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Mini Roses in the High Desert
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Posted by autumn_angel 8b CA (My Page) on Mon, Nov 14, 05 at 23:04
| I have a problem.
Yesterday, for my sixteenth birthday, I recieved a grocery-store bought pot of mini roses. I'd hate to see them die, and I was wondering if it would be possible to care for them.
My problem is that I live in the high desert. Hesperia, California, to be exact, located in the San Bernardino mountains. I'm not sure if my climate is suitable for mini roses to thrive in. The weather is nowhere near stable, being cold one day, hot the next, and windy in between. In the winter it can get down to freezing, and during the summer up to 110 degrees. Is it possible to grow minis in this kind of situation? Or are my roses doomed to fry? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Mini Roses in the High Desert
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| Hi, I think they will be alright. As long as you get them planted now, keep them well watered in the heat of summer, and fertilize monthly. Minis are tough roses and can survive pretty low temps. You may need to keep them on a spray program also-I noticed mine get powdery mildew at times. Just keep them watered and good luck! Also some good compost at planting wont hurt. Jen |
RE: Mini Roses in the High Desert
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| My sister lives in Las Vegas and has grown beautiful mini roses for years. The main thing is to plant them where they get morning sun and afternoon shade. (The Eastside of a house or building) Plant early Fall or Spring only and always water deeply and often after planting and durning the heat of summer. Use lots of mulch on the surface and amend your soil before planting to insure good drainage. The use of organic fertlize is also recommended because chemical fertilizers contain alot of salt and very difficult to leach out once it builds up in the root area of your plants. You will find that roses on their own roots (most mini roses are) are much hardier then roses that are grafted on rootstock. They may freeze to the ground or have their leaves burned, but as long as their roots are protected by a layer of mulch they will bounce back with no problem! Another thing to remember is to make sure you always let your hose run for awhile when its real hot before putting water down around your plants. The water coming out of the hose can be so hot that it will scald the your plants right down to the roots. A sure way to kill them instantly! |
RE: Mini Roses in the High Desert
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| Hi! I grow alot of minature roses in hot Arizona. I buy them from Trader Joes which has wonderful plants at good prices. I then transplant them into much larger pots using miracle gro potting soil. I keep them in the yard where they get a few hours of sun daily. I also water daily during the hot weather and feed with miracle gro. They grow and bloom very well and what few freezes we have had have not harmed them, but covering them to be extra safe is a good ideal. You might keep them on the patio, till they get used to being outside or till spring arrives. Good luck! I think you will be surprised at how beautiful these plants can be. |
RE: Mini Roses in the High Desert
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- Posted by janw az 9 (My Page) on
Fri, Nov 18, 05 at 17:15
| i agree I grow them here very well they tolerate all conditions here. I deadhead them and feed them with miracle grow rose food. mine came from walmart and the grocery and they are great right now I have 29. |
RE: Mini Roses in the High Desert
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| Hello, Thanks everyone, I found all of your tips very helpful. I have replanted the roses in an 8" clay pot - will that do? I can buy a bigger one, if needed. I used Miracle Grow potting soil; my ground soil is little more than dust. I live in an apartment which, luckily, has a tiny yard attached, but it faces west, not east. I'm sure that's all right, but exactly how much sun are minis supposed to get? I usually move them around to keep them in the light as much as possible. It seems to be growing well already. New leaves are forming, and I've got five buds, two opening right now. But the flower that was already there has dried and fallen apart, and another one that was just opening never fully bloomed at all, just died off. Is this normal? And what is a spray program? Can someone recommend a good one? There are odd little notches in a few of my leaves. Tiny holes, really, with brown edges, but again, I'm probably just being paranoid. My computer's been down, so I've gotten your advice a little late. I appreciate everything, though. Angel |
RE: Mini Roses in the High Desert
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| Autumn Angel it sounds like you are off to a good start with your rose. The 8 inch pot will work fine but in time it will need a bigger one. I have switched to plastic pots because the clay ones dry out so fast in our summers. This time of the year they can take full sun, but in the summer just try and get the morning sun. I never spray my roses. If they get aphids in the spring I just wash them off with the hose. They are pretty trouble free. It is normal for the old flowers to get crispy and fall off. Occasionally a healthy bud will fall off also. It is in a new home and different environment now so it may be reacting to the changes. IF new growth is showing you are heading in the right direction and I predict you will soon be buying more minature roses and your balcony will be glorious in the spring. Quietyard |
RE: Mini Roses in the High Desert
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| Angel I agree with quietyard, you need to get those roses out of clay pots. Not only do they dry out fast, but they retain alot of salts from fertilizer and even the water you use. (Ever notice the white frosty stuff they get on the outside? That is salt buildup) Clay pots and salt retention will kill a rose faster then anything else! They may look good now, but its only a matter of time. I'd let them be for now and replant them in light colored plastic pots (dark colors retain heat) this coming spring. |
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