I found a product called Clearex Salt Leaching Solution on a rose nursery web site and it is supose I quote, "Clearex® is an isotonic drenching solution that unlocks the ionic bond between the nutrient and the soil or soilless grow substrate, correcting the problem of nutrient salt toxicity and lockout, allowing plants to excel again."

Has anyone used this or does anyone have another idea besides repotting? The containers I have are 20" dia x 19" deep so you can see why I am trying not to repot.

Thanks
Liz

If you would care to spend a bit more money upfront and take the time to track down some ingredients, this is the forum where you can be helped to build a potting mix that will last years (indefinitely really) and that you won't need to worry about salt build up in.

Your roses would love it too.

Liz

At the same time there is a practical limit as to how long a potting mix with a high percentage of organic matter (peat, coir, pine bark) can maintain a healthy, aerated environment for roots. The organic component(s) of the mix break down into smaller and smaller particles as time goes on squeezing out air spaces in the mix, and making it increasingly difficult to water properly so there is no accumulation of salts in the mix.

That's why I am suggesting making your own from ingredients that will last longer. A good place to start learning about this option is this thread.

In particular I am recommending something along the lines of the 'gritty' mix as described in the linked to thread. It has a low percentage of organic matter and therefore remains suitable for plants for much longer than mixes with a high percentage of organic matter.

Do these containers stay in place all year or are they moved? If they stay in place one option would be to open the bottom of the container so that it makes contact with the earth below (assuming these pots are on dirt and not a deck/patio etc. This would resolve the drainage problem that occurs in mixes that are highly organic and older than is still wise to use. They would effectively become raised beds.

I live in a condo assoc and have permission to grow roses in containers in the beds in front of my home so cutting the bottoms out of the pots is not a option. These pots need to maintain the ability to be moved so the beds can be mulched and the other in the ground small evergreen shrubs can be trimmed.