Rose and Honeysuckle in pots

flowerbomb21

Hi

I am unsure what to add to the compost for these plants or which of the following items would be best suited for the job. I have bonemeal. blood fish and bone and chicken manure pellets. Also, I have some rose grow which says on pack it is suitable for all shrubs. As well as those things I also have the slow release fertiliser. Can somebody please advise me what to use as I really don't know which is best.

Many thanks

Fairygirl

While there are certainly roses which grow well in containers, honeysuckle isn't suitable for pot culture. They need to be in the ground to thrive.
A lot will depend on the age and maturity of your rose. I don't grow them, but someone will be able to help with that. In pots, any plant needs more attention and nutrition though. 
Generally speaking, Bonemeal is largely for root development, B,F&B is a general slow release food suitable for virtually everything, and both of those are all that most shrubs need, assuming the soil is in decent condition,  fed once in spring, and on initial planting. Chicken manure is similar, but tends to be more alkaline.
Anything flowering needs potash to promote those flowers, so that makes the difference between things like a specialist rose food, or a tomato food, and those first three   

flowerbomb21

Hi FG

Thank you for your advice, very helpful as always. Both plants are compact. The rose is a patio clemantine and the HS is one I have had before called rhubarb and custard which sadly died on me. I felt it could have been due to not watering enough. Now I try to soak my potted plants in a bucket of water every week or so. What would you use plz FG? I don't have a garden anymore (long story) just a balcony so it has to be just pots unfortunately. Its an outside space that I am grateful for but I do miss my garden .

Fairygirl

I don't grow roses I'm afraid as I don't like them, so I can't advise on that.
I think you'd be better forgetting about a honeysuckle. Just not possible in the situation you have. There are loads of clematis which will be happy in containers though.
Pots and a balcony are even harder than at ground level. They're more likely to dry out due to wind as well as exposure and sun. You may need to adopt the 'saucer under the pot' to keep them hydrated. Once pots dry out, it can be tricky to rehydrate them because water just runs through. You have to plunge them into another container, or use the saucer, water , and then let them soak up the water that runs into that. 
A good soil based medium will also be necessary for any climber, and your rose may benefit from well rotted manure too. Don't be tempted to just use compost. That isn't any good for long term planting. Some of the clematis which flower in spring are better suited to lighter soils and drier conditions. Look at alpinas and macropetalas. Koreanas are also suited to that, but they definitely need drier conditions. I can't grow them here at all, no matter how much I protect them in terms of the site. It's just too wet for them. 

Pianoplayer

Hi - for your rose, I would use slow release feed in March and July, and liquid food such as tomato food every week/two weeks while it is flowering.

As Fairgirl says, important to use a loam-based mixture to support long-term growth in pots, not just multi-purpose compost.

I think the Rhubarb and Custard honeysuckle is very compact, so will be OK in a large pot - I would use the same slow release feed twice a year, loam-based medium.

As you've discovered, water is the most important thing! Even if it rains buckets, pots still need watering. I hope you enjoy your balcony pots!

Fairygirl

I know the R&C is a smaller honeysuckle, but I think it will still be harder in that location to keep it happy - it will still want to get to a good size. It depends on the size of container, and also how keen @flowerbomb21 is to keep trying. 

flowerbomb21

I have the HS now so will give it a go and definitely do what you have both advised. The one plant I have never had any luck with is lavender! Be it in the ground, pot, anywhere and I was relentless and refused to give in but ...... nope .... lavender doesn't like me it never works and I don't know why? Oh well, there's plenty more plants so I will try not to take it too personally lol. Thanks very much guys, comments kindly appreciated.