Question
Hello! I have 4 rose plants in northern new jersey for about 3 years now.  This year, all of these grew very well all summer.  I waited until September and then I gave up on seeing any flowers ever on these roses.  I don't recall the names of any of them but they were purchased at Home Depot and looked really healthy.  They still look really healthy but they don't have any flowers.  I give them rose fertilizer (Miracle Grow) every other week and I didn't prune them at all.  There were no insects and only a few leaves that got yellow toward the late summer.  And no flowers so there were no flower bugs.  Please help as I think I have waited long enough.  Could it be that these were dud roses I bought?  Is there such a thing as that?  Should I replace them and start over with new ones?  Help1

Answer
Miracle-Gro's 18-24-16 analysis (N-P-K) shows a stronger concentration of Phosphorous for your Roses without neglecting the Nitrogen they need.  Remember, Roses are major Nitrogen feeders.  They depend on that lush growth to create those beautiful Roses.  First feeding should be poured when leaves first appear.

But there are problems with using Miracle Gro.  As a chemical fertilizer, it can be counted on to deliver nutrients almost instantly.  But it can also be counted on to burn roots and leaves if applied too often  or too strong; and salts will definitely build to toxic levels.  For Nitrogen requirements, a spring Manure dressing and occasional Fish emulsion applications will deliver N gently and steadily while feeding the soil.  Humus and a dressing of Bone Meal plus regular Phosphorous feedings will build flowers in spring and roots for winter.

Winter care will protect that lush growth through to spring.  For now, mound a foot of soil around the canes from another part of your garden.  After the ground freezes, put 6 inches of dead autumn leaves atop the mounds.   Remove in spring and fertilize.

There is no such thing as dud Roses.  Everything your Roses need to thrive and flower is in your hands.



But heavy feeding is no substitute for rich garden loam.