Rose Nutrition…
M’m! M’m! Good
Don Adlong
Sherman, TX
February 5, 2011
pH
• pH is defined as minus the decimal
logarithm of the hydrogen ion activity in a
solution.
pH
• pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of
a solution.
pH
• A pH of 7 is said to be neutral.
• A pH greater than 7 is said to be basic or
alkaline.
• A pH less than 7 is said to be acidic.
pH
• A pH of 6.2 – 6.8 is ideal for growing roses.
• The pH can be lowered by adding sulfur.
• The pH can be raised by adding limestone.
pH
• A proper pH doesn’t guarantee the presence
of desired nutrients.
• The importance of a proper pH is to provide
maximum availability of nutrients.
Fertilizer
• Primary nutrients that are added to the soil
are referred to as fertilizers.
Fertilizer
• Chemical fertilizer – synthetically
produced.
• Organic fertilizer – comes from natural
sources.
Fertilizer
• Almost all fertilizers, both chemical and
organic, tend to lower the pH or make soil
more acidic.
Nutrients
• A nutrient is anything that nourishes or
promotes growth.
Nutrients
• As much as 95% of a plant is made of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen which are
obtained from the air and water.
• All remaining nutrients are obtained from
the soil.
Nutrients
• The six most commonly used nutrients after
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are called
macronutrients.
• The elements needed by plants in lesser
amounts, and rarely devoid in most soils,
are called micronutrients.
Macronutrients
•
•
•
•
•
•
Nitrogen (N)
Potassium (K)
Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Phosphorus (P)
Sulfur (S)
Nitrogen
• Stimulates growth of tall, strong canes ,
good blooms and rich dark foliage.
Potassium (Potash)
• Promotes root growth and bloom color.
Calcium
• Holds cell walls together and promotes
stability and early growth. Makes a sturdier
plant.
Magnesium
• Promotes chlorophyll formation and
interacts to produce greener foliage and
healthy, disease-resistant plants.
Phosphorus
• Stimulates root growth, producing quality
plants and big blooms. Also hastens plant
maturity adding to winter hardiness.
Sulfur
• Raw material for amino acids and proteins
needed for plant health. Also lowers pH.
Micronutrients
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Iron
Manganese
Boron
Copper
Zinc
Molybdenum
Chlorine
Micronutrients
• Only small amounts of micronutrients are
needed in a rose’s diet, but a lack of one or
more may cause a serious decrease in the
availability of macronutrients.
Element Components Of A
Typical Plant
• Oxygen
• Carbon
• Hydrogen
45%
44%
6%
Element Components Of A
Typical Plant
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Nitrogen
2%
Phosphorus .5%
Potassium
1%
Calcium
.6%
Sulfur
.4%
Magnesium .3%
This represents 99.8% of the components.
Soil Analysis
• The only way to know the makeup of the
soil in your garden is to have a soil analysis
performed by a laboratory.
N:P:K
• Most commercial fertilizers contain the three main
nutrients needed for growth, nitrogen (N),
phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).
• Nitrogen is expressed as the percent of the single
element (N), phosphorus as the percent of
phosphoric acid (P2O5), and potassium as the
percent of potash (K2O).
*Pelletted
Chicken Litter
• N:P:K analysis (4-1-1)
*Alfalfa
Meal
• N:P:K analysis – (3-1-2).
• Numerous trace elements.
• Produces great colors and blooms.
*Blood
Meal
• N:P:K analysis – (12-0-0).
• Slow release, organic nitrogen fertilizer.
• Excellent additive to a compost pile to aid
decomposition.
*Sul-Po-Mag
• 22% sulfur, 22% potash, 11% magnesium.
• Aids in forming plant protein, develop root
systems, increase plant vigor and resistance
to cold weather.
*Nitron
Nature Meal Mix For
Roses
• N:P:K analysis – (4-6-2).
• Blended of natural organic ingredients.
• This was one of Blake Hedrick’s favorites.
*Fish
Emulsion (WS)
• N:P:K analysis – (5-1-1).
• Numerous trace elements.
*Nitron
Sea Grow (WS)
• N:P:K analysis – (1-1-1).
• Contains virtually every trace element
necessary for roses.
*Magnum
Rose Food (WS)
• N:P:K analysis – (8-10-8).
• Potash, Magnesium, Sulfur, Copper, Iron,
Manganese,Molybdenum and Zinc
*Liquid
Chelated Iron (WS)
• Iron 5% and Sulfur 3.4%.
*Epsom
Salt (WS)
• Magnesium, sulfur and oxygen.
*Miracle
Gro Bloom Booster
(WS)
• N:P:K analysis (10-52-10).
• Boron, Iron, Manganese.
*Nitron
Formula A-35 (WS)
• A-35 acts as a catalyst to unlock the soil,
activate and release nutrients in the soil as
well those added with fertilizer.
Bone Meal
• N:P:K analysis (1-20-0).
• Calcium.
Cottonseed Meal
• N:P:K analysis (7-2-2).
Fish Meal
• N:P:K analysis (10-2-2).
Feather Meal
• N:P:K analysis (13-0-0).
Seaweed Kelp Meal
• N:P:K: analysis (1-0-8).
Mills Magic Rose Mix
• N:P:K analysis(6-5-1).
• Combination of alfalfa meal. Fish meal,
steamed bone meal, cottonseed meal, blood
meal, activated sludge and an organic
compost activator.
Monty’s Joy Juice (WS)
• Yellow Label: N:P:K analysis (8-16-8).
• Orange Label: N:P:K analysis (2-15-15).
Green Light Super Bloom (WS)
• N:P:K analysis (12-55-6).
• Iron.
Bayer All-In-One Rose Care
(WS)
• N:P:K analysis (9-14-9).
• Also contains a systemic insecticide and
systemic fungicide.
Osmocote
• N:P:K analysis (19-7-10).
• Time release fertilizer.
Three Big Questions
• What fertilizers do I need to use?
• What dosage do I need?
• How Often do I feed?
What Fertilizer Do I need To
Use?
• Check the pH and add necessary amendments to
bring the pH into the range of 6.2-6.8.
• Get a soil analysis and add any amendments
suggested.
• Use fertilizers that bring the macronutrients into
proper balance.
• Ask rosarins with a similar soil for
recommendations.
What Dosage Do I Use?
How Often Do I Feed?
• Use the manufacturer’s suggested dosage.
• Ask rosarians in your area for their
suggestions.
• Experiment on your own as to what works
best for your roses.
VERY IMPORTANT!
• In three years time, you should have
developed a plan that works for you.
• Once you have a successful feeding
program, DON’T CHANGE IT!