Q.potted rose bush that I pruned
I have a potted rose bush that I pruned and the stems are now very weak and it is taking a long time to come back. I live in SW Florida and the plant gets 6 hours of sun and is watered regularly. It is a red masterpiece. I would like it to have thicker stems. What should I do?
Well the first thing I take a look at is how long the rose has been in that pot. It does not take long for a rosebush to become root bound in a container. It may well need to be transplanted into a new pot with good well draining soils. Be sure to use pots that do have drainage holes in the bottom or root rot problems will arise. In a pot, not knowing for sure how big your pot is, I would say to purchase some Muriate of potash and give the rosebush a couple tablespoons by sprinkling it around the base of the rosebush and working into the soils lightly. Then water. After about 10 days give the same rosebush two tablespoons of Epsom Salts applied in the same manner as for the potash. Water it in and wait for the root system to take it up.
