Gardening Charlotte

12 Tips to grow miniature roses inside

Have you seen miniature roses on sale during winter and passed them by because someone told you they can’t be grown inside? Not only can they be grown inside over winter but they will grow and be ready for blooming outside as soon as the danger of frost is over.

Of all roses, miniature roses are the easiest, and most versatile, to grow. They will do well in pots as well as the garden; are disease and pest resistant shrubs, are long-lasting blooms and are edible so I can add a little flower to garnish a plate and dessert.

12 Tips to Grow Miniature Roses Inside

1. Growers place several plants together in the smallest pots possible when selling miniature roses wholesale. When you get or buy one, find a pot that is the next size, preferably at least longer than the pot the miniature rose came in. Miniature rose roots need room to grow.

2. If you want to get several plants, you can separate the ones grouped in the original pot.

3. Before planting, add broken pots or about an inch of broken shards at the bottom to help with drainage.

4. After adding about an inch of new potting soil, I also add a banana peel and crushed dry egg shells, then fill the pot up half full. Spray the soil with water.

5. Add the miniature rose, then fill around it with more potting soil. Press soil gently to pack it around the roots. Spray lightly again.

6. Cut off all flowers and buds so the plant’s energy goes into settling into their new pot. If you want to keep one to enjoy that’s ok, it will be our little secret.

7. Add a saucer under the pot and place it in a sunny southern or western window. Expect some leaves and buds to fall off before the plant settles into its new growing pot.

8. Keep the miniature rose on the drier side, winter over-watering is the leading cause of killing off the plant. I keep it moist with a spray bottle every other day. Before spraying, I slip a finger into the soil to test soil moisture so that I am not getting the soil too wet.

9. This is 3 weeks after I first brought the miniature rose on sale home. New leaves are growing nicely and the soil has remained on the dry side.

10 Start with new potting soil and add compost or worm castings if you have access to any. Roses are “heavy feeders,” which means they require a lot of soil nutrients to successfully grow.

11. Use one fourth of the recommended soluble fertilizer when you water with the spray bottle. Foliar feeding will help get nutrients into the plant but make sure to dry if the leaves remain wet after about 10 minutes. Wet leaves can encourage pests and diseases.

12. Check the miniature roses regularly to make sure they are doing ok. I check mine daily; look under the leaves for any bugs; check the moisture in the soil; enjoy that one little rose you left on.

Charlotte Ekker Wiggins is a beekeeper, gardener and sometimes cook. Published by El Dorado Springs Sun once in print and online with author’s permission. Copyright 2017, all rights reserved. This column may not be reprinted, republished or otherwise distributed without author’s permission. Contact Charlotte at gardeningcharlotte@gmail.com.

SURE SIGN OF BONDING – GC sure One sure sign your miniature rose is settling into its new pot, new leaves sprouting. Add a banana peel and crushed dry egg shells in the bottom of the pot to help feed the roots. (Photos by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins).

WINDOW DRESSING – This peach miniature rose is now keeping Miriam, my winter tomato plant, company in one of my sunny bay windows. You can grow miniature roses inside and have them ready for planting outside in May when there is no danger of frost.