mini's in window boxes won't go into bud

20 years ago

I have 4 miniature rose bushes in 3 window boxes (one containes 2 miniature roses, Lavender Jewel & Sautee).

I have only given them miracle grow (regular box) fertizlier twice since planting them (beginning of May & end of June). After blooming, they have had a lot of leaf growth, but no new buds. The windows boxes plants get suns starting around 12 noon till sundown (part of the time it gets filtered sun as the sun passes the trees on the block in front of my building).

Someone told me that I should sprinkle some epson salts around the base of each miniature roses bush, and then water as needed. I usually water about once a week, but with all the rain we have been getting, I am waiting till the top inch of the soil is almost dried out to water again.

Can anybody tell me why my roses haven't gone into bud again since they first bloomed. I get a lot of new growth and some new cames, but no buds.

Here are the names of the rose bushes:

Chasen rainbows, Sautee, Lavender Jewel. and one multi flower bush I bought at local plant place in Manhattan (don't know the name).

Thanks

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Comments (4)

zionadams
20 years ago
You're doing something right, since you've got new growth. The epsom salts/magnesium trick might work but I'm wondering if you're gonna fry their little root systems.

You might want to use a VERY diluted MG Rose Food watering once a week or so. My roses are getting a good drink every night, planted in the ground (red clay). If they dry out they don't flower as well. Don't add fertilizer every single watering, maybe water a total of twice a week and go from there. If you have the $20 and a garden hose it might be worth it to hook up a drip or misting system to the roses that delivers a nice moist atmosphere.

My big roses are picky buggers. I'm new to minis though. Someone else might have a better answer for you! Good luck.
Portiemom
20 years ago
They are not really getting enough sun. After 4 p.m. doesn't count for much. basically they are getting only about 4 hours. This can slow the rebloom
down quite a bit.

Jean L.
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buyorsell888
20 years ago
Check the box of Miracle Gro and if the first number of the formula (Nitrogen) is higher than the second two you are encouraging vegetative growth at the expense of blooms.

You want a fertilizer that has a higher middle number which is for Potassium, for blooms.

Personally, I like a nice granular organic like Rose Tone. I don't have time to mess around with mixing up liquids unless plants need a fast tonic. Granular fertilizers and organic fertilizers in general are much longer acting.
diane_nj 6b/7a
20 years ago
Rebloom cycles for minis can be from 3 - 6 weeks. If you are getting new canes but they are not setting buds, then that may be "blind growth", which can sometimes happen with too much nitrogen, as buyorsell said. If they never set bud, then clip off the tips of the blind canes and let the new growth start again. But, patience might be the thing here.