How to fertilize roses during the rainy spring period?
The editor introduces to you why rose leaves turn yellow in April and the related experience of fertilizing roses during the continuous rainy season in spring. Let's take a look together.
April is a time when roses surprise us and also scare us. Why do I say that? In April, our roses sequentially produce flower buds, which are delightful to see. However, seeing the continuous yellowing of rose leaves can be worrying. With the abundant rain in April and the continuous cloudy and rainy weather, it's impossible to apply water-soluble fertilizers to the roots, which can lead to concerns about the roses lacking fertilizer and producing fewer flower buds.
Today, let's focus on why rose leaves turn yellow in this season and how to fertilize during rainy periods. I hope this is helpful to you. If you want to learn systematic rose cultivation and prevention quickly, you can read the book "How to Raise Roses from Scratch" written by the editor, which is very comprehensive.
Why do rose leaves turn yellow in April?
Spring is supposed to be the growing period for roses, the time for long branches, leaves, and flower buds. Why do yellow leaves still appear?
Actually, roses start to germinate in February and by April, after two months of growth, the plants have grown several times larger than in February. The upper leaves of the branches are large and have absorbed a lot of fertilizer, water, sunlight, and rain, while the lower leaves near the branches get relatively less nutrients and sunlight, which will gradually turn yellow and fall off. This is actually a natural metabolic phenomenon and there is no need to worry. Just remove the yellow leaves.
How do we determine if the yellowing of rose leaves is due to natural metabolism or disease? It's simple. Yellow leaves from natural metabolism usually concentrate near the inner and bottom parts of the plant, and they are purely yellow without spots. If there are blackish-brown spots, it's a black spot disease. If the leaves are clean and just turn yellow and fall off, it can be judged as yellow leaves from natural metabolism.
No matter whether it's a shrub rose or a climbing rose, or whether it's potted or planted in the ground, metabolic yellow leaves are likely to appear at this time. Be prepared and don't panic when you encounter them.
How to fertilize roses during the rainy spring period?
As the saying goes, spring rain is as precious as oil, but too much rain is讨厌. Long periods of rain can easily lead to black spot disease in our roses, and the opportunity to apply water-soluble fertilizers decreases, which can also cause the roses to lack fertilizer. Regarding the issue of fertilizing during continuous rainy days, here are three fertilizing suggestions for you.
1. - - Apply fermented organic fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer promptly during the rainy season - -
In continuous rainy weather, we can apply some fermented organic fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer to roses. These long-acting fertilizers will release some nutrients with the rain and enter the soil, which our roses can absorb and utilize.
However, slow-release fertilizers can only solve the basic needs of roses during their rapid growth period. For a better diet, fast-acting water-soluble fertilizers are needed. This is where the second method comes in.
2. - - Spread monopotassium phosphate fertilizer during the rain - -
Many flower friends think that water-soluble fertilizers can only be applied by diluting with water, but that's not the case. Spreading during the rain is also a good fertilizing method. Sprinkle monopotassium phosphate fertilizer evenly around the rose roots (edge of the pot), and during the rain, the monopotassium phosphate will dissolve with the rainwater and enter the soil, allowing our roses to enjoy a feast.
It should be noted that when spreading water-soluble fertilizers, timing is crucial. Continuous light rain is the most suitable for spreading, but if it's a heavy downpour, it's better to skip it, as the roses may not get to the fertilizer before it's washed away by the rain. In heavy rain, it's more suitable to use fermented organic fertilizer granules, slow-release fertilizers, or compound fertilizers.
3. - - Immediately apply monopotassium phosphate fertilizer solution to the roots after the rain stops - -
No matter whether we have applied fertilizer during the rain or not, it's essential to apply monopotassium phosphate fertilizer solution to the roots immediately after the rain stops and the weather clears up.
Some flower friends might say, "But the soil is still wet. Can we apply fertilizer water?"
Actually, as long as it's watered thoroughly, it's fine. Our fertilizer water will replace the rainwater that was previously in the soil, updating the soil environment, which is more beneficial for rose growth. But be sure to water thoroughly, don't apply half the water!
The above introduction on why rose leaves turn yellow in April and how to fertilize roses during the rainy spring period is for reference and suggestion.