Miniature roses have gained in popularity in the last several years. And growing them yourselves may not be that hard. Today, miniature rose varieties come in the form of a small bush that is twiggy, repeat-flowering and the shrubs range in height from six inches to 36 inches in height. Most miniature shrubs come in a size that averages between 12 inches to 24 inches.
Here are some tips on how to plant and care for them:
The floral industry quite often markets and sells miniature rose bushes as houseplants, but it is essential to keep in mind that these plants are most often descended from the bigger outdoor shrubs that are native to more temperate regions. This is why most varieties of miniature roses have to have an annual period of cold dormancy to survive from year to year.
Choosing and preparing the pot
Clean the rose container out well. Place a layer of 3/4-inch gravel in the bottom to help provide the drainage area.
When planting miniature container roses, for the soil in the container, I use a good bagged garden soil for outdoor use. Use a mix that allows for good root system growth and good drainage.
Growing miniature roses is much easier than planting a bush outdoors because they simply need a small container that can be placed on the patio or indoors. Miniature roses need to have adequate drainage to make sure the foliage and roots can dry out in between watering.
Watering the miniature roses
Remember to try and water your rose from underneath, rather than spraying it on the leaves. If you have to water like this, do so when there is no direct sunlight shining on the leaves. Water that remains on the leaves in direct sunlight heats up the plant too much and can lead to sunburn of the foliage.
Pests and diseases
The miniature varieties can also suffer from the same pests and diseases, so prevention from them is essential. Aphids can be even more devastating to the miniature bushes because they are smaller and can be weakened far easier than the full-sized varieties.
Caring for these roses is much the same as caring for a larger variety. They benefit from the use of bone meal and compost. Also similar to the larger rose varieties, the miniatures need to have around four to six hours in direct sunlight.
