Miniature Rose Culture

Miniature roses are beautiful, easy to grow, winter hardy, and very rewarding.

Upon Arrival

Your minis will arrive in 4 inch pots ready for transplanting. We generally recommend spring or summer planting no later than July up north. Planting in spring or early summer allows the plant to become established and the roots to expand in their new home so they can sustain the plant over the winter. We do ship year round for those who grow indoors, under lights, or in a greenhouse.

Unwrap your plants and water immediately, if necessary. As a result of being in the dark box for a few days, they may show some yellowing or loss of leaves. This is not serious, and the plant will soon put out new growth.

Location

A sunny location is important for successful miniature rose culture. Select a site with a least a half-day of direct sunlight. (Full sun is just fine, too!) The soil should contain plenty of organic matter and should drain well. You can add peat moss, compost, sand or perlite to amend the soil as necessary.

Planting Outdoors

The plants may be planted directly into the ground in southern areas where there is little danger of a hard freeze or, better yet, they can be potted up into 8-10 inch pots right away.

In Containers

The plants you receive from the nursery are ready to be planted in larger containers. Plastic pots or glazed ceramic pottery with drainage holes are ideal containers. A pot of about six inches in both diameter and depth will provide plenty of root room for at least a year. We recommend a good soil mixture consisting of one part pasteurized soil, one part peat moss or other humus, and one part perlite.

In Ground

Dig a nice hole, at least a foot in depth and width. If the ground is too hard for your spade, you know that the roots will have difficulty, too. In this case you may want to dig a little wider and deeper, creating a large area of loose soil for the roots to grow in. A little extra effort now will bring great dividends later. Take your mini out of its pot and insert both of your thumbs into the bottom of the rootball, gently tearing the roots apart. Spread the roots downward in the hole. Refill the hole so that the mini is planted at the same level as it was in the pot. Water very thoroughly to "puddle in", so that the soil fills all the nooks and crannies around the roots and eliminates air pockets.

Watering

Minis like lots of water - never allow the soil to dry out. Water your new plant every sunny day for the first three weeks after planting, to help the roots adjust to their new environment. After this initial period water thoroughly at least once a week unless Mother Nature has provided.

Fertilizing

A good balanced fertilizer, applied according to directions will help your minis grow fast and strong. Peters Professional ®, RapidGro ®, Miracle Gro ®, etc., are all good fertilizers. The two main types of fertilizers are: granular, which should be scratched into the top layer of soil; and soluble, which is dissolved in water and then applied. Both types do a good job, so choose the method that's easiest for you.

Fertilizer isn't a cure-all remedy. It provides nutrients, but a plant can only use those nutrients when it is actively photosynthesizing. Too much fertilizer will burn the roots. So if your plant has just lost all its leaves, fertilizer will hurt more than it will help. Fertilizers should be applied only to healthy plants. The last fertilizer should be applied about six weeks before the first frost usually occurs in your area.

Insects and Diseases

Even though your minis are insect- and disease-free when you receive them from the nursery, it is desirable to set up a preventative spraying program. Diseases are easier to prevent than to cure.

A good all-purpose spray is Ortho's Orthenex, which contains a fungicide, a miticide, and a pesticide. An application every 7- to 10 days with this product should keep your minis pest- and disease-free all season. When spraying, coat the undersides of the leaves as well as the upper sides. Remember to treat garden chemicals with respect and always follow the directions on the label.

Pruning

Pruning can and should be done at any time to shape the plant or remove spent blooms. When cutting flowers or removing spent blooms, cut the cane just above a five-leaflet leaf. Removing spent blooms and cutting flowers will encourage the plant to produce even more blooms. After the first year spring pruning consists of cutting away dead canes and spindly wood.

Winter Protection

Miniature roses are naturally hardy because they're grown on their own roots rather than having been budded like large roses. In winter, cover the plants with a loose mulch such as wood chips, hay, or evergreen boughs. You can use whatever is available in your area, just as long as you protect the roots. In extremely cold areas the mulch should be deeper than it needs to be in milder climates. Generally, no winter protection is needed in the Southern states.

Click here for information on to protect your miniature roses from Old Man Winter.

Indoor Culture

It is easier to grow miniature roses outdoors, where Mother Nature helps with the watering and provides the maximum intensity of light. That aside, it is possible to grow lovely miniatures inside, if you have sufficient light and are willing to expend some extra effort in caring for them. A south facing window with at least six hours of direct sunlight is necessary. For houses or apartments without southern exposures fluorescent lighting can replace the need for direct sunshine. The tops of the plants should be just two to four inches from the fluorescent lights, which should be left on 16 hours per day.

Potting

The plants you receive from the nursery are ready to be planted in larger containers. Plastic pots or glazed ceramic pottery with drainage holes are ideal containers for indoor growing. A pot of about six inches in both diameter and depth will provide plenty of root room for at least a year. We recommend a good soil mixture consisting of one part pasteurized soil, one part peat moss or other humus, and one part perlite.

Watering

Plants should be kept moist, which probably means daily watering in the summer. In the winter, however, you may have to water seldom as once a week, depending on temperatures. In the winter you should be careful not to overwater. Think "moist."

Temperature

Normal room temperatures between 65 degrees F and 75 degrees F are ideal for growing minis.

Dormancy Period

Up north it's easy to give miniature roses a brief dormancy period so they can rest up for awhile. At our old home in Massachusetts, we set our plants out in mid-September so they get used to the declining temperatures. After a few light freezes we bring them back inside in mid-November. The minis, rejuvenated, think it's spring and are ready to burst forth with a new set of flowers by January. Down South, dormancy can be forced by cutting back the plants in December or January.

Indoor Varieties

Many people select micro-minis as indoor plants because of the compact growing habit and abundance of flowers. Livewire, Red Minimo, and Chasin' Rainbows are excellent choices for beginners.