8 Best Rose Fertilizer Reviews And How to Apply Them

Rose plants love to snack on a good nutrient supply while going through their growth season. This is the utmost reason why you need to add the best rose fertilizer to your soil for vibrant, full flowers. Your foliage will grow lusher and, your blooms will be abundant.

So which fertilizer exactly is suitable for your rose plants? In this article, we will discuss not only that but the proper application procedure and a lot more. You will have to keep reading to find out. But first, let us look at some of the best rose fertilizer products in the market!

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OUR FAVORITES

The 8 Best Rose Fertilizer Products

With tons of rose fertilizers in the market, you are bound to get confused. There are different kinds of these fertilizer formulas too. Some are granular, while others are liquids.

We have created a list to help you pick out the best rose fertilizer with proven results. These are tried and tested products, and we can certainly vouch for their results.

1. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Rose Plant Food – Top Pick 

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The best part is that this fertilizer is the perfect plant food for all kinds of roses. You will obtain optimal results if you apply this rose fertilizer every week or two during the growing season.

Item Weight: 1.5 pounds

Product Size: 3.75 x 3.75 x 5.75 inches

Fertilizer Type: Water-soluble granules

Application: Water soil with solution

For outdoor plants, an ideal solution will be 1 tablespoon of the Miracle-Gro Rose Plant Food formula in a gallon of water, whereas, for indoor plants, you can reduce the quantity to half a teaspoon of fertilizer mix. This fast-release formula is fed to your plants while watering, and it produces quick results.

Pros

• Produces beautiful roses.
• Works on all types of rose plants.
• Easy application.
• Value for money.

2. BioAdvanced All in One Rose and Flower Care Granules – Best 3-in-1 Formula

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The fertilizer caters to a wide variety of plants, including roses, shrubs, hibiscus, iris plants, and many others. The granules enable the growth of lush green foliage and beautiful, vibrant blooms.

Item Weight: 4.3 pounds

Product Size: 7.3 x 3.7 x 11.3 inches

Fertilizer Type: Granules

Application: Add as dry additive

The insecticide present in the granules actively destroys whitefish, adenoids, aphids, and other pests. Furthermore, the fungicide prevents the attack of Southern blight, black spot, rust, powdery mildew, and other fungal infections. The granular product is easy to apply and can simply be added to the soil as a dry additive.

This slow-release formula will not wash away with rain or water and can stay in the soil for as long as 6 weeks. You will get great results if you remove the mulch and rake the soil well after adding the granules.

Pros

• One bottle can provide 32 treatments.
• Application results in beautiful roses.
• Easy to apply.
• Value for money.
• Good insecticide and fungicide.

3. Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Rose and Bloom Plant Food – Best Slow-Release Formula

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This formula can be applied to soil present in your garden or even the soil in your potted containers. Your roses will be larger, abundant, and more vibrant once you start applying this fertilizer.

Item Weight: 1.12 pounds

Product Size: 3 x 3.5 x 6.5 inches

Fertilizer Type: Granular

Application: Add as dry additive

The ingredients of this formula are derived from bone meal, kelp, earthworms, and even feather meals. This perfect combination is what helps supply micronutrients to your rose plants slowly and steadily.

You can easily sprinkle this formula onto soil using the applicator bottle that is similar to that of a talcum powder. You also only need to add it dry and avoid application on wet soil. Each product bottle can easily feed 6 rose plants or up to 33 square feet of soil.

Pros

• Easy application.
• Provides slow and steady nutrition.
• Facilitates abundant and vibrant growth.

4. Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Rose & Bloom Plant Food – Best Color Enhancer

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If these microbes thrive well, they are able to break down compounds present in fertilizer into simpler nutrients that plants can readily absorb. This, in turn, will result in a robust root system and efficient absorption of water.

Item Weight: 8.33 pounds

Product Size: 4.25 x 13.5 x 7 inches

Fertilizer Type: Granular

Application: Add as dry additive

The micronutrients present in this fertilizer will help your flowers grow stronger and more abundantly. These will show off the utmost beautiful colors, and you will actually notice a huge difference.

Since this formula is a continuous and slow-release fertilizer, you only need to apply it once every 3 months. The granules need to be added as a dry additive to the soil and raked and watered afterward.

Recommended fertilizer dosage is half a cup of fertilizer for every 10 square feet soil area. The applicator provided makes sprinkling the product easier. After that, you simply need to rake and press it down into 3 inches of soil.

Pros

• Quick results.
• Saves dying rose plants.
• Easy-to-use.

5. BioAdvanced 2-in-1 Systemic Rose & Flower Care Fertilizer – Top 2-in-1 Plant Food

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The protection shield lasts for nearly 8 weeks, after which reapplication may become necessary.

Item Weight: 5 pounds

Product Size: 7.3 x 3.6 x 11.3 inches

Fertilizer Type: Granular

Application: Add as dry additive

Nutrients in this BioAdvanced fertilizer help boost rose production while making them even more vibrant and colorful. One bottle of this formula can treat 40 rose plants all at once. Rain is unable to wash away the formula, which is why it lasts longer.

The application is also simple. Sprinkle the formula as a dry additive and rake well afterward. One full cap of said product should suffice for each individual plant, and 2 caps are ideal for shrubs and flower beds.

Pros

• Effective insecticide.
• Handy jug bottle.
• Smart applicator.
• Results in beautiful roses.

6. Down to Earth Organic Rose & Flower Fertilizer Mix – Best Organic Fertilizer

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Your plant will grow lush foliage, a robust root system, and healthier roses. This mix is also suitable for other plants like onions, garlic, and other perennials.

Item Weight: 5.48 pounds

Product Size: 10.91 x 8.07 x 3.7 inches

Fertilizer Type: Granular

Application: Add as dry additive

Make sure to apply throughout the growing season for optimal results. The ratio of this fertilizer is 4-8-4, and one dose of the product can treat nearly 100 square feet of soil. The formula should be added as a dry additive to the soil and raked and mixed at least 3 inches into the soil.

Transplanted vegetation will require 1 or 2 tablespoons of the product, while mature, established plants require something between 2 and 4 tablespoons of formula. Apply the fertilizer at least twice a month during the growing season. Once you mix the granules well with the soil, you can simply water your plants afterward.

Pros

• Great for organic plants.
• Works effectively.
• Easy application.
• Value for money.

7. Neptune’s Harvest Rose & Flowering Formula – Best Liquid Food for Roses

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Item Weight: 2 pounds

Product Size: 4 x 4 x 10 inches

Fertilizer Type: Liquid

Application: Apply like a solution to the soil

It is suitable for trees, shrubs, grass, vegetables, and other flowers. Furthermore, the formula enables plants to battle drought without dying off. The Neptune’s Harvest Rose & Flowering Formula can also be combined with tomato and vegetable fertilizer from the same company for a garden with more variety.

You will need ⅛ cup of liquid for every gallon of water to create a solution to help your plants. Keep applying every week or two until you find that the soil is saturated with the product.

Pros

• Organic product.
• Great results.
• Versatile.

8. Great Big Roses Compost Extract – Best Fast-Acting Formula

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The micronutrients present in the formula help bring your plant to life and make it look even livelier.

Item Weight: 2.46 pounds

Product Size: 7.99 x 6.5 x 2.48 inches

Fertilizer Type: Liquid

Application: Apply like a solution to the soil

All-natural ingredients such as humic acid, bone meal, and kelp prevent damage to the plant, usually caused by synthetic chemicals. This organic formula can be used as a substitute for manure or compost, which are commonly used for fertilizing.

Lastly, this formula is fast-acting and can produce great results in a short amount of time. Simply add 4 ounces of formula to a gallon of water to achieve these results. This will result in a solution that needs to be applied to each plant in a pint.

Pros

• Easy application.
• Value for money.
• Organic formula.
• Great results.

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Nutrients That Roses Need To Grow

So, what exactly defines a formula as the best rose fertilizer? To identify a good fertilizer for your roses, you need to consider the nutrients and macronutrients present in the mix. Following are the primary nutrients that must be present in the best rose fertilizer.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus needs to be present in the formula as this nutrient is crucial to a robust root system. It also controls the production of flowers. A deficiency of this nutrient can prevent flowers from blooming fully. This is a result of an inefficient stem network.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is key to lush green foliage and a more significant number of flowers. A deficiency of this nutrient will leave your plant with yellow leaves. The plant will also cease to grow to its optimum height and remain a dwarf. In contrast, an excess of nitrogen can cause leaves to grow abundantly at the expense of beautiful, vibrant blooms.

Potassium

Potassium aids in plant recovery. Rose plants use this nutrient to revive themselves after insect attacks and weather hazards. You can quickly identify a lack of this nutrient. It is when your plant’s leaves turn yellow, and you notice underdeveloped buds.

Macronutrients

Minute amounts of other minerals like calcium, zinc, iron, boron, magnesium, and even copper are essential to the proper growth of rose plants. These act exactly like multivitamins for humans. However, instead of daily pills, you can feed your plants a good fertilizer formula to achieve similar results.

How To Choose The Best Rose Fertilizer?

With tons of rose fertilizer formulas available in the market today, it is difficult to decide which one to get. So, what things can you keep in mind to pick out the best rose fertilizer? Keep reading to find out!

All rose fertilizers can be divided into two kinds!

Organic formula

Organic fertilizers are made from all-natural ingredients based on plant and animal derivatives. No synthetic chemicals or compounds are added to the mix. These kinds of formulas are best for organic gardens and plants. These slow-release formulas stay in the soil for more extended periods of time. They steadily provide food and nutrients to your plants over an estimated time span.

Due to being created from all-natural ingredients, these can easily substitute manure or compost. However, the nutrition that’s packed into these formulas is usually lower in concentration. These are also not fast-acting as they take a longer time to decompose.

A few kinds that fall under organic formulas include:

• 3 to 4-day old animal manure
• Bone meal (phosphorus)
• Dry blood meal (nitrogen)
• Greensand (potassium)
• Seaweed (nitrogen)
• Rock phosphate (calcium)

Inorganic formula

An inorganic formula, although artificial, can feed plants more efficiently as compared to organic formulas. These are quick-acting formulas that yield fast results. The reason behind their effective performance is thorough lab tests.

Inorganic formulas are usually very concentrated as compared to organic fertilizers. These will quickly and effectively provide nutrition to your rose plants in a short span of time.

Picking between an inorganic fertilizer or organic formula is entirely based on personal preference. However, if you want to supply a fixed and calculated ratio of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus to your plant, you might want to consider inorganic plant food. Furthermore, you can also use inorganic fertilizers to help revive dying rose plants.

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How To Fertilize Rose Plants?

Now that you know all about the best rose fertilizer products and how to differentiate and pick one, it is time to look at another important question. What is the correct procedure for the fertilization of rose plants? In this section, we will answer this question and cover more. Let’s get going!

Most garden enthusiasts and plant lovers mix organic and inorganic fertilizers to create their own suitable mix. This works very well as organic formulas are slow-release while inorganic formulas are fast-acting. A combination of these two helps produce fast and long-lasting results.

Below we have listed a few tips you can follow to help promote lush green foliage and vibrant blooms:

• Prep your soil up in early spring. This should be done before planting roses into your garden soil. Organic fertilizers should be used to create a natural mix. This will prevent synthetic chemicals from damaging the immature rose plants, and the plant will get adapted to nutrients being provided slowly.
• Apply chemical or synthetic fertilizers once roses start blooming in the growth season. Always apply your granular mix around the top 6 inches of soil in a circular pattern. This should be started from the base of the rose plant, slowly moving onto the topsoil.
• Liquid fertilizers can simply be poured in a circular pattern on the top 6 inches of soil after dilution.
• Other minerals that you can add to boost rose plant growth include Epsom salts, sulfur, and magnesium.
• Remember to add other minerals only after the plant has received its first round of fertilizer. It is necessary to ensure that the rose plants have adapted to mineral absorption. Furthermore, Epsom salts should always be raked into the soil and watered down for best results.

Organic Fertilizer Recipes

We have listed two organic rose fertilizer recipes below that you can whip up on your own. These are optional and based on preference and plant needs. Make sure to apply the fertilizer in early spring.

Recipe 1

Ingredients:

• 110 grams of Epsom salt
• 230 grams of fish meal
• 110 grams of bone meal

Instructions:

• Mix all ingredients thoroughly. It will have a foul odor, but this is a given.
• Water your plants before application. Add the mix to the plant base and embed it at least 2 inches deep into the soil.
• Water again after application.

Recipe 2

Ingredients:

• Banana peels

Instructions:

• Banana peels are rich in potassium. You can make compost out of these or even directly add them to the soil.
• Banana peels should be buried at least 3 to 6 inches deep into the soil.
• Banana peel powder yields even better results. Simply chop your peels into tiny pieces and run them in a food blender.
• Apply the powder in early spring.

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How Often Do I Need To Fertilize My Roses?

Fertilizer application is crucial. Nobody wants to burn or kill off their plants due to over-fertilization. It is always safer to under-fertilize rather than go for scary ratios. Always read all instruction manuals and manufacturer guidelines before applying any type of formula to your rose plants.

Organic fertilizers need to be applied at least once each month during the growing season. Start application in early spring and continue for the next 4 weeks. You can stop after your rose plants become dormant. Later on, when they exit hibernation mode, inorganic fertilizers can be used to treat your plants.

Never apply any formula ahead of time or after the indicated period. Both these practices can severely damage your rose plants. You might also notice weak growth. Furthermore, you should stop all fertilization at least 8 weeks before the first snow.

Fertilization needs also vary depending on where your plant is sown. Rose plants growing in pitted containers need to be fertilized more often. Always make sure to add fertilizer at 3-week intervals. Yellow foliage will indicate that your plant is running low in nutrients.

Rose plants live to feast on nutrients. Therefore, granular fertilizer should be applied every 2 to 3 weeks at the peak of the growing season.

When Is The Best Time To Fertilize Roses?

You should add the best rose fertilizers to the soil during the correct time for best results. The first fertilizer application should be during the middle or towards the end of spring. This is after the winters have ended.

Later, you need to start reapplication as the season progresses towards the autumn months with an interval of 2 to 3 weeks. Always stop fertilizing at least 6 to 8 weeks before the first snow or winter wave.

Doing so enables delicate shoots to become hardy. They will be able to survive the frost season and revive quickly later on.

Sunlight, Water, And pH Requirements For Rose Plants

Sunlight

Rose plants thrive well and are easier to care for than other flowering plants. Rose plants do not react to temperature changes very rapidly. They usually go into hibernation mode during the winters. Although hibernating plants look like a pile of sticks, they are not dead. These usually revive with lush green foliage and vibrant blooms once the growth season kicks in.

Rose plants require at least 5 to 6 hours of bright, direct sunlight to thrive well. Adequate sunlight promotes the abundance of flowers and blooming capacity.

If you have potted plants, make sure you place them near a window that lets in enough sunlight. Ensure that they receive shade during the afternoon as direct sunlight for more extended periods of time can burn the foliage.

Water requirements

Watering plants is an essential and integral step for maintaining healthy plants. Immature rose plants need to be drenched in water to help them thrive. Make sure you do not completely drown the roots, as this can lead to root rot. The Kintore content should be adequate but not overwhelming.

Mulch is also a great way to help the soil retain its moisture. Simply gather it around the plant base to rule out stress from external factors.

You will need to water your plants well during the summers. Make sure you water your rose plants at least two times each week. Water should always seep into the root area without drowning them. This will not only help improve water absorption it will also keep fungal diseases at bay. You can start watering less as the weather turns colder.

pH level

Rose plants thrive well in well-drained loamy soil. The soil should be wet but not flooded. Therefore, never opt for clay soil for your roses.

A pH level between 5.5 to 7.0 is ideal for rose plants. These plants do well in lower pH levels, and an acidic level of 6.5 will produce the best foliage and flowers.

Tips And Tricks For Rose Plant Fertilization

You could have the best rose fertilizer at hand, but you will not get great results if you ignore the tips below. These are tried and tested tricks used by most garden enthusiasts. Let’s take a look:

• Roses with bare roots should be placed in a dark and cold room. Make sure they receive enough moisture.
• Create a protective shield for your roses from the cold weather by keeping your plants near boundary walls and walkways. The walls will shield the plants from the cool air, but you need to make sure they get enough sunlight.
• Do not overcrowd your soil bed by planting rose plants very close to each other. Overcrowding usually results in powdery or downy mildew.
• Pack rose stems with loose soil once they have been transplanted to newer soil. This will help them adapt to their surrounding environment.
• Add banana peels or powder to the soil to enrich it with minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Make sure you place banana peels at least 4 to 6 inches deep into the soil. This is after you have soaked them for at least two weeks in water.
• Keep your petals and leaves dry when you water your plants. This will prevent the development of fungal diseases and infections.

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15 Top Rose Varieties

For those interested, here are the 15 Top Rose Varieties you should know about. Go through the list and see which ones will fit the type of garden you plan on having!

1. About Face aka Rosa Grandiflora ‘About Face’
2. Bonica aka Rosa Bonica
3. Cherry Parfait aka Rosa floribunda ‘Cherry Parfait’
4. Teasing Georgia, aka Rosa ‘Teasing Georgia’
5. Easy Does It aka Rosa floribunda ‘Easy Does It’
6. Falstaff aka Rosa ‘Falstaff’
7. Tahitian Sunset aka Rosa Hybrid Tea ‘Tahitian Sunset’
8. Rainbow Knockout aka Rosa ‘Rainbow Knockout’
9. Julia Child aka Rosa Floribunda ‘Julia Child’
10. Mardi Gras aka Rosa floribunda ‘Mardi Gras’
11. Morden Fireglow aka Rosa floribunda ‘Morden Fireglow’
12. Pat Austin aka Rosa ‘Pat Austin’
13. Wild Blue Yonder aka Rosa Grandiflora ‘Wild Blue Yonder
14. Elle aka Rosa Hybrid Tea ‘Elle’
15. Frankly Scarlet aka Rosa floribunda ‘Frankly Scarlet’

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Conclusion

Now that we have covered everything in detail, we are sure you will pick the best rose fertilizer for your plants. It should become easier once you clearly understand the difference between organic and inorganic formulas. You can also add coffee grounds, Epsom salts, and banana peels to help provide various nutrients to the soil.

No matter what you choose, you can only vouch for your fertilizer if it produces excellent results. Once you get the hang of the proper routine for your plants along with the best-suited products, you can go ahead and invest in even more rose plant species. If you can care for one, you can care for a few more!

Roses are some of the most vibrant and beautiful flowers with amazing scents. Different colors are symbols for different things such as love, friendship, and royalty. If you do not have some of these already planted in your garden, you are truly missing out. We suggest getting some if you haven’t done so yet.

Good luck and happy planting!

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