Write an article based on this "Apply foliar feed to the leaves. Feed and water a container rose bush more regularly. Pull weeds that grow up around your rose bush."
Foliar feed is a liquid plant food that is sprayed directly onto the leaves. In addition to providing the plant with nutrients, it also helps protect against disease. Begin feeding your Midnight Blue rose bush as soon as it's established in the spring (about 3-4 weeks after planting, or as soon as you see new growth on an older plant). Feed it a couple more times during the growing season once after the first blooms form and then a final time around midsummer. Water your rose bush before giving it fertilizer. Do not give fertilizer to a thirsty plant. Follow the dosage guidelines on the product packaging. Excess doses can damage the plant. You can opt to sprinkle a slow-release granule feed on top of the soil instead. The nutrients will be taken down to the roots the next few times you water the plant. Give container roses a feeding every 2-3 weeks through the spring and summer with a foliar feed or granule feed. Check the top inch of soil for moisture several times a week, and if it feels dry, saturate the soil with water. Ensure good drainage by putting the container up on feet. A layer of gravel at the bottom of the container can also help with drainage. If the rose outgrows the container it will need to be repotted into a larger one. Look for matted roots at the surface of the soil or roots growing out through the drainage holes. Consider hand-pulling the weeds, as this is the gentlest and safest way to remove weeds without damaging your rose bush. You can also put mulch down around your plant to help stop weed growth. Try to avoid hoeing weeds around your roses, as rose roots tend to be close to the soil surface and can be damaged by the hoe. Avoid chemical weed killers as well, since these can also harm your rose bush.