Question
Dear Henry,

Thanks for your help. My mi ni roses have been in the ground for two weeks. They look great and I needn't work like a fireman to try to save them from problems. God watered them in the evening (I guess, coz i saw water on their leaves in the morning),and they have no problems so far.

The temperature here in the last few weeks was high, around 65F. I didn't put bone meal when I planted them because i didn't see it at LOW'S or Homedepo. I used garden soil and mulched them. They looked good but not seemed to grow. I have rose food 4-12-4 home. Do you think I should feed them a little bit? The No. 12 means the material which they need to grow roots, right? They need to grow roots after planting. Right? I will act after getting your advice.

Many thanks!
Lena  

Answer
Lena, You are right - the "12" is the Phosphorous for roots, but the numbers before and after will stimulate growth that will be very, very bad for your Rose(s).  The first number in particular, "N" for Nitrogen, will cause problems.

Lowes and Home Depot have put all their gardening supplies away for the winter.  They are best at packing away the Bone Meal while simultaneously setting up their spring bulbws displays.  These are not the best places to obtain your gardening supplies and I urge you to find a real garden center that will sell you the things you need.  Bone meal is one of them.

The unseasonable warmth is a problem around this time of year.  But not a big one.  You don't see any of the local trees starting to grow leaves, do you?  A serious cold spell over a serious duration is needed to set buds.  Ditto for your Roses.

Best thing, without fertilizer, is to just let your Roses harden off - Pardon me but I forget how many of these little minis you have - and prepare them for the long, cold winter.  Next spring, keep an eye out for Bone Meal.  It takes time to be effective but it is the best thing going, and will do wonders for your Roses.

The warm snap will end.  Unfortunately.  Winter is around the corner.  The Midwest was deep freezed yesterday; those temps are moving east and will be here before you know it.

Keep me posted.