Plant and gardening discussions, questions and comments

	Search Posts		Posts By Category		Recent Posts

Questions, Answers and Comments by Category

My HMF:

☐ POST COMMENT

Discussion id : 27-795 most recent 26 JUN 08 HIDE POSTS

Initial post 26 JUN 08 by Misty

I have unintentionally placed rose bushes directly in front of my foundation vents and the need has arisen to place specail barriers in front of these vents to control a water problem in my foundation. In order to place the barriers I need to dig around the roses but I'm worried about the tap root. Does it grow straight down or sideways? How can I dig around them safely without killing them?	REPLY

Discussion id : 11-313 most recent 24 FEB 06 HIDE POSTS

Initial post 23 FEB 06 by Krissie

I recently got a Minature Rose Bush. I am college student living in a dorm, trying to keep my plant alive. The only "real" light access I have is a window at one side of the room. The only problem is that beneath the window is a metal heater (one of the wall ones...). Since it's winter here (Ohio), there are not many opportunities to take my little plant outside. I try to keep it on the edge of my desk so it's closer to the window (for light), but not as close to the window sill would be (because of the heater... I don't want to fry the poor thing...). Does anyone have any suggestions of what I could do to keep my bush alive? About 1/3 of the buds/stems/leaves dried up within the first week I had it... (almost as if half the plant wasn't connected to the other half... which seemed strange...) I have pruned off the dead stuff, and I am being careful about watering, because when it first started dying, I think I overwatered it... but I am doing better about that now... Will using a desk lamp help give it the light it needs, or is that silly?
Also, I am going home (still in Ohio) for in about a week and a half... if I was to plant it outside when I get home, is it too cold to survive a transplant? Should I transplant it at all? I know that these bushes like lots of sunlight and plenty of water (but not too much). But if possible, I'd like to keep it with me here at school... I suppose first and foremost, I want it to surivive though.
Any advice would be wonderful. Thanks...
Krissie

Reply #1 of 1 posted 24 FEB 06 by Wendy C

Hi Krissie,

The desk lamp is an inspired idea. Go to a pet store and purchase a 'UV' bulb. You can find them in the Lizard section. They are a bit pricey..but the rose will not do well with a regular light bulb, it needs the UV the sun provides. There are bulbs which will fit in your desk lamp, it might take a bit of looking..so don't give up.

Many minis are grown on their own roots, with multiple rooted canes placed in the same pot. So if part of the plant died, it well could have been separate from the rest.

Keep your mini evenly moist. Don't over water it. Roses don't like wet feet. The roots will rot if they are kept wet. Water it well once a week in a sink or saucer from the bottom up. Set it in the water for an hour or so, then remove it from the water. Being winter it might require watering twice a week as the air is dry. If you over water the lower leaves will turn yellow and drop.

If you have a little spray bottle, the rose would appreciate a mist once or twice a day. This will also keep spider mites from making camp in your rose. Pesky little creatures who can harm the bush. Spray the base under the leaves..spider mites hate water, so you can take care of two things at once.

Good luck

Discussion id : 10-432 most recent 2 NOV 05 HIDE POSTS

Initial post 30 OCT 05 by Linda

I have a hope for humanity shrub rose, could you please tell me how to winterize it. i live in zone 5.	REPLY

Reply #1 of 1 posted 2 NOV 05 by Roger

I also live in zone 5a Peoria, IL The first part of December before the ground freezes I mound a little over a foot of fresh dirt and cover that with fresh straw. I cut the branches back to three feet. To protect them from the winter winds. rab_peoria@yahoo.com	REPLY

Discussion id : 10-335 most recent 24 FEB 06 SHOW ALL

Initial post 17 OCT 05 by Anja

I purchased a Canyon Cupido Rose from Meijers on Wed. I repotted, with Miracle Gro potting soil, in a larger container and it is sitting on my desk at work. The office has a wall of windows that lets in SW light, it shines right on my desk in the afternoon. I came in the office Mon. and all the blooms, some that had not even opened yet, were all brown and the little stems holding the blooms were also brown. Did I commit a miniture rose murder? I've cut all the little brown blooms off and I feel horrible. I've never owned a mini rose bush before. Is there any hope for this little guy? The leaves are still a healthy green.

Reply #1 of 4 posted 17 OCT 05 by Anonymous-797

Anja.........

"Rose murder"? strong words, but probably true. Roses are not indoor plants. Generally, they cannot survive indoors without grow lights and if you purchased a plant that was located indoors, it was probably half-dead at the time of purchase. In Europe, these small plants are considered throw-away plants and are used for decoration until they die.

If you live where you can put your rose outside, make sure it has good drainage and gets sunlight, it should come back just fine.

Smiles,

Lyn
helpmefind.com

Reply #2 of 4 posted 19 OCT 05 by Wendy C

I agree, murder is a bit strong.

While it is generally not an accepted practise, you can sucessfully grow miniture roses inside. My mother has several which are happy as can be.

Your rose would be happier outside. That said, I'm willing to bet your trouble is one of two things.

A. The rose has been over watered. Buds are the first to turn soggy and drop. Next the leaves will start turning yellow at the base of the plant. Roses like an even moisture and can't stand having wet feet. My best advise is to allow the plant to dry out between watering, and water from the bottom of the pot when you do water. Set it in a bowl and let it draw up the moisture it needs. This will also lower the risk of black spot and powdery mildew, common fungal problems with all roses.

B. The potting soil has fertilizer in it and may have burned the feeder roots, which would cause the buds to be sacrificed as well. Follow the watering instructions and don't feed your rose until it has bloomed. Since it was just repotted it could take a couple of months for it to bloom again, so be patient.

Keep a watch out for signs of spider mites, which can be troublesome with inside roses. Soft webs can be seen at the base of the bush. The leaves will look dried out and leathery. If you tap the leaf over a piece of white paper tiny specs will appear.
The good news is, spider mites hate water. If it becomes infested submerge the bush, upside down in water with a drop of dish soap. Repeat daily until the mites are gone, usually within a week.

Good luck

Reply #3 of 4 posted 23 FEB 06 by Maria

I am going to take your advise. My husband and daughter keep buying them for me and they keep dying. I have a green thumb and my patio is a jungle. But I love these roses. When I received my recent plant I could see it was wet, so I did not water. Then it started loosing leaves and the buds shriveled up. So my husband yelled at me to water it, and I knew better, but I love saying I told you so, unfortunately my rose bush will suffer. I will allow it to dry out and see what happens.

Reply #4 of 4 posted 24 FEB 06 by Wendy C

Next time he yells at you to water it, have him stick his finger in the soil. If it is soft and damp..tell him the rose is fine and to leave it be. smile I'm glad you didn't give up.	REPLY