By Jonah13
Berkshire,
United Kingdom 
How often and when should a rose in a pot be fed? This is Iceberg. I think by the size it has got to this spring the roots must have found their way down through the holes in the bottom of the pot and into the ground. I know roses in pots need feeding more often than when planted in a bed, I believe three times per season instead of two, but when best? I gave it 20 grams of powdered fertilizer at the end of March. When should the second feed be? And when should the third and final? Advice appreciated.
11 May, 2012
Answers
Righty ho. Thank you Bamboo. I'm so meticulous about getting things right. Like I said, it is powdered fertilizer I am using, not a slow release granule like an Osmocote kind of thing. I will write it on my calendar. Better do the second one right now then. It does put on two good flushes a year despite being pot restricted.
11 May, 2012
If you're using proper rose food (like Toprose), which is very fine granules, more like sand, it should say on the box how often to use it, but from memory it says once in April and again 6 weeks later.
11 May, 2012
It's "Miracle-grow Rose and shrub Food". That must be the same thing, right? 'Tis like sand. I have a feeling it is a better way for us to to feed our roses than slow-granules as they would release nutrients for 6 months all the way to the autumn, even though it claims it is suitable for roses.
11 May, 2012
If that's what you're using, its a slow release product, feeds for up to six months.
11 May, 2012
Second feed 6 weeks later than the first one, and the third 6 weeks later again, if there's time, but not after mid June. If you're using granular fertilizer, that is.
11 May, 2012