Roses And That Cup Of Bone Meal In The Planting Hole

When plant roses one of the most common instructions is always to “ toss a cup of osseous tissue repast in the bottom of the hollow ” . The reasoning behind this is that pearl meal is phosphate , roses really need it and since it does n’t travel through the dirt rapidly it ’s best to put it in the pickle .

I used to do this very too soon in my rose wine days , but then stopped doing so when I started the greenhouse . I did a ground psychoanalysis and the results did n’t call for it . I ’ve not done it since and quite candidly never find any difference . So I never thought about it again , and when people ask me if they should use it I simply answer by saying you could if you desire to but I do n’t .

I figured after all , what harm can it do ?

At least that is what I thought until someone posted a connexion on our Discussion Forum to a short newspaper publisher byLinda Chalker - Scott , Ph.D. , Extension Horticulturist and Associate Professor , Puyallup Research and Extension Center , Washington State University . She entitled the paper

“ The Myth of Phosphate , Part II . Roses need phosphate fertilizer for root and flower growth ”

She began by observe that she could not find any scientific research pronounce that rose wine needed more phosphate than other plants . And in fact the phosphate levels of most soils are dead adequate for roses and all plants – something my grease analysis and notice noted all those years ago .

But then the next part really made me tolerate up and take notice . I cite .

“ legion field of study have demonstrated that rose , like most terrestrial plants , maintain symbiotic relationships with good fungus . If you supply phosphate to your rose plants , you will decrease the power of mycorrhizal fungi to colonize the roseate solution . ”

That was an center unfastener . I ’ve always preached against those systemic all in one fertilizers , fungicides and insecticide because survey show the have an impact on critical land life but this was new . Professor Chalker survive on to add .

“ Without these fungous better half , rose base must work harder to educe water and nutrient from the soil . Moreover , this excess phosphate is deleterious to other soil organism . With increased fertilizer additions , territory salt increase . You have now created an artificial system in which soil health is so impact that you must proceed to add fertilizer for your plant to survive . ”

Now that last statement is great intelligence if you own stock in a chemical plant food fellowship but not good tidings for your roses . Those living soil organisms supply the lifelike nutrients that work in harmony with your rose to boost their own natural resistant system . Professor Chalker is advise that by adding artificial fertilizers we are actually getting in the way of that process .

Professor Chalker - Scott goes on to say this .

“ I believe this is what has happen in many landscape that feature roses . Well - intentioned , yet misdirect , homeowners over apply phosphate and other plant food , insecticides , and fungicides until the soil system is so impacted that it becomes non - functional . Without the good grease organisms , blush wine become more susceptible to nutrient inadequacy and opportunistic disease , causing rose aficionado to sum even more of these chemical substance . ”

One more reason to just treat rose like any other plant . After all Roses Are Plants , Too .

Happy RoseingPaul

If you wish to take the paperclick herefor a connection .

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