I have several small Bourbons of the Souvenir de la Malmaison clan, also Mme. Dore and Romaggi Plot Bourbon, and they don't require any special attention. I haven't even fertilized them this year, and the only thing that stresses them is heat and lack of rain. I've heard and read that the HP's like a rich diet, being lusty bushes with big blooms, so once they're in the ground a good organic rose food would probably be of benefit, and I'm sure the Bourbons would like that too.

Ingrid

Reading Victorian and Edwardian era rose texts, roses were described as "gross feeders". Own root, I'd imagine their preferences would be as varied as any other class, but you can be sure that huge, many petaled flowers on largish, semi climbing plants are going to require more food and water than "bush" types with fewer petals. Hmm, sounds a lot like many of the larger English roses, doesn't it? I can't provide you with personal information about what makes them happiest because in my soils and climates, in which I have attempted the ones I've tried, very few were anything approaching what you might call "happy". That's why the ones which have hung around as long as they have here, are still here. They don't require much different from the "norm."

Many grew rather well at Limberlost Roses, the Old Rose specialty nursery which was in Van Nuys, Ca. The vast majority were budded on either multiflora from Canada, or Huey from American sources and all were potted in Bandini 102 potting soil. I just tried searching to see if that soil was still around and found the name owned by Spectrum Brands, a huge owner of many products we all know. Interesting. KIm

I grow one Bourbon and 2 HPs--in the same soil and with the same care that all my other roses get. They seem to do OK.

Kate

Kim, what was Bandini 102 potting soil? Sounds radioactive.....
Susan

I suspect the 19th c grower saw all repeating roses as "gross feeders" compared to once-bloomers and perennials. As Kim suggested, yours probably don't have requirements different from other fairly vigorous repeating roses.

Thanks everyone for the help, I appreciate it. I guess I'll just have to let Docteur Jamain go and move on with my life...hehe

Thanks again!