I bought all organic too. And alfalfa hay.

Thanks

Jin

You'll probably need to fertilize, so much of Florida's so-called soil being sand, but others will have to advise you on a fertilizing regimen. I just wanted to add a reminder to mulch, mulch, mulch.

@ Melissa

Yes, very true . I bought more mulch altho I have not mulch certain areas until all is complete. I think adding the weed barrier cloth might help under the mulch Bec it rains here almost daily. Seems the weeds are growing real fast and I know hurricanes seasons is in June till Nov which means more rain.

Jin

I just saw Ingrid message on her thread. Forget about the cloth..I will keep adding more mulch.

Jin

Have they bloomed yet? If not, then hold back on the fertilizer until after they bloom. First-year plants need to grow roots, and water is the best thing for them now. If they have bloomed, then you can start fertilizing. Bone meal is very slow to break down, it can take years, and works better when placed in the planting hole (but don't sweat it that you didn't do this). Blood meal is very high nitrogen, be careful when applying.

You can start with the fish emulsion, but you may need something more. One of the dry organic fertilizers, Espona Rose-tone or Flower-tone or Plant-tone should be good for your soil, it will help to build up the organic matter. There may also be some Florida-based organic fertilizers that are similar, do a little research. You don't need "rose specific" fertilizers. Don't rush to start with a lot of fertilizers. Less is better now, let them grow roots.

For some obscure reason there seems to be a tendency for rose growers to over fertilize!! While modern hybrid roses are heavy feeders, you don't need to go nuts with various potions and combinations. A single, all-purpose fertilize will more than adequately do the job. Rose Tone is perfectly acceptable all on its own - no need for blood or bone meal or fish emulsion. And because it is a granular organic, it is slow release, so virtually no concern about burning. It also contains alfalfa meal so no need to add that either. And I would apply now, as it will not be immediately available to the plants but takes time to be released into a plant accessible form by the soil biology.

Plant Tone will work perfectly well also and contains alfalfa meal as well. Alfalfa meal is strongly recommended for roses as it contains a natural plant growth hormone that encourages basal breaks.

The alfalfa hay you bought could be a two-fer -- mulch and then fertilizer, as it breaks down into the soil.

I use rose tone as well. Of course, my climate doesn't allow for year long growth, I have a pretty simple fertilizing program. Rose tone and a top dressing of vegetable based compost in the spring. Another feeding after the main flush to help summer growth along. If something looks like it needs some help mid season, it might get something extra, but I don't have tons of spare time for a complicated feeding regime. No feedings after August to try to harden off growth before the frosts come.

Diane, Gardengal , Genevre , Melissa and Karen :- I try to answer during my lunch but my phone battery went to 3% due to apps running from messages. My brother send me like 8 videos . Just simply drain my battery. Anyways, I am home now :)

Thank you all for explaining. Yes, you guys are right about ferterlizer. I got scared how badly it burns the Roses in Feb . I am not even using round- up and thing . I just want a good start for my roses

Roses, got nothing but tons of water by natural rain if not I do water them daily. They are getting big and strong

Some are vigorous and some are so tiny.

Well, I have not open any of meal,bone and fish. Perhaps, if I can return it then I can exchange it for rosetone that would be awesome :)

Thank you so, so much for educating me on roses.

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much again. I was surprised and very happy that someone responded and 4 made my day at work, really

Jin

Hi You! I didn’t respond because I’m so unsure about your sandy soil and rain. I have such different conditions that I figured giving advice probably wouldn’t help you much. I’m not super good about fertilizing. I try to use compost as much as possible,(in fact I sometimes use it too soon, and have tomatoes, strawberries, and other veggies sprout up). I throw them something called Gro-Power for Roses, when I remember to. I’ve mentioned it before, but I think it’s a west coast product. My clay soil is pretty rich, so I get away with not doing much fertilizing:) Lisa

I have read from various gardening experts that you should get a soil test before fertilizing. Otherwise it is just trial and error. Home kits work too. Also buy a soil pH probe since different nutrients are bound in the soil at different pH.

I don't fertilize either, but I don't live in Florida and my soil is clay, nutritious once it's well amended with organic matter. Sand, if that's what your soil mostly is, is a different story: it needs a steady feed or nutrients, either lots of composted material, or fertilizer, or probably both. I like the idea of soil testing. Also, consulting with your country extension? local nurseries, if there are any that are knowledgeable about organic gardening?

I've dealt with old weed cloth barrier under mulch, and believe me, you don't want to go there. I have lots of annual weeds, that is, little annual plants that bloom and supply nectar to pollinators; and these I mostly leave alone. Then there are ugly weeds, and perennial pests, which I spend time pulling. If soil is left undisturbed, not repeatedly dug after initial digging and amending, weeds diminish; and if there are large shrubs and trees growing, they too discourage weed growth. You'll always need to pull some weeds, but as time passes and with proper management (and a philosophical attitude) they become less of a concern.

I wish Sherry would pipe up, being in Florida. I'm sure a local would help.

Yeah I wish that too, Shiela, but I have read on her blog .

Melissa, I bought so much compost that I have at least 4 feet deep mix real well. And I top of with manure like almost 8 inches. I used my own compost but it was gone real quick . Every year I will layer compost just that I want to make sure I am not missing anything else. Lots of water and it drains real well. That was my main problem. A HUGE problem .

But I just want to make sure roses get enough nutrients . Yes, having Sandy soil is my biggest issues but pls don't laugh if you see Daikon radish growing all over. It is for my soil nutrients..lol.

I am using alfalfa hay as my green manure. Since, I should have grown cover crops but I did it backwards. Mistakes that I substitute..I am such a cheater. Lol. I left it deep in ground so it will not sprout.

I found 1 receipt for meal and bone but not for fish.. somewhere :(

I still don't see any earthworms yet. Maybe I should but a box and see if they stay or buried deep down. That will be my sign that my soil is good and fertile . I am still waiting patiently and time will tell. Giving it a year after that I am cheating again..buy some earthworms :)

I am so grateful that for many years my roses did not grow but now I am jumping with joy and burying my nose deep into the petals to smell the scent. I am very happy with my Antique roses Bec none has black spots . The Da also has no black spot to my surprise with so much rain we got this month .

I am just such a happy camper finally I am growing roses. That is my biggest rewards.

Jin

Jin, that is great you read Sherry's blog because Florida is special.

Jin, I think that dilute fish fertilizer is good. for potted roses so you could keep it for that if you have any.

Shiela it is too special. I did some a little mulch in soil like in her blog and also Bec Me Manners also did that. It is not much I can do but add on every year of manure.

Vap, yes, I am going to do pots when I ran out of space...lol. I think pots looks cute as decoration in backyards. This will be special bec am going to ask kids to colour, draw whatever to bring individuals uniqueness too it. But it is an idea :)

Jin

Sounds like you're on top of the situation, Jin! Enjoy your roses!

Thank you Jeri, I wish I can get horse manure. I thought it has to be compost like at least aged. I am looking around for anyone who owns a horse .

Thank you Melissa. I am looking forward to your blooms. I hope that I better have it under control. So far so good for now and I am waiting for terrible twos and tantrums to begin... lol.

Melissa, I am sure yours will have a tremendous show, real soon. Can't wait for Shiela's also.

Jeri, looking to see more roses from you with fairy tale stories. I will be going nuts :)

Jin

You're funny, Jin. "I am waiting for the terrible twos!"

Vap me too..so far no problems..no bugs, no slugs, no worms, a little yellows, no BS, no mildew..thank goodness.

I am waiting for terrible twos too...

Jin