Iron fertilizers?

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Posted by jim1961 6a Central Pa. (My Page) on

Thu, May 29, 14 at 18:18

Hi all,

Here in Central Pa we had a cool May. It did get warm into the high 70's-80's for a few days but back to cool rainy weather again.

I have some roses that look like they are showing iron deficiencies. (Yellowing with Green Veins on the newer leaves) The soil PH is around 6.6-6.7... The mulch is 1" deep or less underneath and around the rose bush.
We have clayish soil so I'm guessing its coming from the soil being to wet or cold or combination.

So should I use a Chelated iron product?

I was wondering if anyone ever used (Espoma) Iron -Tone???
Wonder if that formula would even work for me in my situation?
How long does it take to work?

Since my other nutrients are good in my soil I probably should just use a Iron product without the other added nutrients???

What you all think???

Carefree Sunshine Rose has the worse problem... I have another Carefree Sunshine planted 6ft away from this one and its leaves are green.
Other roses in the backyard showing slight signs of deficiency...

This post was edited by jim1961 on Thu, May 29, 14 at 20:18

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RE: Iron fertilizers?

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Posted by michaelg 7a NC Mts (My Page) on
Fri, May 30, 14 at 10:05

Hi Jim. That is certainly iron deficiency, but if you are sure the pH is on the acid side, it is probably caused by waterlogging and cool soil. Some of my roses have shown it at pH 6.8 in the spring. My Carefree Sunshine has not, but it is in a fast-draining location. One thought--you might raise the soil around these plants a few inches to improve drainage.

The Espoma product is a slow-acting mixture of sulfur and iron oxides. You might get as much benefit from sulfur alone. I would choose a product that is soluble. Mike_Rivers used to recommend mulching with 2 oz iron sulfate granules mixed with 1 gallon moist, fully made compost. The humus is a chelating agent. Put this under the regular mulch.

RE: Iron fertilizers?

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Posted by kidhorn 7a MD (My Page) on
Fri, May 30, 14 at 10:42

I would think your soil in central PA has plenty of iron. Is the soil red or brown?

If the soil is high in aluminum, this can cause an iron deficiency.

RE: Iron fertilizers?

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Posted by jim1961 6a Central Pa. (My Page) on
Fri, May 30, 14 at 17:07

Kidhorn, our soil probably does have enough iron BUT the waterlogging and cooler soil is not allowing the plant to use it at the present time.

Thanks for the suggestions MichaelG much appreciated...

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