True. Many people add phosphate, either in the form on bone meal or super phosphate, in the hole, but that's it. Water is what the plant needs to start growing. I recommend waiting until after the first bloom to provide any fertilizer, but some people just wait until they see a few inches of new growth after planting.

Espoma Rose-tone is a fertilizer and the organic materials in the product serve as a soil conditioner. The NPK value is 6-6-4. Alfalfa has some fertilizer properties, especially nitrogen, but it is used by many here for the growth stimulant that it produces, triacontanol.

Always err on the side of caution and avoid attempting to rush young plants that are under the stress of trying to acclimate & settle in. I've frequently used RoseTone(with moderation) at planting time with bareroot plants. It becomes available to the plant not all at once, but over time.

With new ownroots that I plan to keep potted, I generally start off fairly quickly with applications of fish emulsion and/or liquid seaweed every couple of weeks. Dilute solutions (half strength) of regular fertilizer would be okay too.

As for alfalfa meal: I've been advised not to add it to the planting hole where it will come into direct contact with the roots, but to scratch it into the surface around the plant. I can't remember ever using it with newly planted roses, but I do not think it would be harmful. Alfalfa itself is a fertilizer (about 3% nitrogen and 2% potassium). I think that most of us who use RoseTone and alfalfa on our established roses also use other types of fertilizers -- usually liquid ones.

You want them to grow more naturally at first and not try to force the roots. I follow the no feed rules for first year.

Carla

I'm glad I asked! Thanks for the help.

I use Whitney Farms organic right in the hole and haven't had problems.
It won't burn the roots.
Ir you wanted to use chemical fertilizer I'd wait until it was well leafed out then use half strength until after first bloom.

When I use Super Phosphate I put it in a hill to the side of the bottom of the hole, so the roots don't have to go there unless they want to. With bone meal, I tend to mix it up in the soil at the bottom of the hole.

Otherwise, I wait a month or two to let the roots get established before adding Mills Magic, liquid fish guts and alfalfa tea. Organics like MM are still chemicals so I am probably wrong again.

How about diluted Alfalfa Tea? I am brewing some now and was hoping to put a weak solution of the stuff on my newly planted mini's.

Kate (pardon my hijack Susan)

I would want those newly planted minis to settle in to their new homes and start putting out new growth before applying anything. So I wouldn't. Others will (vigorously) disagree.

Thank you Diane. I can wait a bit then. In the interim I'll just keep applying water. And maybe some coffee grounds.

Kate

I used 1/4 cup epsom salt a few days after planting my Hybrid Teas, later I sprayed harpin. After they had been in the ground for 2 1/2 weeks I gave them some alfalfa tea and finally fertilized with Dynamite Select Southern Formula after the first flush of blooms. Mine are doing very well and I'm new to all of this like you. *shrug*

Any organic takes time to release it's nutrients that must be broken down by soil organisms into a form the plant can use. Chemical fertilizers release nutrients quickly in a form which can be taken up immediately. New feeder roots are burned by strong fast release chemical fertilizers.
I often mix manure. Mills Magic, and/or other organics like leaves or compost with the soil in the bottom of the hole with no detrimental effect. If I find a dead bird or rodent in the yard I'll bury it under or next to the rose.
I throw used kitty litter and dog feces found in the yard into the bottom of the hole. Done this for years and have never had a problem.
The NPK of alfalfa meal is 3-3-2 so it won't harm the roots of a newly planted bush. Horse manure is 0.3-0.15-0.5. It's basic benefit is use as a soil amendent to loosen the soil.
Frequent use of these products has enriched my sandy soil tremendously. They will do wonders with clay soil.