In order for your roses to grow well, have a healthy leaf color and also bloom profusely, you need to fertilize them regularly. The popular garden plants are not only extremely heavy consumers who need a lot of nutrients - they also need them in the right composition. For example, roses are not necessarily served with a nitrogen-rich fertilization, because this only stimulates the growth, but not the formation of flowers. In the following article you will find out what else you should pay attention to when fertilizing your roses correctly.

Compost is an excellent fertilizer for roses

Only fertilize roses in spring

Roses are usually planted in late autumn between October and early December. At this point they are dormant, which is why fertilization (e.g. with compost) is basically pointless - the roots would not absorb the nutrients anyway. Fertilize for the first time in the spring after planting, ideally between the end of March and the beginning of April. Now the roots absorb the nutrients and pass them on as desired.

Basic fertilization with organic or mineral fertilizer

Roses receive a basic fertilizing twice a year with organic or organo-mineral fertilizers, once at the beginning of the growing season around the beginning of April and a second time right after flowering, but no later than the beginning of July. After the July fertilization, roses should no longer be cared for, otherwise the shoots will not be able to mature in time before winter and thus threaten to freeze to death at low temperatures. If possible, only use organic fertilizers or mixtures of organic and mineral fertilizers. Pure mineral fertilizers (such as blue grain) contain too much nitrogen and are therefore unsuitable for roses. Special rose fertilizer (€12.86), on the other hand, contains exactly the right composition of nutrients.

Organic fertilizer releases nutrients slowly

While mineral fertilizers release their nutrients immediately to the plant (and therefore there is a risk of over-fertilization more quickly), organic fertilizers such as compost or cattle manure (€18.80) only release their nutrients to the plant gradually as the rotting process progresses. Therefore, the risk of over-fertilization is significantly lower, but the nutrients are not immediately available to the rose.

Improve nutrient-poor soil

Some nutrient-poor soil is not inherently poor in nutrients, but simply depleted. You can have a soil analysis determine whether this is also the case with your garden soil. In most cases, however, gardeners in Germany have the opposite problem, because many soils are simply too "fat" because they have been fed too much and uncontrolled with nutrients over the years. However, you can improve a soil that is actually poor in nutrients according to the instructions from the soil sample that has been carried out.

Supplement basic fertilizer with liquid fertilizer

In addition to the basic fertilization, you can provide your roses with liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season, albeit in a low concentration - this is to prevent over-fertilization. This type of supply is particularly relevant for roses cultivated in tubs and when the basic fertilization is coming to an end too quickly. For example, it can be quickly washed out by frequent watering (in high heat) or frequent rain. When it comes to the supply of liquid fertilizers, you should primarily rely on organic means.

Final fertilization in August

In addition to the supply of nutrients, a final fertilization with patent potash is also recommended, which should be carried out in August. This supports the new shoots as they mature and thus ensures that the rose is hardened and made winter-proof. Apply this fertilization by the end of August at the latest, because a later one no longer has any positive effects on the shoot maturity.

Treating chlorosis in roses

If the leaves of the roses turn yellowish, chlorosis, i.e. an iron deficiency, can be behind it. You can recognize this deficiency disease by the pale leaves, on which the leaf veins are also prominent. Iron deficiency occurs primarily when the soil pH is 7.5 and above and is primarily treated by turning the soil more acidic again. This is done, for example, by adding peat or adding an acidic fertilizer. You can bring back the fresh green foliage color for a short time with the help of a special iron fertilizer.

Fertilize potted roses properly

Regular fertilization is particularly important for pot roses, as the plant cannot provide itself with nutrients from the soil. In addition, the supply of nutrients in a spatially limited planter is usually exhausted very quickly. At the beginning of the vegetation period, roses in tubs receive a slow-release fertilizer that continuously supplies the plant with nutrients for several months. In addition, there is supplementary fertilization with a low-dose, liquid fertilizer. In contrast to the planted specimens, potted roses should be fertilized until September, otherwise they can suffer from a lack of nutrients.

tips

Be sure to water your rose bush vigorously after each fertilization. In this way, the nutrients go straight to where they belong: namely to the roots.

Category:

Vegetable garden