Whether you use it or don't, you will get roses. However, plant scientists seem to agree that (contrary to what you may read in old books) high phosphorus does not promote bloom in roses. With years of overuse, phosphorus buildup in the soil can cause problems. Roses need more nitrogen than anything else.

There is also some talk about actually burning out a rose by pushing it harder and harder to grow and bloom more and faster. Something about weakening it's immune system and shortening it's life span.

Being an exhibitor, I've tried every kind of fertilizer you can think of (including Bloom Booster) since 1990. To start off with you have to have decent soil for any fertilizer to feed the roses. After all those years of feeding my roses all kinds of stuff, I use a good quality 10-10-10 with trace elements. In the early spring I throw 2 shovels full of Black Kow on each bush and then use fish emulsion, 1/2 strength on each bush 2 times, two weeks apart. I stay on my 10-10-10 every month all spring, summer and up to early fall. In early September I do the Black Kow and fish again for my fall roses. My roses are very happy, the judges seem to like my roses and I'm NOT spending money on stuff that doesn't make any difference on the outcome of my roses. It's known as, KISS (keep it simple sweety).

Good advice Ken. I like the acronym.

I like the acronym too, Ken. I have been growing my roses, vegetables and other plants as organic as possible. I was going to use sulphur & dormant oil but changed my mind. I think our earth is poisonous enough without us adding more to it. After all, all this stuff you put in will go into our water system and eventually go back to us. I am stubbornly sticking to organic gardening and like Ken says, start with good soil and keep it simple.

I am using Peter's 20/20/20

Sun_sky_sand-----I get my 10-10-10 from my local feed store. It's called a Rain Bow blend. As a bunch of trace elements. Any blend that has 6% or less chlorine in it works very well. Remember this. Your roses CAN'T read. They just want to be fed. There should be a feed store within 20 miles of your home. Check them out. You might get a pleasant surprise.

What's a feed store? A farmer store? A Tractor Supply store?

So good to read this post. I too have moved to just triple 10 but this year I I mixed triple 10, Black Kow together in wheel barrow and then mixed in some alfalfa pellets and mixed them all together good and shoveled it around my roses. Hoping adding the alfalfa was ok. So do I need to look for a triple 10 that says something particular? I usually get what our Home Depot sells. To be honest I use it on everything because its so easy. I do use Fish Emulsion off and on too. Last summer I used triple 10 once a month too and the roses bloomed great all summer. Plus adequate amt of water. Judy

I'm not ashamed to say I use Miracle Grow Bloom Booster, 15-30-15 at half strength every two weeks works for me. A 1.5 lb box is $6 and it lasts two years.

I add a layer of compost in the spring and fertilize March - September.