i would not fertilize recently transplanted rooting.. until early summer ...

you said: I'm feeling this isn't the hobby for the impatient! I'd like to see more than just little sticks by fall.

==>> you are correct.. and if you overdo it with fertilizers.. you will end up killing a lot of stuff ... not only by volume.. but also by bad timing ...

for some zen .. you have to start to understand.. that what you want its MATURE SHAPE ... and ONLY time will lead to such .. and food .. does NOT quicken maturity ...

if you fert to early.. in z5.. and your plants bolt.. and with the potential for frost/freeze thru near 6/1 in z5 .. things bolting .... can die in late frost/freeze ..

try to relax..

ken

ps: its like you are saying your 3 year old.. doenst look like a high school senior ... and if you just fed him extra.. he will look 15 years older ... it doesnt work that way ...

Thank you. I'll wait until the summer before thinking about a fertilizer (or not). I'll have to see how they are doing and just keep shopping at the nurseries for larger specimens :)

My mini roses seem to be dying. I have had them inside & have fed them Miracle gro several times. They also seem to have white stuff on some leaves & some leaves are shiny. What does this sound like & what should I do?
Cheryl

hey Cheryl.. you ought to do your own post.. since your rose question really isnt related to this topic

you might find the rose forum..

and post a pic also ... in your new post

ken