Passion For Roses & Meticulous Quality

Internationally renowned rose specialist Fryer's of Knutsford refuses to remain complacent, constantly striving to deliver meticulous quality has led to a complete review of its growing media and fertilizer programme.
 

	Dean Sandford shows the excellent root structure of Fryer’s rose crop, thanks to the new Levington growing media and fertilizer regime.

Nursery manager Dean Sandford oversees the production of over 30,000 containerised roses a year and is also closely involved in the company’s in-house breeding programme, which can take five to ten years to develop a new rose cultivar.  

Fryer’s passion for roses is equaled by its commitment to meticulous quality.  In 2007 in a bid to further improve root growth and consistency of growth, Dean Sandford began trials reviewing the nursery’s growing media and controlled release fertilizer programme. 

“There were a couple of areas in particular where I felt there was room for improvement  – namely by improving rooting and the consistency of growth,” he explains.  “In the past we had experienced some problems with some flash release and un-even growth."

Trials using Levington Containerised Nursery Stock (CNS) mix and Osmocote controlled release fertilizer delivered significantly better results. As of this year all 30,000 rose bare root cuttings have been grown in 5.5 litre pots using this CNS general mix and incorporating Osmocote Exact Standard 12/24 month at a rate of 4kgs per m3.
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"The superior structure of this growing media has produced much better root growth,” says Dean Sandford.  “The Osmocote Exact is mixed in before potting and provides long term feeding releasing nutrients that match the plants’ requirements.   The precise release pattern has resulted in noticeably better consistence in growth of different varieties, while also promoting earlier maturity and given a better grade out of plants.”

Established by Arthur Fryer in 1912, the breeding company was one of the first recipients of the Queen Mother’s International Rose Award, recognizing outstanding achievements in raising new cultivars, Fryer’s has also won several gold medals at Chelsea and the Hampton Court Flower Show.

Alongside its thriving mail order business, Fryer’s has its own Garden Centre near Tatton Park, which has earned a reputation as one of the finest in the North West of England.   It remains a family business and is run by Managing Director, Gareth Fryer, a grandson of the founder.