Garden

[plumtree9]

what can I do to get my rose bush to bloom?

[Kachina624]

Does it get a lot of sun? That's the first requirement.

[ennui1]

Fertilize it? Prune it, feed it, give it LOTS of sun.

[JustJazzmom]

As kachina said-- at least 6 hours of full sun (doesn't need to be continuous 6 hours). When the rose leafs out in the beginning of spring-- give it a good granular rose food. I recommend Espoma Rose Tone. Sprinkle a half cup around the base of the plant and scratch it into the soil. Next get some Epsom salts and do the same thing with a half cup around the base of the plant. Do it in April (in NY Zone 7) and again in July. Epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate and roses are heavy magnesium feeders.

The Rose food should be done monthly during the growing season for your rose. That means --April, May, June, July and August where I am. Stop feeding roses in September (no food in September) this signals to the rose to start storing food for the winter and going dormant.

If the rose was planted last year, it could be setting down roots so this year, your rose will start putting out more blooms. By the 3rd year, the rose should have reached maturity and be well established in your garden.

Roses do well in pH's between 6.6 and 6.8. If the pH is incorrect (again get a pH test done on the soil), the rose cannot access the fertilizer you put down. Always get a pH test done if planting in a new area or when planting any shrubs where maybe a lawn was located.

pH requirements differ for various plants.