Rose Nutrition… M’m! M’m! Good Don Adlong Sherman, TX February 5, 2011

1. Rose Nutrition…M’m! M’m! GoodDon AdlongSherman, TXFebruary 5, 2011

3. pH • pH is defined as minus the decimal logarithm of the hydrogen ion activity in a solution.

4. pH • pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Fertilizer • Primary nutrients that are added to the soil are referred to as fertilizers.

9. Fertilizer • Chemical fertilizer – synthetically produced. • Organic fertilizer – comes from natural sources.

10. Fertilizer • Almost all fertilizers, both chemical and organic, tend to lower the pH or make soil more acidic.

11. Nutrients • A nutrient is anything that nourishes or promotes growth.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Macronutrients • Nitrogen (N) • Potassium (K) • Calcium (Ca) • Magnesium (Mg) • Phosphorus (P) • Sulfur (S)

15. Nitrogen • Stimulates growth of tall, strong canes , good blooms and rich dark foliage.

16. Potassium (Potash) • Promotes root growth and bloom color.

17. Calcium • Holds cell walls together and promotes stability and early growth. Makes a sturdier plant.

18. Magnesium • Promotes chlorophyll formation and interacts to produce greener foliage and healthy, disease-resistant plants.

19. Phosphorus • Stimulates root growth, producing quality plants and big blooms. Also hastens plant maturity adding to winter hardiness.

20. Sulfur • Raw material for amino acids and proteins needed for plant health. Also lowers pH.

21. Micronutrients • Iron • Manganese • Boron • Copper • Zinc • Molybdenum • Chlorine

22. 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.

23. Element Components Of A Typical Plant • Oxygen 45% • Carbon 44% • Hydrogen 6%

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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).

27. *Pelletted Chicken Litter • N:P:K analysis (4-1-1)

28. *Alfalfa Meal • N:P:K analysis – (3-1-2). • Numerous trace elements. • Produces great colors and blooms.

29. *Blood Meal • N:P:K analysis – (12-0-0). • Slow release, organic nitrogen fertilizer. • Excellent additive to a compost pile to aid decomposition.

30. *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.

31. *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.

32. *Fish Emulsion (WS) • N:P:K analysis – (5-1-1). • Numerous trace elements.

33. *Nitron Sea Grow (WS) • N:P:K analysis – (1-1-1). • Contains virtually every trace element necessary for roses.

34. *Magnum Rose Food (WS) • N:P:K analysis – (8-10-8). • Potash, Magnesium, Sulfur, Copper, Iron, Manganese,Molybdenum and Zinc

35. *Liquid Chelated Iron (WS) • Iron 5% and Sulfur 3.4%.

36. *Epsom Salt (WS) • Magnesium, sulfur and oxygen.

37. *Miracle Gro Bloom Booster (WS) • N:P:K analysis (10-52-10). • Boron, Iron, Manganese.

38. *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.

39. Bone Meal • N:P:K analysis (1-20-0). • Calcium.

40. Cottonseed Meal • N:P:K analysis (7-2-2).

41. Fish Meal • N:P:K analysis (10-2-2).

42. Feather Meal • N:P:K analysis (13-0-0).

43. Seaweed Kelp Meal • N:P:K: analysis (1-0-8).

44. 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.

45. Monty’s Joy Juice (WS) • Yellow Label: N:P:K analysis (8-16-8). • Orange Label: N:P:K analysis (2-15-15).

46. Green Light Super Bloom (WS) • N:P:K analysis (12-55-6). • Iron.

47. Bayer All-In-One Rose Care (WS) • N:P:K analysis (9-14-9). • Also contains a systemic insecticide and systemic fungicide.

48. Osmocote • N:P:K analysis (19-7-10). • Time release fertilizer.

49. Three Big Questions • What fertilizers do I need to use? • What dosage do I need? • How Often do I feed?

50. 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.