Rose Fertilising

silkyfizz wrote:I thought it might, smells similar but not as overpowering as Dynamic Lifter. Thanks for the info neptune.

they make the product that looks like D/Lifter called Rocket Fuel...you can buy it at bunnings and is a lot cheaper than dy lifter

Fresh poultry manure will "burn" plants. Maybe the caution on the tag is because of that - they may have had a lot of complaints of people whose roses died at planting (even though it was their own fault for using "hot" manure). I'm pretty sure fresh sheep/cattle/horse manure isn't as strong as poultry - it doesn't have the Nitrogen levels.

Chicken manure NPK ratio is about 3-2.5-1.5 to 6-4-3 on average and have never found one that is 10:2:12. That is abnormally high and yates must have added a lot of gear to get it up to that ratio, in the N & K area. With the P area only value at 2, they are not looking after the root system tooo much....

fresh poultry manure is high in ammonia that causes the burn

neptune wrote:

they make the product that looks like D/Lifter called Rocket Fuel...you can buy it at bunnings and is a lot cheaper than dy lifter

By "they" I take it you mean makers of Sudden Impact? How does Rocket Fuel compare for roses? Do you recommend it Neptune?
I'm just in the process of using SI, haven't used it before and I'm happy that the dogs aren't too fussed, as opposed to Dynamic L. Then it's moonscape time with all their excavations.

I have used it after the winter prune to boost the nitrogen value and microbes of the soil. I have only brought one bag of it and cannot tell the long term value of it

I found adding manures to an area were you intend to plant roses, say one month before is ok, but at time of planting I add nothing. If you have not the time to do prep work, a very good deep dig is good with the enrichment done down the line around one month later.

adding to what Warren mentioned above....on planting....dig a deep hole .....put the manure in the bottom(even fresh)......add 4 - 5 inch layer of soil over the top of that .....and then plant the rose.
This, then gives the manure time to compost , while the bush is growing and settling in. By the time the roots have made their way thru that layer of sand , the manure would have composted by then and the rose bush will love you for it

In the absence of cow manure, and with a new distrust of Dynamic Lifter, I went the really ancient route , and plopped a boring Basa fish fillet on top of several inches of dirt, then added more potting mix, then the bareroot plant, then filled in the soil.

I ran out of Basa halfway through, but that's life. Some kids have advantages, some don't

Betsy , can't tell if you are joking or not on that one, i have a funny feeling you probably are , but well i dunno , Basa fillet lol ha ha

It would work as it turns to compost....but I think she is skimpping a bit and should have put in two Basa.....[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Nope,maree, that's no Fishy Tale Tried this trick about 12 years ago when I had run out of slow-release fertiliser to add to a pot about to receive a bareroot rose. Someone said that her Swedish grandmother used to bury a fish under every rose in her garden. So I thought, why not? Makes sense (unless you've only got wild Alaskan salmon or fresh Barramundi at hand - hey, let the roses starve in that case! But crappy Basa - roses welcome to that anytime.)

Did it work? I confess I really didn't pay much attention. Must have, because I had no abject failures that year, just the usual trials and tribs with bs later in the season.

Edit: Neptune, did I shortchange the roses? Ah well, not digging 'em up now, I'm here to tell ya

Betsy, that's the funniest thing I've ever heard!
Can just imagine the conversation with fishmonger: "Yeah I'll have 30 basa fillets thanks."
"Having a do on at home love?"
"No, they're for my roses!"
Priceless!
Just to get back to fertiliser issues. I have always believed that new roses should just be left to grow the first year to allow them to develop good root systems, fertiliser not required as it forces the rose to produce top growth and flowers at the expense of strong roots. Is this wrong? I have mulched well with lucerne. Some compost incorporated into soil prior to planting but not a lot as I didn't have much to start with. Should I be feeding my new roses do you think? Especially now as they have been well and truly chomped by the blasted possums.

I know someone who swears by planting an ox liver underneath a passionfruit vine...

Silky; I don't fertilize untill I am happy that they are settled in and have healthy growth forming. Plants are sort of balanced, whats on top is usually the same underground.

Thanks Ozroz, might wait a little bit then.

Betsy , can always rely on you to add a bit of offbeat humour to this page , and some well , different rose growing tips ......

During the last month I have been asked for details of the products I'm currently trialing for BAC Plant Foods. Results suggest these are top Hydroponic Nutrients that can be used direct to the plant.

For information about these products please go to bacplantfood.com.au

All products are very user friendly which is always my main requirement.
I am not selling these products or receiving money in any way.
The company asked me to do several trials which to date have been exceptional. Currently I'm treating 1 to 4 inch seedlings that are not growing, covered in mildew and falling over. After treatment with their Foliar Spray the plants are standing up, putting on growth and mildew is starting to clear up. The next trial will be to spray seedlings when they first germinate and continue twice weekly until seedlings produce their first flower.

Which specific products have you trialed Bruce

David, the first trial was with BAC Root Stimulater and BAC Bloom Stimulater on 8" potted Hibiscus. The growth is now 25% larger and deeper green colour in the treated pots.

Another still in progress is rooting 2 1/2 metre long Multiflora canes intended to make very tall standards 2 to 2 1/2 metres high. Not doing these commercially but for the challenge. Currently these have excellent top growth but the roots remain in the rooting mix and will not disturb until March/April. I used BAC Bioclone Gel and BAC Root Stimulator.

Also the BAC Foliar Spray mentioned above, Post # 1283.

There is another interesting product called BAC XSeed which I hope to use with rose seeds next season.

There is a product called BAC Organic Pro-Active very concentrated so would think it a concentrated version of GoGo Juice.

All the products have been formulated in Holland for use in heated igloos for Hydroponic use. Since the Dutch are leaders in this field results would be as good as it gets. This company is now Australian owned which is good reason to use these products.

The trials continue on field planted 8" Multiflora cuttings treated with BAC Bioclone Gel and results will be something to report on in the future.

Very, very impressive!!!! Good one, Ozeboy.

Thanks Bruce, any idea of costs per container, I couldn't find a price list.
I like the BAC XSeed stuff.

David, I have no idea as the products were given to me for trial. The only cost to me was conducting the tests and compiling reports on my findings. I'll ask my contact if he can include a recomended retail price on their site.

You probably know I have been looking for an easy method to root standards. Most methods have been difficult and period of time to get enough roots so they will stand alone. I'm hoping these products will give me a large root ball in 6 months. My theory is if I can do it with 2 1/2metre long Multiflora canes, metre long should be a easy.

Thanks Bruce

David the suggested retail price of 20 mil BAS X Seed is $10.20.

I have asked for a list of resellers because the pack is 16 to a carton.

All the products are formulated for Hydroponics hence they are extremely concentrated.