Sunlight: Roses need sunlight, in northern parts of the country that means at least 6 hours per day and in southern zones at least 4 hours. The best blooms will come with more sunlight. Compost/Fertilizer: Roses need nutrients available in the soil to produce flowers. Top dressing with compost or dried aged manure each spring is good for producing blooms. Rose fertilizer given several times per season is another way to insure that your plants will bloom. Rose fertilizer generally has a higher Phosphorus content versus Nitrogen and Potassium. White Flower Farm’s All-Bloom Fertilizer is an excellent Rose fertilizer. Water: If you do not receive rain during the growing season it is important to water the plants thoroughly to keep them hydrated.