Soil without fertilizer for potted rose

8 years ago

So I’m trying to follow the instructions on the roses that just arrived. They recommended not using any soil with granulated fertilizer for the first year, which sounded simple. So I went to two different nurseries in my area to buy a bag of soil and couldn’t find anything that wasn’t labeled “fertilizer.” Finally at the 3rd nursery I asked about it and the guy looked at me like I’d lost my mind. He was like, “you aren’t going to use any fertilizer?” And I said i had the liquid fertilizer that was recommended, as well as organic material to mix into the soil. He continued to question why, and asked where I got them, and was overall very skeptical of my inquiry. Did I misunderstand the instructions? This is my first time really paying attention to these things, I’ve always just bought a bag of potting soil, mixed it with peat moss or a bag of compost type material, and used commercial fertilizers. Help?

Featured Answer

bayarea_girl_z10a_ca

8 years ago

I think the instruction is for new rose growers because of their inexperienced a little bit of fertilizer from their point of view can be too much for the young roots. Most potting soils have slow released fertilizer that help feed the plant for about 6 months and it’s generally ok for potting roses. I use miracle grow moisture control potting mix for bare root and small own root roses without any problem. Just remember because the potting soil already has the slow release fertilizer in it, don’t add any more granulated fertilizer. Helen

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Comments (9)

Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
8 years ago
It's a recent development. Ecoscraps doesn't have fertilizer at Lowe's. I also got another one with out it, but I'll have to check what that is tomorrow. This is one of the many reasons I generally buy my own ingredients and make my own.
Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
8 years ago
I use Gardner and Bloome flower and rose planting mix. I have used this or Dr. Earth potting mix with tiny bands and it works fine. Very easy. All organic, and no chemical fertilizers in there.
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jim1961 Central Pennsylvania Zone 6a
8 years ago
I just use miracle grow moisture control potting mix then 1.5 months after planting I start using a liquid fertilizer....Works fine for me here... Of course I do not grow alot of roses in pots just the occasional rose bush when needed...
Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
8 years ago
I got a bag at home depot called patio mix and it does not have any fertilizer in it.
EvaElizabeth
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you!

After checking online based on these suggestions I finally found Kellogg Patio Plus available locally. I’ll get that in the morning.

I was surprised that even my bag of peat moss has fertilizer in it so I had to get a different bag of that, which I found much more easily.

Should I amend it any further or use the Patio Plus as is?

If I were to make a mix, where would be a good place to start?
Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
8 years ago
EvaElizabeth, the Kellog brand is What I use. I have really tried to adhere to putting brand new roses into the Kellogg's and then adding liquid fertilizer and so far so good. By the way the liquid I start with is usually just fish emultion for a few weeks until they get settled in and then I may go to some miracle grow but I start very slowly.

But I do add bone meal to the potting mix, maybe some coffee or tea grounds and a banana peel.
HU-693093357
last year
You probably ordered an Own Root Rose. Mine come from Heirloom Roses. I bought their soil and added Fertilome. It's low in any added fertilizer. I mixed it in to extend . It worked fine. This was last year. I'm buying more roses. Mine are big containers on wheels. I'm on a cliff in the desert SW. I'm on line looking at ordering on line. There are several organic brands. Dr. Earth. Etc.
Helen B. Denver Area 6a
last year
I just bought a bag of black cow soil ladt night, which I quite like for all of my container plants. I often mix in a conditioner like worm castings or used tea leaves. I do love Fertilome, just haven’t seen it in ”my” stores for a while.