Super Rose Fertilizer Recipe

Author: Keith Muraoka
Published on: Jul 25, 2002

Q. I remember reading a while back about a sure-fire fertilizer recipe for roses. For the life of me, though, I can’t remember where it was I read about it and what the ingredients were. Can you help?

A. I won’t take credit for this one, but there was a super rose fertilizer recipe in the San Jose Mercury News back in early May, courtesy of Dave Lowell, an accomplished rosarian from Livermore. Keys to this recipe are common Epsom salts and sulfur in the form of Ironite or soil sulfur. The Epsom salts spur new growth, while the Ironite or soil sulfur help to bring the alkalinity of our soil pH down so the fertilizer can work. The recipe includes:

½ cup balanced fertilizer, such as 12-12-12

½ cup bone meal

½ cup sulfur (Ironite soil sulfur of iron sulphate)

2 tablespoons Epsom salts

1 shovelful of chicken manure, mushroom compost or other organic material

Sprinkle this solution around established roses, mixing it into the soil if possible. Try to use it at least twice a year, once in early spring and again for a boost in the middle of summer.

Q. My roses have a white, powdery substance on some leaves. When I shake the bush, some of the white stuff falls off. What can I do?

A. Blame powdery mildew. These diseases are caused by fungi that appears as white or gray circular patches on leaves. Most modern roses are more resistant to this disease than old-timers. Pick off and destroy infected leaves and flowers. You can also spray with products, such as Doo- spray, sulfur, copper soap fungicide and even baking soda mixtures.

Q. We have several sago palms in front of our house, and the outer leaves turn yellow. The ones closer to the house are fine. Can you tell me what the problem is and what kind of fertilizer I can give it?

A. It sounds like your sago palms are getting sunburn! That’s why the outer ones are turning yellow, but the ones closer to the house are fine. I’m willing to bet that the ones closer to the house are somewhat shaded. Also, sago palms tend to die from the bottom up, so keep them looking good by cutting off the dead fronds as they die. There’s not much you can do about the yellowing leaves. You can try to keep your sago palms healthier by fertilizing with Ironite or liquid iron. This will help some on yellow leaves, but won’t be cure-all.