Operation Rose Rescue

Two planters I recently did for co-workers

Did you receive a potted miniature rose for Valentine’s Day? Perhaps it’s starting to look a little sad. I’m going to let you in on a secret, something I learned when working at a commercial greenhouse during high school. If it’s a 4 inch pot, there are at least 3-4 plants in it. It’s a standard trick used to make a pot look full, but roses like their space. So if the flowers never really opened or leaves are dropping like crazy, it’s very likely the plants are root-bound and suffering from being too close to each other.

There are a couple of options for rescuing your poor babies. Either way, the roses will need to be removed from the pot and separated. They may have thorns. Make sure you wear gloves. Examine the base of the plants just above the soil. You should be able to find the main stem for each. Grasp 2 plants opposite from each other and pull apart. If the root ball is really stubborn use a sharp knife to cut it into thirds or quarters depending on the number of plants. There should be a decent size root ball for each plant. Transplant shock will be minimized when the plants have good support. There is one other thing that must be done to make the transition easier. Remove all the flowers, no matter their condition. Find the first leaf cluster below the rose that has 5 leaves and make an angular cut just above that node. Or cut about 2 inches down from the flower, again above a node, if most of the leaves are gone. Removing the tops of the plants will do 2 things. Since it isn’t putting its energy into the flowers it will survive transplanting better, and it will convert that energy into new growth.

Miniature roses can be treated much like their large sisters. They are perfectly happy when planted outside. Choose an area where they get 6-8 hrs. of sunlight and prepare their new home with plenty of organic matter. To help them get established make sure they are watered well, but don’t leave them constantly wet. Many roses can also be container grown, minis being especially well suited due to size. You could put each in its own pot or a planter that’s large enough to spread them out. If you do a planter, I recommend one large enough for 3 plants. For some reason odd numbers are more appealing to the human eye. There are soils formulated specifically for roses or blooming plants, but when it’s available I prefer organic potting soil. Water well after the plants are in the soil.

Regulating water for potted roses is crucial for success. Water deeply so that it drains from the bottom of the planter. A thorough watering will help establish stronger, deeper roots. However, don’t water all the time. Unless they are from a bog or swamp most plants don’t like to be constantly wet. When temps are more moderate, once a week is probably fine. Hotter weather will require more frequent watering. But do the plants a favor first. Put a finger down into the soil as far as you can. If you feel moisture, wait a day or two and check again. While watering, whether ground or container, keep moisture off the foliage. It will help prevent the spread of disease.

For long term health of your roses there is one other thing that must be done. Keep dropped leaves away from them. It’s breeding habit for insects and the funguses that can devastate your roses. That includes clearing way the dead stuff that fell into the original pot. Since you are taking the trouble to transplant, start with a clean slate.

The roses may look a bit scraggly when first transplanted. However, a little care will go a long way toward making them beautiful again. Just be patient. And once they start blooming again make sure to deadhead the spent flowers. It will help promote repeat blooming. Just stop cutting off the flowers when the weather gets colder. Leaving the last fall flowers on your roses helps them go dormant for winter.

By rescuing your minis from their store pot you should be able to extend your enjoyment of them. And you have a bonus rose to give as a gift later, if you do a planter of 3. Getting it established in a pot now means a rose which could be blooming by an important holiday that’s now just over 2 months away. Mother’s Day…

The Project Queen

They look a little pathetic now, but with care and patience they will grow and bloom again.

 If the flowers are still pretty when you do the transplant, there is no reason not to enjoy them a little longer. Just do an old-fashioned rose bowl arrangement.