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Questions, Answers and Comments by Category
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I have a question that I'm hoping those people who have experience in raising new seedlings may be able to answer.
I have a few seedlings of tea roses that have recently germinated and I'm wondering how soon I can fertilise them, which fertilisers are best and at what strength? They just have a few true leaves, are still tiny and aren't really putting on new growth. I don't want to do the wrong thing and harm them. They are currently in a seed mix of perlite and peat moss which wouldn't contain much nutrient. It's midsummer at the moment here in Australia.
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I decant my seedlings into 6 or 7 inch wide (top diameter) pots. Once they have a few leaves, I feed with approximately one tablespoon of chopped lucerne hay, topped with the same amount of sheep manure. Repeat about every four weeks. Later, when they are really on their way, a quarter teaspoon of sulphate of potash.
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Hubert, they don't need much fertilizer initially, It's always best to err to the side of caution. I sometimes wait until they have true leaves to start.
I suggest quarter strength fish emulsion. Once they initiate true leaves increase to half strength and once they are hardened off completely and established full strength.
You can substitute original Miracle Gro at similar ratios, but I've found the fish fertilizer also helps prevent damping off early on.
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#3 of 6 posted
30 DEC 18 by
 HubertG
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Thanks Patricia and Robert, I don't have lucerne or sheep manure handy, so I'll go with the fish emulsion initially and try the miracle gro later. Is it OK to wet the leaves or best to avoid that? Also is seaweed extract beneficial since it's pretty good for most things?
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I use dilute Seasol on a wide range of things I want to grow roots. Re timing; you could also ask Andrew Ross (contact via the Ross Roses website) - he's involved with the Aus Rose Breeders' Asssociation.
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#5 of 6 posted
30 DEC 18 by
HubertG
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Thanks Margaret, I might do that.
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Yes, wet the leaves. Nutrients can also be absorbed through foliage.
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