Can I keep miniature roses indoors?
Answer
Miniature roses can be grown indoors with some effort. Here are some suggestions:
The most important requirement is to provide adequate light. Roses need at least 6 hours a day of direct sunlight. A south-facing window is suitable if it gets that much light. If such a location is not available then using fluorescent lights is an alternative but they have to be left on for 6 – 8 hours a day.
Rose are fairly flexible in terms of temperature but 60-70° is ideal with lower temperature at night. The plants will go dormant if the temperature falls below 40° for some time.
Roses grown in pots should be watered every other day or even every day if the soil drains rapidly.
Roses require a humid atmosphere so sit the pot on a bed of pebbles with a layer of water underneath or use a humidity tray (which can be purchased in many nurseries or on-line).
Dead-head the flowers once they have faded. Use a sterile sharp pruning tool.
Fertilize the plants with a soluble rose fertilizer once a month.
As the plant gets older it will need pruning. Remove any dead branches and any crossing branches. It can also be cut back severely after flowering to encourage new growth. Older plants will also benefit from re-potting.
Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service
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