Caring for miniature roses might seem difficult at first, but rest assured, you’ll soon find that miniature roses are not only easy to care for, but they are incredibly rewarding.
With this quick guide on miniature rose care, you can effortlessly grow flourishing, vibrant miniature roses.
What Is A Miniature Rose?
A miniature rose is a true rose that has been bred in order to stay small.
Aside from their stature, miniature roses are not much different from their larger counterparts.
Miniature roses are a diverse classification of roses and come in a vast array of colors and bloom shapes.
History
The cultivation of miniature roses dates back to as early as the 17th century.
However, miniature roses first naturally developed from the genetic mutation of China rose, ‘Rouletii.’
Miniature roses were very popular throughout China and did not gain notoriety in the West until after World War II.
Planting Miniature Roses
Planting miniature roses can differ slightly depending on whether you are growing roses in the ground, in a container, or in a hanging basket.
Let’s break down all three options.
Planting In Open Ground
Site Requirements
For the most part, roses require abundant sunlight in order to grow vigorously.
They aim for a location in your garden that receives at least 4 hours of sunlight per day.
If you live in a particularly hot climate, a location with some afternoon shade is recommended.
In addition, you will need to find a semi-secluded location where the rose bushes will not have to compete with neighboring plants.
The rose shrubs are small in stature, but still require a decent amount of space in order for their root system to grow uninterrupted.
Steps
- Start by preparing the soil in the planting site. Using a garden fork, start working the soil thoroughly. Remove any weeds or large stones and break apart any soil clumps of dirt. This will make growing much easier as the roots will not have to navigate through these obstacles.
- Using a spade or a shovel, dig a large hole. This hole needs to be large enough to accommodate both the root ball of the roses as well as adding compost and fertilizer that we will be adding in a later step. Reserve the soil that you dug out for later.
- Take your garden fork again and work the soil that is at the bottom of the hole. Add a scoop of well-rotted manure to the bottom of the hole.
- Using the reserved soil from step 2, mix a couple of scoops of manure into the soil and blend it until uniform.
- Position your rose plant in the hole. Ideally, the base of the rose plant should be about 2 inches below the edge of the hole. Add or remove dirt until you reach a good alignment.
- Start filling the hole using that reserved soil/manure mixture. As you reintroduce the soil, make sure to press it lightly to firm it.
- After the rose is successfully transplanted, give the area a thorough watering.
- Repeat this step with however many rose plants you have. Keep in mind to space each individual shrub about 2 feet apart from one another.
Planting In Pots
Suitable Containers
When selecting a container to house your miniature rose shrubs, it is essential that the container has abundant drainage holes.
Unlike growing in the open ground, the water you give your roses will stay confined to the pot unless there is an opening for excess water to drain from.
The material of the pot also plays an important role in your roses’ care as well.
Clay pots are the superior option for roses as opposed to plastic or metal, though do keep in mind the porousness of the clay pot will warrant more frequent waterings.
Steps
- Place blocks of polystyrene at the bottom of the planter. This will help increase the drainage through the season.
- Begin filling the pot with a blend of well-rotted manure and all-purpose compost. Lightly press down on the potting mixture; you’ll want to add enough pressure to get rid of air pockets, yet not too much pressure as to make the soil compact.
- Place your rose in the center pot to check how well it will fit. The rim of the pot should be just slightly higher than the base of the rose. Add or remove potting mix as you see necessary in order to get a good alignment.
- When your rose is in a good position, start filling in the rest of the pot. Keep in mind to press the soil as you go.
- Give your roses a thorough watering, allowing the water to reach every corner of the soil. Water until you notice the excess beginning to seep from the drainage holes.
- Over the years, your roses will require repotting in order to accommodate the growing root system. When repotting your roses, be sure to size up gradually to the next larger size.
Planting In A Hanging Basket
Certain trailing varieties of miniature roses are ideal for a hanging basket (such as the Sweet Chariot).
The beautiful rose-adorned branches of the shrub can gracefully drape over the edge of the planter.
Follow these steps to plant your miniature roses in a hanging basket:
- Line your basket with a layer of sphagnum peat moss. Peat moss is highly absorbent and can retain large amounts of water.
- In order to retain even more moisture, place a lining of black polythene. Using a knife, perforate the lining; this will create drainage holes to allow for excess moisture to freely drain.
- Follow with a layer of potting soil. Place the plant in the basket and fill out the empty spaces with compost until the basket is full.
- Hang the basket before giving the plant a thorough watering.
Maintaining Miniature Roses
Watering
Roses enjoy a soil with a consistent moisture, however, it is essential to make sure that these plants are not overwatered.
Oversaturated roots can harbor fungus and bacteria, leading to root rot.
A good rule of thumb when watering your roses is to wait until the top of the soil feels dry.
When it is time to water your plant, give them a good, deep watering; soak the entirety of the soil with water.
Mulching
Mulching involves spreading a layer of material over the top layer of soil in order to create a barrier between the outside elements and the root system below.
Mulch can come in a variety of materials, either organic or synthetic.
The main purpose of mulching your rose shrubs is to slow down the rate of evaporation.
By deterring evaporation, you allow the soil to retain moisture for longer periods of time, in addition to stabilizing the soil temperature, something that is very helpful during the hot summers.
Mulch also suffocates weeds by depriving them of air and sunlight.
Place a layer of mulch (about 2 to 3 inches thick) around the base of your rose shrubs.
Mulch is best done early in the year before the new growth begins.
Feeding
Your miniature roses (especially potted roses) benefit greatly from a feeding.
The plant gets a good dosage of nutrients from the manure it is planted in, but this can deplete over time, even more rapidly in potted plants.
Select a balanced rose fertilizer and feed your roses twice.
The first time should be in the spring as your plant regenerates from the winter freeze.
The second time should precede the summer before your roses start to develop buds.
Deadheading
Deadheading is the act of pruning the flower from your rose shrub.
Its purpose is to encourage the plant to produce new, lively blooms.
This is highly recommended for rose varieties that are prolific bloomers as it helps ensure the highest yield of flowers per plant.
Using your pruning shears, snip off any dead flowers just below where the base of the flower meets with the stem.
Pruning Miniature Roses
Miniature roses (just like larger roses) require yearly pruning at the beginning of the year in order to create new growth for the upcoming growing season.
Old, dead, damaged, or diseased branches are cut off in order to make way for new branches that will yield many healthy flowers.
Winter Care
Miniature roses tend to be more winter-hardy than their larger counterparts, though they still require some winter protection.
If you live in a location that experiences long-term periods with temperatures below 20° F, then winter protection is a necessity.
In-ground miniature rose bushes should be thoroughly mulched and covered during the cold winter months in order to protect them from freezing.
Miniature roses in pots may be brought into the home, though it is important to maintain moisture as these roses will be most susceptible to drying out as they wait out the winter.
Caring For Miniature Roses Indoors
One of the great benefits of miniature roses is the ability to grow them indoors during any time of the year.
The bare elements of a successful indoor rose shrub are sunlight, good soil, regular fertilizer, and water drainage.
Place your roses in an area where they receive at least 5 hours of sunlight per day; a grow light works well as a supplement.
Maintain an environment with good air humidity and an air temperature range of around 50° to 70° F.
Conclusion: Are Miniature Roses Easy To Care For?
We say yes- miniature roses are easy to care for!
While their care slightly deviates from regular roses, owning miniature roses does not have to be difficult.
Like every other plant in existence, miniature roses have their own specific needs, but these needs are easy to be met.
The true key to a successful, healthy rose bush is being educated about the shrub you own and what its needs are.
