What's better than Miracle-Gro for roses?

Specialty organic fertilizers are more beneficial than all-purpose products;. At the same time, they may not provide a quick fix, they will improve long-term health for your roses. Roses-Tone, for example, feeds your rose and works to improve soil structure. Slow-release formulas prevent an accumulation of salts that can kill your rose's roots. Years ago, I switched to specialty organic fertilizers, and my roses always look better with fewer disease issues.

Custom NPK blends are tailored to meet the specific needs of your rose varieties instead of being generalized like "The needs of all roses are the same". For example, hybrid teas require more phosphorus to produce blooms, and climbers exhibit better growth with a balanced formulation. Granular organic blends release nutrients differently from synthetics, which causes the feast-or-famine cycle.

Slow-release granules, such as Osmocote, deliver reliable nutrition for 3 months. They take the place of constant reapplications. When watered, the coatings activate and meter nutrients at a slow pace. Therefore, during heat waves, there is no potential for root burn, unlike with the use of water-soluble synthetics. My container roses use a consistent method.

Regional adaptation is important. Hot climates require low-salt formulas to prevent the concentration of evaporation. Moist areas will perform better in areas with fungal resistance. I mix Rose-Tone with greensand when working with sandy soils for additional potassium. Always test your soil before using alternatives.

Transition slowly from synthetic fertilizer use to organic fertilizers. Start at a 50% ratio of organic to Miracle-Gro. Increase the rate of organic fertilizer over the next 3 months. This allows soil biology time to ramp up, preventing nutrient gaps while it occurs. Check new growth every week and measure improvement in color and vigor.

Read the full article: When to Fertilize Roses: Complete Guide