I have had to dig up a number of roses in my garden due to some wall construction issues. I have never had good look growing roses in containers. Those that do - what kind of soil is in your container? How often do you fertilize? Thank you Diane
The type of potting soil you should use is probably dependent upon your climate. I exclusively grow roses (and everything else) in pots due to seismically engineered soil to reduce earthquake damage in case of quakes. It’s mandated by the State of California for construction safety. The soil is mechanically compacted to near bedrock so shock waves pass quickly with little motion. That means no air space between soil particles hence, no drainage. My climate is rather arid and rains are sparse. I exclusively use Miracle Gro Moisture Control Potting Soil with Coir (NOT the garbage with “landfill material” in it. That stuff is NASTY.) to hold all the plants over between waterings. If you receive heavy or consistent rains, that soil will remain too wet for you to use safely so you would benefit from something looser, with less water holding capabilities. You want good drainage so the soil doesn’t sour and kill the plants. I would not put saucers under the pots as the evaporation of water in the saucers concentrates the salts in the water, permitting them to be drawn back up into the soil balls. If you have to put saucers down to protect hardscape, put bricks or layers of gravel under the pots so the water drains out of the pots and isn’t drawn back into them. I’ve heard of people in overly wet conditions literally planting in nearly a cactus mix with good results. As for fertilizer…how long will the plants be required to remain potted? I’m sure you know not to fertilize until you see the appropriate new growth emerging from the plants. If they don’t have to remain potted for more than a few months, you probably don’t even need to fertilize, but if you do, it’s probably safer to use something like a Miracle Gro liquid in the hose end feeder or the water soluble crystals in a watering can or bucket. I’d water well then the next day hit them with a weaker solution than the label suggests. Pelletized types are far easier to burn the plants with due to the limited soil surface in containers. A liquid feed on well watered plants is safe and easier to tailor to the container size. Feeding with a lower concentration is safer than using full strength. You can always add more but it’s difficult to remove an over feeding. If you have time, try the “weakly, weekly” liquid feeding. Instead of a tablespoon per gallon every two weeks, give them a half tablespoon every week so the nutrients are more consistently available instead of feast or famine. Personally, I seldom fertilize, unless it’s to push a new seedling to generate more material from which to propagate and evaluate it. Otherwise, the plants do their thing and appear happy so I leave them to their own devices.
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Hello Diane.
I have over two hundred roses growing 30Ltr containers with saucers to prevent roots getting into the garden soil. Containers are double drained. COMPOST. I use Westland multi purpose peat free with added John Innes. Sometimes I add some perlite. FEEDING. Toprose granules. Tomorite liquid and I am about to try Nutragrow. I have no routine feeding schedule apart from 60 yrs of growing experience.
Roses as like, most shrubs usually prefer open ground. However geographic location etc may dictate otherwise. Roses and many shrubs previously grown in the ground, will have probably made thick heavy roots. To now replant/containerize, root pruning may be rquired.
I live in the UK, in sight of ELTHAM PALACE. My garden is small and the soil has been contaminated by cat waste, hence the reason for container growing.
Best wishes.
Mike.
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Hi Diane!
All my roses are in containers as I am located in NYC and everything is on a terrace.
I had been using very fancy Espoma Organic Potting Mix. It was very successful. It’s lightweight. Keep an eye on how much moisture it’s retaining.
Since I’m unable to drive to the garden center these day and I need to get things delivered, I’m going to try Miracle Gro Organic mix on my 6 new roses. I was very limited in what I could get delivered in bulk (without spending a fortune).
I feed them with Rose Tone and Great Big Roses. Follow the directions for containers.
Thank you Laura. I will give Espoma a try.