Nitrogen (N) Stimulates growth, strong canes, blooms, dark foliage.
Potassium (K) Promotes root growth, vigor, and bloom color.
Calcium (Ca) Holds cell walls together and promotes stability and early growth.
Magnesium (Mg) Provides chlorophyll, the green in all plants.
Phosphorus (P) Stimulates root growth, big blooms, winter hardiness.
Sulfur (S) Essential organic compounds of proteins and vitamins.
Iron: (Fe) Promotes dark green leaves and protects from heat damage.
Chemical Fertilizers
Commercial fertilizers are listed by their percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Most
commercial fertilizers contain the three main nutrient N:P:K on the label, such as 10-20-10.
Nitrogen is 10 percent, phosphorus is 20 percent and potassium is 10 percent. Roses should
always be heavily watered before and after an application of chemical fertilizers. Never apply
fertilizer to dry soil.
Slow Release Fertilizers
There are three types of slow release fertilizers. The first are materials that dissolve very slowly,
such as sulfur. The second type of slow release fertilizer is one that requires action by soil
microorganisms to release the fertilizer in usable form. The third type is once or twice a year
fertilizers. Slow release fertilizers have fertilizer pellets coated with varying thicknesses of sulfur
or resins. Slow release fertilizers time to release can range from immediate to 9 months depending
on the coating. They also reduce the chances of fertilizer burn.
Water Soluble Fertilizers
As indicated by the name, these are fertilizers in a form that will dissolve in solution. Mixed with
water, the solution can be sprayed on the foliage (foliar feeding) or used as a soil drench. The
usual recommendation for roses is 20-20-20. A water soluble fertilizer can be used as an addition
to a complete fertilizing program. It makes a good quick tonic for a quick pick-me-up for the
plants and as a supplemental feeding during a rainy spell. Water-soluble fertilizers may be more
suitable for conatiner grown plants than a granular fertilizer. As always, do not over fertilize -
follow the directions on the label.
Organic Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers are those which come from once-living organisms. They can range from animal
waste (manure) to ground up organisms (fish emulsion) to former plant materials (compost).
All organic fertilizers have several characteristics in common:
1. They tend to be very low in nutrient content. The nutrients tend to be in slow release form,
requiring biological action from the soil to release the nutrients.
2. They tend not to release nutrients unless the soil is warm because the required biological action
requires the warmth. All organic fertilizers tend to have high levels of carbon to nitrogen, which
leads to more break down time needed.
3. Organic fertilizers (or Mulches) slowly add to the level of humus in the soil.
Commonly used Organic Materials:
Cottonseed Meal - used to lower pH acidic soil.
Blood Meal - dried, powdered blood, supplies nitrogen and iron.
Alfalfa Meal - best organic soil additive, contains hormones that stimulate growth.
Fish Emulsion - well rounded fertilizer, good source of nitrogen.
Manure - best used as soil conditioners.
Sewer Sludge - granular from, long lasting and non-burning fertilzer.
A major difference between chemical fertilizers and organic fertilizers is the long-term effect on the
condition of the soil. Constant use of chemical fertilizers without adding organic material to the
soil either as fertilizer or as mulch will deteriorate the soil structure and overall health of the soil.
Add top mulch to avoid over using the chemical fertilizers.
This may help you decide what your roses need:
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