Phosphorus promotes color in blooms. Potassium (potash)promotes feeder root growth over winter. That's what we apply here, so that when spring arrives and normal feeding resumes, they can take it in quickly.

If your soil has a normal P content, adding P would probably have no effect other than wasting money. If P content is excessive, then it would be harmful. Generally, soils that contain some clay and have been fertilized repeatedly will have high P content.

Roses use NPK in the ratio 3-1-2. If a shortage of nitrogen prevents growth, the plant has no use for other nutrients. You can't really make a rose do one thing rather than another by selective fertilizing.

Roseman - what do you specically use as fertilizer in the fall

Michaelg - do you fertilize at all during the fall?

I'm trying to determine if I should put them to bed for the winter with some nutrients. Thanks.

I fertilize moderately with NPK in September, 8 weeks before I expect roses to stop growing. People have different views about this, and there's no research to go by. I aim to keep my plants blooming until a hard freeze stops them, but I don't push them to maximum growth. You'd rather not have basals emerging in October. but that can happen even if you don't fertilize

We do know that any root growth during a zone 6 winter will be negligible.

michaelg - In the spring I use Dr. Earth Rose and Flower Fertilizer. Then use a fish/seaweed blend every 4-6 weeks or so.

Based on your recommendation, I am thinking that going with a slow release fertilizer like Dr. Earth would be better. My last application of fish/seaweed was first week of August. But then again, I guess I could do both since the fish/seaweed would give them a burst of energy now and the slow release would help into Fall.

Although it gets cold here and we can get snow in October, we normally don't have it reaaly cold until late November and the snow doesn't stick until the first week in December.

Thoughts?

If you've applied organic fertilizers monthly at labeled doses, the soil probably has enough nutrients to keep the roses well nourished through October. However, another dose of fish & seaweed this week would be OK.

In response to gaw1, if you have fertilized every month over the blooming season, there are enough nutrients to carry you through the winter. Remember, your roses likely will go dormant, a state of almost suspended animation, it's like hibernation. They live off their already ingested nutrients. Give them some K (potassium) to promote the feeder roots, and they should be fine. Oh, and winter protect, if necessary.

Thanks all.

What do you guys use for fall fertilizer? Would something with a 0-2-4 mixture be ideal? I'm not sure what fertilizers or organic materials would be most ideal. I do have straight potassium supplements that I could use though I suppose.