Howard Walters’ Rose Feeding Menu

AT PRUNING TIME
Start with fish emulsion with a bit of urea-type 36-6-0 in solution. The fish emulsion may be replaced/augmented by fish, alfalfa or cow tea. This feeds the soil organisms, which then go after the urea.

AS LEAVES SHOW UP
As the soil warms up, feed with organics and 0-10-10. Use 2 heaping cups per bush, ½ cup per miniature. Scratch into the soil and water thoroughly.

2 WEEKS BEFORE PEAK BLOOM
Two weeks before peak bloom, feed with soluble 20-20-20 and fish emulsion (1 tbs per gal) 1 gal per bush.

AFTER PEAK BLOOM
Scratch in Epson salts right after first bloom.

SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR
Periodic feeding with an alfalfa tea/Mills EasyFeed mix. Maybe add an iron chelate.

Organic Fertilizer Recipe:
    50 lbs slow release 10-10-10 with trace elements
    50 lbs alfalfa meal
    50 lbs fish meal
    20 lbs cottonseed meal
    20 lbs blood meal
    25 lbs bone meal
    10 lbs triple superphosphate
Blend these dry ingredients and store, making sure to keep the mixture dry.
Use 2 heaping cups per bush, ½ cup per miniature. Scratch into the soil and water thoroughly.