossil evidence, the rose flower is as old as 35 million years.
Scientific data shows that the genus Rosa has over 140 species, which are spread all over the Northern Hemisphere.
This widespread availability of roses is due to their garden cultivation, which began approximately 5,000 years ago in China.
Moreover, the flowers enjoyed much fame even during the Roman period when they were grown in the Middle East extensively.
Not only were they grown as decorations but they were also used for medicinal purposes.
The popularity of the roses has never completely fallen but has seen some ups and downs after the Roman Empire fell.
Roses were highly regarded during the 17th century as the royalty would often use rose water as legal tender.
Later in history, Napoleon’s wife grew an extensive collection of roses at the Chateau de Malmaison in the 1800s.
Roses did not commonly cultivate until the 18th century when the Europeans brought them from China.
Currently, the most famous roses are shrub roses and old garden roses. Gardeners understand that these roses fit today’s lifestyle.
Special attention is placed by gardeners to plant roses that are pest resistant, have winter hardness and fit perennial gardens.
To successfully grow your own rose flowers, you must be aware of some basic plant-growing requirements.
You must pay attention to plant selection, and the type of classes available in rose flowers.
Furthermore, you must have information about basic culture, potential disease, and pests. And lastly, you must have the right soil with the right nutrients.
The short guide will help you guide sort through some of the best fertilizers in the market, which will keep your rose shrub healthy and entice others to grow them as well.
We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Best Fertilizers for Roses
The best fertilizers for roses are all-purpose fertilizers with an NPK of 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 used in spring. Half a cup to one cup is needed per rose plant. Alternatively, you can use manure or osmocote slow-release fertilizer during the growing season.
The best fertilizers for roses are:
- Best for Rose Soil Texture – Dr. Earth Organic Rose & Flower Fertilizer
- Best All in One Option for Roses incl. Pest Control – Bayer’s All-In-One Rose & Flower Care
- Best Rose Fertilizer for More Flowers – Jobe’s Organics Rose Fertilizer Granules
Table of Contents
Best Fertilizers for Roses Reviews
Feeding your rose bushes the right type of fertilizer can be tricky.
It is important that we make a choice that will result in hardy plants with stunning blossoms.
That is why there are a few things that you must keep in mind when fertilizing roses.
There are several types of rose fertilizers available in the market. Some of these are known for being organic while some are not.
A good fertilizer will enrich the soil and maintain the right pH balance for the root systems of your rose bushes to work efficiently.
First of all, if you are looking to improve the growth rate of roses on your bushes, then the Bloom Boosting Fertilizer, is the right choice for you.
However, if you want to improve the way your already existing roses look, then you must try the Strengthening Fertilizer.
Additionally, if you wish to improve both the soil and the rose bush, then you must go for the Organic Fertilizer.
Let’s read ahead about the top rose fertilizer available in the market along with their pros and cons.
Dr. Earth Organic Rose & Flower Fertilizer – Best for Soil Texture
Another organic fertilizer to give your blooms the nutrition they need. This is a 100% natural fertilizer with no chicken ingredients.
This product’s one of the best for your soil’s texture. It penetrates into the soil and, over time, loosens the texture of the soil to make it more suitable for the plants.
It contains Ecto and Endo Mycorrhizae that is really good for your roses if they are going through a dry phase.
This fertilizer helps your blooms by providing them with moist conditions where they can grow to their fullest.
Roses like to be in soils that have moisture in them because if they dry out too much, they will start to wilt and eventually die.
This fertilizer contains nutrients that improve the soil’s quality over time.
It changes the texture and makes it more mineral enriched so your blooms can be bigger and better in size and quality.
This is complete nutrition for your plants because it contains all the minerals that your rose plant might need.
To make it reach the roots properly, you can dig up the soil and place it below, or you can simply mix it with water and give that water to the plant so that it can seep in and get to the roots.
Pros
- It consists of organic and natural ingredients
- Contains no harmful chemicals
- Improves soil conditions for better blooms
- Safe around pets
Cons
- Has a strong and unpleasant odor that might put people off
- A bit slow results because it improves the soil, it does not just improve the bloom
To have a detailed look at the product, click here.
Bayer’s All-In-One Rose & Flower Care – Best All in One Option incl. Pest Control
Bayer outdid itself by providing all-in-one care for your rose plant.
The fertilizer acts as a plant food as it promotes strong roots and long-lasting blooms.
The fertilizer has natural insect killers as well, which kill Japanese beetles, aphids, leafhoppers, and several other pests.
You can read about them in detail on the bottle cover.
The fertilizer has disease-controlling properties as it prevents black spots, powdery mildew, rusting, blighting, and much more. Bayer’s all-in-one is your ultimate fungicide.
This fertilizer does not run away due to heavy rain as it has systemic rainproof protection, which can last up to 5 weeks as well as protects 32 roses at least.
PROS
- Easy to spread
- Simple to Use
- Easy on the wallet
CONS
- Contains neonicotinoids
- Harms insects important for roses like bees
If you want to invest in an all-in-one fertilizer, then click here!
Jobe’s Organics Rose Fertilizer Granules – Best Rose Fertilizer for More Flowers
This is a fertilizer that will bring your rose plants back to life if they are wilting or looking a little weak.
This rose fertilizer encourages growth and gives plants the nutrients they require to grow healthy and naturally.
This fertilizer is the best for giving quick and satisfactory results.
Your plants will bloom to their fullest if you keep giving them Rose and Flower granular plant food throughout the bloom season.
This is a USDA-certified organic fertilizer without any synthetic chemicals.
It breaks down and gets into the soil to make the environment favorable for the plants to grow in.
It protects the roses from insects and pests to make sure they are given ideal conditions to grow into their best selves.
This fertilizer works better than most organic fertilizers.
It promotes stronger roots and healthier growth for the plant, which results in a bloom that is impressive in size and quality.
It also brightens your rose’s colors and the fragrance more strong.
Using this fertilizer for your roses will give you more flowers in less time in comparison to the other organic fertilizers out there.
PROS
- Organic and natural product
- Ideal for older plants that need to be revived
- Impressive bloom and flower size and quality
- Quicker results
- Certified by USDA
CONS
- The bad odor that might be a turn off for some users
- Might be a bit harsh for smaller and newer plants
To find out more, click here.
J R Peters Jacks Classic No.4 10-30-20 Blossom Booster Fertilizer – 51064
If you are looking for a fertilizer that dissolves easily and is simple to use, J R Peters Blossom Booster is for you.
The fertilizer is in an already diluted state, which means it releases nutrients gradually over a 4-month time period.
The bottle is 1x1x1 inches and weighs about 4 pounds.
The fertilizer is high in phosphates, which provides the right kind of micronutrient package.
The presence of micronutrients strengthens your rose shrub’s roots and makes the green foliage healthy.
Gardeners don’t have to fret over the chemical composition and can directly apply the fertilizer to the rose shrub.
The light chemicals protect the shrub from burning when used as per the instructions provided.
The best part about the product is the free measuring spoon that comes with it.
That means you do not have to go around looking for another measuring utensil when you can get one for free!
PROS
- Dissolves easily
- Simple to use
CONS
- Quantity lower than other fertilizers
- Not a pleasant smell
If you enjoy the satisfaction of seeing your rose shrubs bloom and some free giveaways then click this link to get your J R Peters Classic fertilizer.
Organic Rose & Flower Fertilizer Mix 4-8-4
The Organic Rose and Flower fertilizer mix come in a five-pound box. It is an all-natural fertilizer that has a 4-8-4 formula.
The formula works perfectly for rose shrubs giving them vigorous and sensational flowers.
The fertilizer blend provides a good amount of nitrogen, with a boost of potassium.
The extra phosphorus helps to improve plant vitality and photosynthesis.
The nitrogen in the fertilizer improves the soil around the rose bush by helping the plant have greener foliage.
Apart from the extra phosphorous and ample nitrogen, the fertilizer also has potassium and several other trace elements.
The latter formula improves the water retention properties of the rose shrub’s roots.
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) has endorsed the fertilizer for use in the market for vegetables and flower beds.
The fertilizer has some important ingredients like Alfalfa meal, humates, and kelp meal.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Value for money
CONS
- The bottle size could be too small for some gardeners
If you are someone who is looking to plant their first rose bulbs, this fertilizer mix is the right choice for you.
Click here to get yours today.
Dr. Earth Total Advantage Rose & Flower Fertilizer
Dr. Earth’s fertilizer is the only known non-GMO verified fertilizer within the USA. The product comes in four sizes: 1lb, 4lb, 12lb, and 25 lb.
The product claims to be pet and people safe. That means you do not have to keep looking after your pets or kids in case they end up ingesting the soil.
The fertilizer is handcrafted with humans as well as feed-grade ingredients.
It is also enriched with multi-minerals, carbohydrates, humic acids, and trace elements that keep the soil healthy.
The end result is a healthy rose bush with many flowers.
The fertilizer is endorsed by the Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI), Organic Input Materials (OIM), California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), and the National Organic Program (NOP). They claim that Dr. Earth’s fertilizer has the highest level of purity and transparency.
The N-P-K ratio of this fertilizer is 4-6-2. This allows the fertilizer to work well in the Pacific Northwest.
PROS
- Immediate results
- Organic ingredients
CONS
- Not easily available
If you want to try this highly endorsed product for your rose bushes, click here and get yours today!
Miracle-Gro® Shake ‘n Feed® Rose & Bloom Plant Food
This fertilizer Miracle-Gro is one of a kind. It comes in 3 sizes; 1lb, 4.5 lb, and 8 lb.
The product contains micronutrients that help roses grow strong and vibrant.
The fertilizer has a granular texture. This results in slow uptake and adds to the longevity of the product. The NPK ratio is 10-8-9.
The manufacturers claim that this particular fertilizer does not need to be used much as it keeps the soil nourished for at least 3 months.
Up to 33 square feet or 6 bushes of roses can be covered with this fertilizer.
This particular version of Miracle Grow’s rose food has natural ingredients, which help the soil microbes thrive.
Healthy soil microbes promote root strength and development, which improves water uptake.
The product works best once you have applied it to dried-up soil.
Otherwise, clogging may occur, which is counterproductive to the root’s health.
PROS
- It’s easy to use
- Can be spread on the soil easily
- Easy on the pocket
CONS
- The instructions on the label are not easy to read
- Has a strong smell
If you want to improve the microbe’s health around your rose bushes soil, then click here to get the product today!
Jobe’s 09423 Organics Flower & Rose Granular Fertilizer
This particular fertilizer from Jobe’s is an organic granular fertilizer that is fast-acting.
Now you must wonder how a granular fertilizer can be fast-acting?
Jobe’s did quite a good job with this product when they added Biozomes.
Jobe’s Biozomes are proprietary microorganisms that break down the fertilizer aggressively, allowing fast absorption.
This results in immediate improvement in soil and healthy, disease-resistant rose bushes.
The fertilizer is OMRI approved. This means Jobe’s organic fertilizer has no synthetic chemicals. It is natural and safe to use.
The N-P-K level in the product is 3-5-3. The nitrogen level is 3%, phosphorus 5%, and potassium 3%. This makes the fertilizer all-purpose. The fertilizer works best when applied at planting and every 6 weeks.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Easy on the wallet
CONS
- Has a strong smell
- Instructions on the label are not detailed
If you are looking for a granular but fast working fertilizer, click here and get your Jobe’s 09423 Organics Flowers and Rose fertilizer.
Espoma RT4 4-Pound Rose-Tone 4-3-2 Plant Food
Epsoma’s RT4-4 is an all-natural fertilizer. It is known for being enhanced with thousands of microbes, which have been approved for organic gardening.
Professional gardeners sing its praises as it provides safe and long-lasting nutrients.
The best part is that the product is made in the US so you can verify its ingredients.
The fertilizer has been awarded for having all 15 essential nutrients.
The fertilizer has a complex blend of organic as well as micronutrients.
This makes the fertilizer environment-friendly as it has no toxic ingredients.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Spreads easily
- Value for money
CONS
- Not recommended for use on new transplants or bushes in their first year
If you are looking for a fertilizer with all the 15 essential nutrients, then click here and get yours today!
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Rose Plant Food
There are various methods of giving nutrients to your roses. One way is to give them nutrients directly mixed with water, so it goes straight into the soil.
Using granule fertilizers can harm the roots of the plant and can result in wilting.
Miracle-gro rose plant food is a water-soluble fertilizer that you have to dilute in water before giving to your plants.
It is better because the nutrients can properly reach the roots and keep the plant healthy.
For bigger and vibrant flowers, you need to give your rose plant Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Rose Plant Food at least once every week or two.
This fertilizer gives faster results and causes quicker growth in plants.
This fertilizer is inorganic, so if you have kids or pets in your house that could come in direct contact with the plant, then you should avoid using it and go for an organic fertilizer instead.
Miracle-Gro is your go-to fertilizer to get instant results. The product comes in 6 packings; 8oz, 1.5lb, 3lb, 4lb, 5.5lb, and 10lb.
The fertilizers N-K-P composition is 18-24-16. The fertilizer is recommended to be given after every 2 weeks.
Moreover, the product is endorsed by the American Rose Society.
The product is not completely organic but when used as directed, chances of burns reduce.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Value for money
- Results in bigger and prettier flowers
- Best for younger and more fragile plants
- Water-soluble, provides faster result and quicker growth
- Easy nutrition for the roses
CONS
- Packaging is too small
- Inorganic, could be a threat for pets
- More expensive than other fertilizer brands
- Since it is water-soluble, you would require it in larger quantities
If you want to use a very small amount of fertilizer but get the best results, click here and get yours today.
Jobe’s Organic Rose Spikes
Jobe’s Organic fertilizer is a must to feed your roses if you are looking to plant new roses.
The fertilizer has a 3:5:3 ratio with 3% being nitrogen and potassium respectively and 5% being phosphorous.
The packaging comes in pre-measured spikes, therefore, making the process less messy.
It comes in 4 sizes; 50 spikes, 6 spikes, 10 spikes, and 12 spikes. The product has also received certification from USDA and OMRI.
The ingenious addition of Biozome adds to the advantages of choosing Jobe’s fertilizer over others as it is a combination of healthy bacteria, fungi, and arche.
Their unique blend promotes long-lasting plant growth as well as resistance to diseases and pests.
Bone meal is another ingredient in the fertilizer, which enriches the soil with phosphorus and calcium.
The minerals promote blooming, healthy fruit and strong roots.
The fertilizer also contains feather meal.
This particular addition is a rich source of nitrogen, which keeps the leaves healthy.
Lastly, this fertilizer has a good amount of Potassium, which is important to improve water retention.
By improving the aforementioned feature, the bushes grow strong with nutrient absorption and enzyme activity.
PROS
- Environment-friendly
- Children-friendly
- Pet-friendly
- Prevents run-off
- Does not cause burning
CONS
- Easily molds
If you are looking for a no-hassle plantation process for your new rose addition; get Jobe’s Organic Rose Spikes fertilizer today!
BlueGold® Rose Blend (Rose Food)
Roses grow the best in early summers and pre-monsoon. But what if you wanted them all year round? BlueGold Rose Blend can make that possible. The fertilizer lets a gardener enjoy the bushes bloom all year round.
Many rose enthusiasts talk about their roses having explosive foliage and healthy root growth after using this fertilizer. The product boosts terpene levels in the leaves of the shrub, which improves flowering cycles and vibrant colors.
The BlueGold Rose Blend is completely natural and NOP compliant. That means the agent used to formulate this fertilizer is at a safe pH and is made of certified organic herbs, minerals, plant oils, and extracts.
The parent website for the product claims that the product is manufactured without the use of high heat, acids, solvents, or any other harsh chemicals. This allows higher levels of nutrients and the preservation of biological strains.
To use this product for the best results, a foliar feed is recommended. The fertilizer has “water wetter” properties that improve uptake and penetration of nutrients.
PROS
- Improves soil for uptake
- Can be applied at all growth stages
- Eliminates root rot condition
CONS
- Cannot be used in combination with other chemicals.
BlueGold® Rose Blend (Rose Food).
The Rose Fertilizer Buying Guide
Fertilizer Grade
Before you decide to buy a good fertilizer for your rose bushes, you must understand why choosing the right one is so important.
The fertilizer application is just as important for the rose as it is for any other plant in floriculture.
The feeding process dictates the quality and quantity of the roses that will be produced.
The process also determines the look of the leaf color, stem strength, and longevity.
Fertilizers contain macronutrients and micronutrients, which are not easy for the plant to get directly from the soil. A good fertilizer is easily absorbed by plant cells.
Out of all the elements, the most important ones are deficient in the soil; nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
Nitrogen is essential in producing healthy leaves, phosphorus stimulates flowers and fruits, whereas potassium improves respiration and transpiration.
Fertilizer packages usually have a mixture of these elements; N-P-K.
For example, if the packaging shows 3:5:3, it means it has 3 parts nitrogen and potassium and 5 parts phosphorus.
If you are looking for a fertilizer, which will improve root strength and flowering, then you should go for this one.
Apart from the above-mentioned elements, roses need calcium and iron.
Calcium improves the resistance to pests and diseases by strengthening the cell walls.
Iron works as a team with nitrogen to promote the healthy dark green color of the rose bush.
The product that has all the above-mentioned features is the Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Rose Plant Food!
Type of Fertilizers
Organic Fertilizer
We as humans need to change our ways and go for practices that are less harmful to the environment and cause less waste.
Going for everything organic is the new trend.
Gardeners are now more aware of the practices that can help them protect their plants.
It is also assumed that natural and organic things are more beneficial for growth and health.
Plants also work in similar ways.
Many organic fertilizers are so much better at doing their job of keeping the plants healthy and alive.
They do have slower results because they aim to fix the environment to promote growth instead of just going for temporary solutions.
Organic and natural is better because it is so much closer to how nature works.
Nature also aims to heal the environment and then benefit the plant.
Organic fertilizers also do the same and start by fixing the environment the plant is in.
Many organic fertilizers aid growth by penetrating into the soil of the plant and strengthening the roots of the plant.
Organic fertilizers also nourish the plants by recycling dead tissues instead of providing synthetic support.
They break down and penetrate into the roots and strengthen them from within.
Organic ways strengthen the soil and not just the plants.
Once the soil is healthy and full of nutrients from natural tissues, it will make the plant stronger and healthier as well.
With so much research going on in the world regarding climate change and the environment, there is a major shift towards everything organic.
It might be slow, but it is healthier.
Chemicals in fertilizers, no matter how good, can negatively impact plants.
They take the shortcut and try to fix everything quickly. That way, the health is only temporary, and soon, it wears off.
One more danger of using chemical fertilizers is their residue being transferred to waterways.
It might harm animals that drink this water.
It is a long chain that starts from chemicals and ends with harm to the environment.
Using anything that harms the environment is a type of pollution.
On the other hand, organic fertilizers are much safer because they are derived from nature itself.
Winner: Jobe’s Organics Rose Fertilizer Granules – Best for More Flowers
Organic fertilizers are made of biodegradable materials and by-products of organic food.
This type of fertilizer is made of natural ingredients including animal manure, dried blood, alfalfa meal, and cottonseed meal.
Inorganic Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers take time to break down, thereby, a considerable time has to pass before the elements become available to the plant.
To speed up the process, synthetic or inorganic fertilizers are preferred.
Common inorganic fertilizers are ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfate, and ammonium phosphate.
It is easy to differentiate between organic and inorganic fertilizer.
The winner for the best inorganic fertilizer is the BlueGold® Rose Blend (Rose Food).
Pest Control
Pests are one of the most harmful things that can destroy plants. They eat plants up and cause them to wilt and die.
Pests should only be avoided, and if your plant gets exposed to them, it becomes difficult to get rid of them.
Pests can ruin perfectly healthy plants and cause them to die.
Hence, it’s necessary to take precautions and keep your roses safe from pests.
There are many fertilizers that claim to prevent your plants from pests by keeping them safe.
That is why you should do a little research before investing in fertilizer because you need to be sure that the one you are opting for is suitable for your plants and will take care of the problem you are facing.
For pest control, you should go for fertilizers that cure all pest-related diseases.
Be it insects, molds, or fungi, all of these can cause or can be caused by pests.
So you should pick a fertilizer that works for all of them.
Most fertilizers that work well for pests are not organic because they need to be harsher in order to fight pests and get rid of them.
Rose Soil Care
Taking care of the soil is one of the most crucial gardening aspects. A plant cannot have a healthy life if it is placed in soil that is impure or not healthy.
If the soil’s healthy, the plant will have a healthy appearance. For example, if roses have healthy soil, their bloom, colors, and fragrance will be satisfactory.
Most fertilizers that are good for the soil are organic ones because organic fertilizers aim to fix the environment of the plant.
They take the longer route but have better end results.
The best kind of soil is loose and not too hard-pressed.
These fertilizers also break down the soil and give it a loose texture full of nutrients that are good for plant growth and flower blooms.
Organic fertilizers work in such a way that their nutrients do not run out as quickly as with chemical fertilizers.
Organic fertilizers mainly focus on improving the soil so that it can have better blooms in the long run, not just in one season only.
Winner: Dr. Earth Organic Rose & Flower Fertilizer – Best for Soil Texture
Important Information About Best Fertilizers for Roses
The timing to fertilize your roses is very important. Many gardeners follow the basic method of fertilization.
This is normally done on the blooms of the summer season, with the first dose of fertilizer applied by the end of winter.
The fertilizer added at this point is high in nitrogen. This promotes shoot and leaf growth. The next fertilization process is repeated in early spring.
When the buds start to peek out, a fertilizer high in phosphorus is added. This promotes bright flowers.
The next round of applications is done in the 6th week. This depends on the climate and the type of soil you are growing your rose bushes on.
The application of fertilizers is not hard at all since commercial ones have instructions on the process.
Additionally, one must not apply them just because they feel like it. You must first assess the quality and fertility of the soil.
Fertility of the Soil
You must test your soil for its nutrients as well as the pH. Roses are known to grow best in soils with pH ranging between 6.5 and 6.9.
This makes the soil slightly acidic, which is important as fertilizers can add to the acidity.
If this is not considered, the plant will have slow growth or difficulty absorbing important nutrients.
By testing your soil, you get a better know-how about the type of fertilizer you should use.
Fertilizers come in different grades and the packaging can help you identify the right one for your rose bush.
By getting the right fertilizer you can amend your soil.
Nutrients
Nutrients are as important as oxygen when it comes to gardening.
Even if you have soil that is apparently healthy and full of nutrients, you would still need to use fertilizers to fill up on those nutrients because they decrease and ultimately end with time.
No matter how fertile your soil is, it will still need to be fertilized to get rich in nutrients.
When you are gardening, you use both kinds of fertilizers, organic and inorganic.
Inorganic fertilizers have chemicals in them that make the processes easier, but the results might not be as long-term as with organic fertilizers.
You can use a mix of both organic and inorganic fertilizers to get the best results for your plants.
The healthiest rose blooms are of those plants that are nourished and enriched with required nutrition. Their soil has all the minerals that are needed for a healthy growing plant.
Winner: Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Rose And Bloom – Best for Blooms
Growing a rose plant, especially the long-stemmed variety is not as difficult as it might seem.
Yes, it is a little tricky and needs some consideration, but once you know what you want and what kind of products to use, you can enjoy your beautiful rose flowers throughout the season without extensive care.
Keep in mind that roses are delicate as flowers.
If you plan to plant a rose flower, you would have to give it the proper kind of care and nutrients.
You would have to choose the right kind of fertilizer for it that would encourage healthy growth and beautiful blooms.
Research first before you plan to plant your rose garden.
You would have to make a list of all the products you would need based on the kind of results you want.
Your rose plant would have different requirements in different seasons. Even when it is dormant, it would still require some kind of care.
You should do thorough research about the different kinds of fertilizers that are available in the market, what kind of benefits do they have, and which one would be most suitable for you.
Then you would have to consider different aspects of a plant and what you can do to give it its best life.
For example, you would have to use a different fertilizer for the soil, and if you fear pests, then you would have to use a different fertilizer that is a little harsher on the insects.
If your main focus is on the plants, then you would have to pick a different fertilizer that would give your roses their best vibrant and fragrant flowers.
The care of a rose plant comes down to what kind of fertilizer you are going to use and how much you are going to invest your time and energy into taking care of it.
You should also be mindful of the fertilizer type to use at what time.
For example, using a fertilizer too early on might damage the little plant. Similarly, using a fertilizer too later on will also be damaging for the older plant.
It is all a matter of research, time, effort, and some hope and risk-taking.
Deficiency of Nutrients
Normally it is easy to observe nutrient deficiencies by the appearance of the rose flower, specifically the leaves.
If the leaves of the flowers are yellowing, it means they lack nitrogen.
Greyish leaves denote a lack of phosphorus while deficiency of potassium makes the margins of the leaves brown.
Depending on the symptoms observed, you should choose the recommended fertilizer.
However, you must ensure that other reasons for the plant exhibiting this behavior do not exist.
Sometimes, the plants are infested with pests so check for any signs of them.
How to Fertilize Roses
Fertilize in spring using an all-purpose fertilizer 6-inches away from the crown of the rose plant.
Spread the fertilizer in a band of 18-inches and use half a cup to one cup per rose according to the University of Illinois.
Conclusion
Choosing the right fertilizer can make or break your entire journey of growing rose flowers.
Since these flowers are marketable and have a strong history, you will find a lot of fertilizers that will cater to your gardening needs.
However, choosing the right one can be cumbersome.
That’s why you must test your soil and read the label to add the missing pieces to the puzzle.
Our list of the best fertilizers for roses should give you a good idea of what you should choose. Get started today!
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API