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Organic Rose Growing

Alfalfa cubes with added salt

17 years ago

I have located a source of alfalfa at a horse feed store near me. I have not seen the product yey, but a telephone enquiry has revealed that the alfalfa feed contains added salt (but not sugar). Is this still useable for roses? Is it better than no alfalfa? Is there anything I can do to compensate for the added salt? My soil is slightly alkaline (7.5) and sandy. I have added planty of compost on planting and plan to top dress with horse manure and coconut coir mulch in a couple of months. My one-year old roses got a dose of 15-7-15 SRF on planting, as well as some iron and sulphur and the bare-roots only compost.

Could someone please advise on this type of alfalfa and how and when it should be used (if at all) in conjunction with the other things I am planning?

Many thanks

Joanna

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Comment (1)

oneontheway
17 years ago
I would suggest you pass on the alfalfa with salt. Salt must be leached from the soil (plants will not use it), but it does not readily leach. Salt will cause any earthworms to leave the area. Excess salts reduce plant growth and vigor. Some horse feeds have up to a 7% salt content. Perhaps the feed store can order alfalfa meal without the salt for you?

With good to great compost, you can skip the alfalfa, allowing the roses to take whatever nutrients they need from your compost rich soil.
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