How your rose bush makes food Your rose bush takes in carbon dioxide from the air, water and nutrients from the ground and makes sugars and starches (the source of energy to do that is sunlight and the reaction is known as photosynthesis). These building blocks in rose bushes are technically known as carbohydrates (carbon and water). The plant uses these to grow and make beautiful roses. The plant does not need the oxygen left over from the carbon dioxide and so the plant releases oxygen back into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide + water + energy = sugar + oxygen
Fertilize means to make productive A bag of fertilizer has three main numbers. Ex: 12 – 4 8 – 8 ...numbers represents % of NPK elements in the overall bag. The rest of the ingredients in the bag may be Dolomite, Gypsum or Limestone etc. Rose bushes need: 3 Primary Elements (Macronutrients) 3 Secondary Elements (Macronutrients) 6 Trace Elements (very small amounts of element needed…Micronutrients) to grow healthy.
Primary Elements Nitrogen (N) Phosphorous (P) Potassium (K)
Nitrogen (N) Element Contribution Source Nitrogen deficiency Tall, strong canes, good Inorganic Forms: water shows in older foliage, blooms and green leaves. soluble nitrate (nitrate of light green to yellow soda, ammonium color of leaf, yellow Be careful not to apply nitrate). excessive nitrogen to plants veins; because it creates vegetative Nitrogen leaches EASILY Ammoniacal nitrogen- centers in roses … OGR and from soil with too much available after English roses esp. (looks rain; mostly available below conversion in soil; Urea like the Green rose is 5.5 pH and above 7.5 pH . nitrogen slowly available growing in the middle of Lack of oxygen in soil after after conversion in soil. your bloom) . heavy rains can mimic Nitrogen deficiency. 4 forms of nitrogen: Organic Forms: Alfalfa 1) Nitrate (WSN=water Meal, Fish Emulsion, soluble nitrogen) *** Sewage Sludge, 2) Ammoniacal Bloodmeal. 3) Urea 4) Nitrite (WIN=water insoluble nitrogen)
Nitrogen and Iron Deficiencies Clear yellow leaves with Clear yellow leaves and veins that yellow veins as well are still green in color = nitrogen deficiency = iron deficiency (chlorosis)
Phosphorous (P) Element Contribution Source Phosphorus deficiency Stimulates root growth; Inorganic Forms: appears in older foliage big bloom production; Superphosphate (and developing dark red and hastens plant maturity Triple superphosphate) purple colors. It becomes adding to winter less available when pH hardiness. Organic forms: drops below 6 or above 7.5 Bonemeal, Fish Meal, Phosphorus moves Sewage Sludge pH measures slowly through soil. Recommend adding acidity of soil….get superphosphate when a soil test each year planting new roses in a in January if one “egg” size near feeder roots possible!!
Potassium (K) Element Contribution Source Potassium deficiency Vigor in root and cane Inorganic forms: usually is seen in older production; high SulPoMag (SPM) foliage. Leaf margins turgidity in blooms and Nitrate of potash (avoid are brown, weak stems foliage; need this element using muriate of potash) and for starch formation; many blind shoots. works to balance surplus Organic forms: kelp, of other two primary seaweed, composted Potassium leaches elements manures EASILY from soil and becomes unavailable to plant below 6.0
Secondary Elements Calcium ( C ) Magnesium (Mg) Sulfur (S)
Calcium (C) Element Contribution Source Calcium deficiencies Cell wall growth; Inorganic forms: appear at growing tips- reduces dieback; Dolomite, gypsum, rock brown edges appear. improves vigor and phosphate strength of plant; Highest availability in neutralizes harmful Organic forms: Bone pH range of 6.5-7.5 acids; improves soil and meal, manures leaches salts Be aware of fresh manures applied to plants, may burn. Also , bacteria level is high. *** Rosarians MUST get a tetanus shot every ten years.
Magnesium (Mg) Element Contribution Source Magnesium deficiency **Promotes chlorophyll Inorganic forms: will be shown in older production which makes Epsom Salts, SulPoMag, leaves, yellowing around foliage green and Dolomite lime edges of leaf with signs healthy, disease of dying tissue resistant plants; Organic Forms: overlaying the affected increases basal break manures, composts parts; development. * With a high rainfall, magnesium leaches from soil; highest availability in pH range of 6.5-7.5
Sulfur (S) Element Contribution Source Sulfur deficiency Essential to root Inorganic Forms: shows when veins of growth; key element of Epsom salts, gypsum, leaves become pale; several important SulPoMag available in pH range amino acids, lowers of 6.5-7.5 pH Organic Forms: manures, composts
Trace Elements Iron Zinc (Fe) (Zn) Copper Manganese (Mn) (Cu) Boron Molybdenum (Mo) (Bu)
Trace Elements Element Contribution Source Iron (Fe) Essential in production Inorganic forms: Deficiency shows in new of chlorophyll for green Chelated Iron young leaves at top of foliage. Regulates (Sequestrene) bush (chlorosis). respiration of oxygen Readily available at less and sugar burning Organic forms: manures than less than 6.5 pH enzymes and meals that covert to usable form in acidic soil Manganese (Mn) Enzyme activity for Inorganic forms: Deficiency in young photosynthesis, used in Essential minor leaves, brown, black respiration and nitrogen elements, Manganese spots next to veins. metabolism sulfate Available at less than a 6.5 pH Organic forms: Sewage sludge, manures and meals
Trace Elements Element Contribution Source Boron (B) Controls starch formation, Inorganic Forms: stimulates cell division and Available at less than 6.5 Essential minor elements flower formation pH. Deficiency shows in and in terminal bud dying and “20 mule team borax” leaves curling Organic forms: trace amounts in manures, meals Zinc (Zn) Deficiency Stimulates stem growth and Inorganic forms: flower bud formation shows mottled leaves, Essential minor irregular yellow areas elements, Zinc sulfate available at less than 7.0 pH
Trace Elements Element Contribution Source Coppe r (Cu) Stimulates stem development and Inorganic forms: pigment, enzyme activator Deficiency is seen Essential minor when terminal leaves elements, Copper get brown spots. Sulfate Available below 7.0 pH Organic forms: trace amounts in soil, manures and meals Molybdenum (Mo) Needed to make amino acids to Inorganic forms: stimulate plant growth and for Deficiency shows in Essential minor nitrogen fixation pale leaves with rolled elements margins. Available when pH is greater Organic forms: trace than 6.5 amounts in soil, sewage sludge
Leaves to first Element Symptom Nutrient Deficiencies show deficiency Nitrogen Old Pale green leaves and yellow veins Premature leaf fall-off Phosphorus Old Purplish tints on underside of leaf Yellow areas, then browning of leaf Potassium Old edges and tips Magnesium Old Yellow spots with dead centers Sulfur New Similar to nitrogen deficiency Damage and die off of growing Calcium New points; yellowish leaf edges Dead yellowish tissue between leaf Manganese New nerves Copper New Dead leaf tips and withered edges Yellowish areas between nerves, Zinc Old Starting at leaf tip and edges Dead shoot tips, new side shoots Boron New also die Yellow spots between leaf nerves, Molybdenum Old then brownish areas along edges. Inhibited flowering Iron New Yellow leaves, dark veins
Availability of Nutrients Your rosebush will absorb most nutrients within the pH range of 6.0 and 6.5 so it is important that your know the pH of your soil and how to adjust it. Dolomite lime raises the pH. Sulfur lowers the pH. Amounts and frequency of product applied depends on your soil analysis (which should be done every year).
Types of Fertilizers Chemical Fertilizers = synthetically produced. All chemical fertilizers are salts. All salts interfere with the ability of the plant to obtain water. Heavy applications of chemical fertilizers will cause burn on the leaves similar to not watering plant during hot weather. NEVER APPLY FERTILIZER TO DRY SOIL. Roses should always be watered before and after an application of chemical fertilizer. The existing salt level in the soil can also contribute to the burning effects of adding chemical fertilizers. Organic Fertilizers = come from once living organisms, low in nutrient content and are slow release requiring biological action from the soil organisms to release the nutrients. This feeds the soil life keeping the soil healthy (able to hold air, nutrients and water) … ex: manures, fish emulsion, alfalfa meal, cottonseed meal.
Common Natural Fertilizers and their nutritive value *Human, cat and dog feces should not be used due to the danger of disease. From website: http://www.farminfo.org/garden/fertilizer.htm
Recommend
More recommend
