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Faster Growth-Basil Breaks
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Posted by
dmoore66_gardener 6 (
My Page) on
Mon, May 21, 12 at 14:08
I planted eighteen hybrid teas this spring and the new growth is rather spindly.
I was wondering is there something I can do to fatten these roses up?
My wife does not want me to use alfalfa tea because of the smell. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Faster Growth-Basil Breaks
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- Posted by hoovb z9 Southern CA (My Page) on
Mon, May 21, 12 at 14:17
| You can get the same effect as the smelly tea by just spreading the alfafa around the base of the plants. Work in if you are sure there are no surface roots that could be damaged, or spread and cover with mulch and let the earthworms work it into the soil for you. Young roses are likely to be spindly. They need to establish themselves and grow a good root system first, then the bigger stronger canes emerge. You may not see really big mature canes until the plants third year in the ground. A little patience will yield good things. |
RE: Faster Growth-Basil Breaks
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| What hoovb said. You won't get thick, sturdy canes for a couple of years, depending on the variety. And basal breaks won't come until there is a good root system under the plant to support more growth, which takes a few years. Plain old alfalfa meal will help. |
RE: Faster Growth-Basil Breaks
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| I also use alfalfa meal with great results, but be sure to water it in well before you cover it with mulch or even if you don't. Otherwise it will form into dry clumps and that doesn't help the roses. I do this for several waterings after fertilizing and can usually see new growth and basal canes forming in a week to ten days. |
RE: Faster Growth-Basil Breaks
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| How much alfalfa pellets should I use per plant? |
RE: Faster Growth-Basil Breaks
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| The fastest way to grow a big plant is to diligently disbud the plant, so it puts all its growth into growing leaves and roots. It also helps clear all the weeds and tree roots from the area. |
RE: Faster Growth-Basil Breaks
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| Re: How much alfalfa pellets should I use per plant? That varies for the size of the plant. If they're truly spindly 1st year planted bare-roots...I'd take a handful or 2 per plant in an area around the drip line. I tend to be heavy handed, but I don't think that much would hurt. Alfalfa really works. |
RE: Faster Growth-Basil Breaks
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| I know most don't like making the tea - I don't mind it and don't find it offensive. But if you want tea without the harsh aroma try http://www.manuretea.com/ one bag to a 5 gallon container and you will have tea in a few days without the mess or smell. I have been using her horse and cow tea - great for the whole garden! Or like everyone said try the pellets or meal. Here it has been raining so the perfect time to have put the pellets around plants. Good Luck :) |
RE: Faster Growth-Basil Breaks
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| I use one cup of alfalfa for a small rose, two for a large one, twice a year. |
RE: Faster Growth-Basil Breaks
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- Posted by jenn SoCal 9/19 (My Page) on
Sat, Aug 25, 12 at 22:37
| Our roses never looked better than the year I spread alfalfa pellets around them. |
RE: Faster Growth-Basil Breaks
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| I just put alfalfa pellets down in anticipation of us getting a lot of rain from Issac this week. I do love what alfalfa does for the roses, mostly for what it does to the soil. However, I do think the key to basal breaks is to have the sun directly on the base of a rose. So when you do your pruning next spring or late winter, remove some of the bottom branches from the roses to allow the sun to hit them. Of course feed and water regularly too. |
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