T roses and knockout roses

Question

I have a couple of knockout rose bushes and three T rose bushes near each other. For the first time in 8 or so years, I fertilized them according to the package. My red T rose has been affected and now has a multitude of buds and blooms similar to the knockout rosebush, with hardly any fragrance. I’m mourning my old rosebush with it’s big beautiful fragrant roses. Is the bush now doomed to be this way forever?

Answer 1

When you say T roses, I assume you mean hybrid tea roses. First off I would check the nitrogen content of the fertilizer used. High nitrogen fertilizers increase growth that can cause more foliage and less to no blooms and can at times cause limited to no fragrance. I recommend feeding the roses with a good organic or organic based rose food, even give them all a cup of kelp meal. If the weather has been hot where you are that could be part of the problem. If the fragrance was there before, it certainly should return. I had a dear friend whom told me of this same problem once and when I checked the roses I found them to be nicely fragrant. It turned out he had a sinus condition that had developed and was not aware of it. Keep the roses well watered and give them the kelp and organic food. Let me know how things go.