When talking to gardeners interested in growing roses, I often come across one thing:
A feeling of being overwhelmed. Seems like a lot of stuff involved, doesn’t it?
Indeed, there are many different varieties and cultivars, from wild roses to large-flowered roses to tea roses. It’s also true that growing up can be a challenge at times. But it doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful.
Start with one plant and see how you feel about life with these garden gems. If you’re like me, you’ll end up falling in love.
I used to hate the idea of growing roses, in part because I didn’t like growing something that I couldn’t cook or was too picky about.
The Benefits Of Epsom Salts On Roses
The chemical composition of Epsom salts is simple. It is hydrated magnesium sulfate. All types of plants absorb magnesium quickly and benefit greatly when diluted with water.
Here are some benefits of magnesium sulfate for garden plants:
- Makes more flavorful tomatoes, veggies, and fruits!
- Supports efficient nutrient uptake
- Increases blooms & fruit
- Speeds plant growth
- Deters pests like snails and slugs
- Improves seed germination and chlorophyll production
While Epsom salt is beneficial, it’s always a good idea to test the soil before using it.
Use Epsom salts as a magnesium deficiency supplement to help promote fruiting, flowering, and plant growth.
Is Epsom Salt Good For Roses?
Serious rose lovers use Epsom salts to enhance their plants. Using Epsom salts will help “build up” the lush dark green foliage as a beautiful backdrop for dazzling, bright, luscious flower buds.
The added magnesium content helps increase the production of chlorophyll in the plant for intensity and deep, rich color.
Supplementing roses with Epsom salts “supports” slow-release fertilizers and helps the plant produce more soil breakouts (tubes that appear at the base of the plant) for lush, lush foliage and increased flower size and abundance, preferably when planted Use the dosage of Epsom salts.
Apply Epsom salt as soon as you see new growth, and again when it starts to bloom. Follow these instructions for the right application at the right time:
Spread Epsom salts, such as grass seeds, at a rate of about 1 cup per 100 square feet. Do a good job in the soil before planting.
Epsom Salt And Roses Into Soil
Broadcast Epsom salt like grass seed at a rate of about a cup per 100 hundred square feet. Work it into the soil very well before planting.
Use Epsom salt as fertilizer on rose petals when planting
Before planting shrubs like knockout roses (including double knockout roses), give the roots a good bath in a gallon of warm water mixed with 1/2 cup Epsom salts.
When planting new shrubs, add a tablespoon of Epsom salt to the bottom of the hole. Cover it with soil and place the plant on top.
Adding Epsom Salts to Established Plants
How much Epsom salt do you use on roses?
For mature roses, add top dressing to the soil. On roses, each a foot tall, sprinkle about a tablespoon of Epsom salt around the plants.
Soak thoroughly. You can use a top dressing once a month throughout the growing season.
Use Epsom salts as a foliar spray application
I don’t like to overspray on rose petals due to potential powdery mildew. use with caution. However, overall, I like liquid fertilizer applications. They work best in all forms of application. o Using a foliar spray, add one tablespoon of Epsom salts to one gallon of water per foot of bush height. Spray the leaves as soon as the leaves open in the spring and when the roses begin to bloom.
Epsom salts have been a true boon to master gardeners for decades, especially rosary beads. It provides great benefits to plants and soil, is safe (used in moderation), and is affordable.
It’s an all-natural “rose” fertilizer that gardeners of all kinds swear by; although their claims have never been scientifically proven.
