Fertilizing should be done three times a year: 1. first flush in spring, 2.
FOR ESTABLISHED ROSES:
Throughout the season: Continue to feed every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season depending on the type of fertilizer used. Late summer to early fall: Apply a slow-release fertilizer with low nitrogen content such as bone meal to promote root growth and next year's blooms.
The Sin: Overfertilizing. The common misconception is that more fertilizer=more blooms, but roses only need so much fertilizer, and adding too much synthetic fertilizer can kill natural soil bacteria and/or lead to salt burn, which can both harm your plant.
Seasol plus Nutrients Roses & Flowers can be applied any time during the growing season. Generally, apply it every 6 to 8 weeks or as needed.
Fertilize your roses a minimum of twice a year: once in spring, and once again in mid to late summer. In between, look to feed roses every month to ensure healthy growth.
What is the Best Fertiliser For Roses? Roses thrive off a constant supply of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. A high-quality organic fish fertiliser (such as Charlie Carp) in either a liquid or pellet form is perfect to provide these nutrients to the plant.
A regular, generous application of well rotted animal manure or compost and blood and bone are perfect for roses. Avoid manure from animals that eat meat and use chicken manure sparingly - as these are too acidic for roses.
Dynamic Lifter for Roses has an ideal balanced formula for promoting growth as well as flowering. It is relatively high in potassium which also improves disease resistance.
Wettasoil your gardens, lawns and pot plants, then nurse your sick plants back to health with Seasol. This plant tonic, encourages plants to grow new roots and as autumn approaches you will be amazed how quickly your sick plants come back to life. You can't overdose on Seasol.
Do not apply Seasol and PowerFeed during the heat of the day. As PowerFeed is a fertiliser it may burn the foliage of the plant or lawn. If fungal problems are an issue, it is best to apply Seasol and PowerFeed in the morning to avoid moisture residue on the foliage overnight.
They are a fast-acting source for magnesium and sulfur. For soils on the alkaline side, the added sulfur is a benefit. Epsom salts, however, do not contain any of the three major components of most fertilizers—nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium—and therefore would not be a complete fertilizer for roses.
There are special rose plant foods that are tailored to the higher phosphorus needs of roses, with an N-P-K ratio such as 18-24-16. But, you don't necessarily need to get a special fertilizer for your roses. You can also use a general complete fertilizer with a high phosphorus ratio, such as 5-10-5, 4-8-4, or 4-12-4.
Feeding Roses
We recommend a good feed of a nitrogen high feed like “Top Rose Gold” after the late-winter prune in February, then feeding every two weeks throughout the flowering period with a high potash feed like “Tomorite” or "Uncle Tom's Rose Tonic".
Flower power
In early spring, give your roses a good dose of Scotts Osmocote Rose, Gardenia & Azalea Controlled Release Fertiliser to promote vigorous, healthy growth and masses of stunning flowers. Give repeat flowering roses another boost with Scotts Osmocote in late summer to promote wonderful autumn displays.
What is the best time of the day to apply Seasol and PowerFeed? First thing in the morning or late in the evening. Do not apply Seasol and PowerFeed during the heat of the day. As PowerFeed is a fertiliser it may burn the foliage of the plant or lawn.
Seasol and PowerFeed are liquids, they are readily absorbed into the soil and the plant foliage. Therefore you do not need to water them in. If you are treating your soil with Seasol Super Soil Wetter and Conditioner, please ensure that you do wash it off the foliage, to prevent burning.
Seasol has almost no NPK
The role a fertilizer truly plays is to supplement the plant with the nutrients – mainly NPK – that it is not getting from the soil. Seasol has only tiny, almost unnoticeable amounts of the most important nutrients your lawns and plants need to thrive.
Apply Seasol regularly for several months before any fertilising is done. Once the tree is starting to respond to the Seasol treatment, apply an organic fertiliser such as Dynamic Lifter, blood and bone or slow-release tree tablets. Note: Sadly, some trees will be damaged beyond repair.
For ongoing rose care, mix one tablespoon of Epsom salts per gallon of water and apply as a foliar spray. You may need several gallons of water for larger rose bushes and climbers. A word of caution: Epsom salts sprayed on leaves can cause leaf scorch. Do not over apply and do not spray on hot, sunny days.
The best time to prune is in June or July. But if you live in a really cold area of Australia, then wait until early August so that the frosts don't knock back the new shoots. Look out for branches that are totally dead - any that have dieback - need to be totally removed, right down to the stump level.
A good base of lots of cow manure when you plant your rose bush is extremely important. Composted cow manure delivers a large variety of nutrients to your rose bushes over several years. It is well worth it to spend a little more at the beginning to give your plants the nutrients they need for years to come.
Dynamic Lifter is a more balanced fertiliser when compared to Blood & Bone. While Dynamic Lifter has a poultry manure base and other added ingredients, Blood & Bone is 65% meat meal and contains cow manure. Essentially this means that the nutrient ratios of each product are different.
Bone meal can bolster healthy root development in plants. It benefits plants' root growth, promotes cell division, and prevents stunted growth. The addition of bonemeal can revive plant growth and encourage flowering. Great for flowering plants, bulbs, and rose bushes.