Roses release large doses of flowers when fed fruit peel - it 'supports' prolific growth

As sustainable gardening trends gain momentum, more and more green-thumbed enthusiasts are turning to their kitchens for plant feed.

Discarded products, such as coffee grains and banana peels, are being planted around garden beds in a bid to vitalise plants.

In a conversation with GB News, gardening expert Fiona Jenkins endorsed the movement, explaining that it can prove helpful in strengthening root systems.

“To strengthen your plant, you can use potassium-rich feeds such as Tomorite and your old banana peels into the soil near the plant,” she explained. “Do this at the beginning of spring to support growth.”

Placing one or two peels at the base of each rose shrub will give the plants enough potassium to turbocharge their growth over the summer.

The peels will eventually rot down into the soil and encourage the shrubs to release large doses of flowers.

For gardeners with established rose shrubs, the end of winter presents a window of opportunity to multiply their rose count, the expert added.

“If you want to increase the number of plants you’re growing, now is a good time to take some hardwood cuttings,” she said.

“These can be grown directly in the ground or in a container. To do this, you’ll need to select a healthy green stem with some buds on it.”

Fiona also pointed out that pruning plants is another guaranteed way to boost "the health of roses and encourage new growth."

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Pruning may differ for each variety of rose, with certain species in greater need of a trim.

“Hybrid tea roses benefit from being pruned down close to the base, so you’re left with around five buds on each stem," explained Fiona.

“For a climber, you can prune long, weedy-looking stems and tie promising shoots to your support structure.

“For patio and miniature roses, simply take out the old, unproductive wood, to give new shoots more room to grow and lightly prune to shape your plant."