..I just caught your post so thought to reply right away.. A problem here is that without knowing the name or type of rose, it's not advisable to give blanket recommendations.. one size doesn't fit all with roses... however, it won't do any harm either way if you reduce your rose by 1/3rd only...approximately... and don't worry too much where you cut the stems off, but if you want to be a bit fussy, prune to an outward facing bud, just above it.
Try and leave on the twiggy bits in the middle, the rose needs these to support itself when it shoots out.. but any brown dead bits should be cut out...
Looking forward to a photo anytime... the new Austins will be out any day, I'm so looking forward to those...!
Hi Suzie.... sorry I've only just seen your post about the rose food, I must have missed it earlier.. I understood, although I might have misunderstood, that your rose is planted in a container?.... if so, it will be in I presume potting compost? although reading back I think you added some top soil..
The problem with using organic fertilizer in containers is that there are insufficient micro organisms available to break down organic fertilizers to be of use to the rose.. it may get some benefit but it's a waste of resources really to use organic fertz.. in pots especially as it's usually more expensive... You should save that for your in the ground plants, and use inorganic fertz.. for pots, as it does not rely on microbes to break it down... but is washed through with water..
Thanks so much for all your help Marlorena! It is great to start to get an understanding of these things!
Yes it is in a pot with compost and top soil, so I will get some Miracle Grow as you have suggested! For the big rose bush that is in the ground (I noticed it has some green leaves on it today!!) do you have a brand you recommend for organic fertilizer?
I really hope as you've said that I will get some flowers on my roses soon!!
I use the shaker version Suzie... I also use Toprose for pots if I have it... The organic fertz I use is usually one made by Vitax… Vitax Organic Rose Food... but let me say that if you happen to see David Austin rose fertilizer - it's very expensive compared to others - but it really does the business, it's part-organic, but for in the ground roses it's second to none in my opinion... unfortunately I rarely see it in my garden centre these days..
Westland is another good make I'm fond of..
This link to Amazon shows a whole range, and I've used most of these with success except the liquid feeds, I don't bother with those.. however, don't buy from Amazon, they're always cheaper somewhere else..
Interested recommendation of DA fertiliser. I am lucky enough to live pretty near to their nursery and go there a few times each year. They have a wonderful cafe with delicious food and amazing cakes! The gardens are so beautiful too and I find the best way to buy a rose is to see in in situ and smell it etc. We always buy fungi from there but haven’t bothered with the expensive food but now I will get some. Your roses are so perfect I would take your advice any day! Not sure where you live but a trip to the DA nursery is always delightful
@debs64 ...thank you Debs, so nice of you to say that.. I'd love to visit DA in Albrighton, but I'm in East Anglia and across country I would have to stay overnight... I really can't manage that at the moment, with domestic commitments and suchlike... which is a pity as I too have heard about their cafe and the cakes..
I would only buy a ton of roses too.. how can one resist?..
I don’t even try, just clear more space in the bed for them and luckily my daughter has a new garden to fill up. We both love a day out there. Put it on your wish list, maybe a trip to Malvern spring show and David Austin too? Someone who loves roses as much as you do would have a wonderful time.
Posts
..I just caught your post so thought to reply right away..
A problem here is that without knowing the name or type of rose, it's not advisable to give blanket recommendations.. one size doesn't fit all with roses... however, it won't do any harm either way if you reduce your rose by 1/3rd only...approximately... and don't worry too much where you cut the stems off, but if you want to be a bit fussy, prune to an outward facing bud, just above it.
Try and leave on the twiggy bits in the middle, the rose needs these to support itself when it shoots out.. but any brown dead bits should be cut out...
Looking forward to a photo anytime... the new Austins will be out any day, I'm so looking forward to those...!
Hi Suzie.... sorry I've only just seen your post about the rose food, I must have missed it earlier..
I understood, although I might have misunderstood, that your rose is planted in a container?.... if so, it will be in I presume potting compost? although reading back I think you added some top soil..
The problem with using organic fertilizer in containers is that there are insufficient micro organisms available to break down organic fertilizers to be of use to the rose.. it may get some benefit but it's a waste of resources really to use organic fertz.. in pots especially as it's usually more expensive... You should save that for your in the ground plants, and use inorganic fertz.. for pots, as it does not rely on microbes to break it down... but is washed through with water..
Yes it is in a pot with compost and top soil, so I will get some Miracle Grow as you have suggested! For the big rose bush that is in the ground (I noticed it has some green leaves on it today!!) do you have a brand you recommend for organic fertilizer?
I really hope as you've said that I will get some flowers on my roses soon!!
I use the shaker version Suzie... I also use Toprose for pots if I have it...
The organic fertz I use is usually one made by Vitax… Vitax Organic Rose Food...
but let me say that if you happen to see David Austin rose fertilizer - it's very expensive compared to others - but it really does the business, it's part-organic, but for in the ground roses it's second to none in my opinion... unfortunately I rarely see it in my garden centre these days..
Westland is another good make I'm fond of..
This link to Amazon shows a whole range, and I've used most of these with success except the liquid feeds, I don't bother with those.. however, don't buy from Amazon, they're always cheaper somewhere else..
https://tinyurl.com/yxam58me [Amazon UK]
...don't expect flowers on your rose until mid May at the earliest...
We always buy fungi from there but haven’t bothered with the expensive food but now I will get some. Your roses are so perfect I would take your advice any day!
Not sure where you live but a trip to the DA nursery is always delightful
I'd love to visit DA in Albrighton, but I'm in East Anglia and across country I would have to stay overnight... I really can't manage that at the moment, with domestic commitments and suchlike... which is a pity as I too have heard about their cafe and the cakes..
I would only buy a ton of roses too.. how can one resist?..