By Ron King
Indoors or out, you’ll find miniature roses very easy to grow.These little guys sometimes get overlooked because they give offlittle fragrance, yet they can be the perfect visual accent toany home or garden.
Compared to their full-sized cousins, miniature roses arepractically maintenance-free. Just give them a "bath" once aweek, and they'll last forever.
Small is Comparative
A common misconception about miniature roses is they will makeideal houseplants. Before moving them indoors, realize thatminiature roses can grow up to 4 feet in height. This largehouseplant will need a very generous source of light. Themicro-mini roses, however, only grow to about 5 inches tall andare just as easy to maintain.
If you're determined to have miniature roses indoors, there areseveral tips that will make caring for them easier.
Planting Indoors
Place your plant in direct sunlight. They flourish in thesunniest windows of your home. If the stems appear to stretchout, leaving wide gaps between the leaves, your rose is notgetting enough light. Either move the plant to a new location orprovide supplemental light.
Make sure to bathe your plant weekly. Spraying will reduce therisk of a spider-mite attack. Gently mist the tops andundersides of the leaves. The spray also removes dust.
Make sure that your plant looks comfortable in its pot. If thepot is too small, the plant will be cramped. If too large, yourroses will be reluctant to grow.
Planting Outdoors
Outdoors, most miniature roses bloom from spring until thewinter. If covered with mulch, it will have a good chance ofsurviving frost and cold winters. You can plant your rosesdirectly into the ground, a hanging basket, or in an 8 to 10inch pot. Make sure your plant isn't shaded by large trees oranything that will cast a shadow. These little plants lovedirect sunlight.
If you choose to plant your roses directly into the ground, diga hole about 1 foot in depth and diameter. Take your rose out ofits pot and gently untangle any loose roots. Place the rootsdown into the hole. Refill the hole with loose soil, so thatyour miniature roses are level with the top of the ground. Wateryour plant thoroughly. These same rules apply to potting yourplant.
Water Faithfully
Don't let the soil dry out. The first 3 weeks are crucial to anyplant's health. Water every day for those 3 weeks. These rosesdo enjoy their water! After the 3-week period is over, your goalis to just keep their soil moist. Check the soil daily -- If itfeels dry, give it a little water.
Miniature roses will look great in your living room, along theedges of your flower beds, or anywhere your home or garden needsa little burst of color.
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