On 13 Sep 2003 07:37:34 -0700, (Pam) wrote:

Howdy,

Well I guess that mini roses are a popular subject! I am growing
them outside on a screened in patio area and as you can tell I am in
the Tampa Bay area. Know enough about protecting (bringing in) if we
get a frost which is not very often. I am more concerned about the
hot weather killing it off than the cold. If anyone has info on that
please keep me updated, always trying to pick up as much info as I can
about growing the little beauties.


Thanks in advance.

Pam

Several things to look at (now that you've given more info). If it's a
screened in porch, how much direct sunlight do they get? Roses really
need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to do their best.

Are you letting them dry out on occasion? Roses need copious amounts
of water, but, conversely, they don't like wet feet either. If you let
the pot completely dry out for even two days, this could be
disastarous. I think it takes a lot of skill to grow a water-loving
plant like a rose in a pot, because it's so hard to strike a balance
between keeping the soil moist but not sodden, especially for small
pots where they can dry out in a day. Perhaps you could plant them in
larger pots (if you're keepiing them in their original small plastic
pots, this could be part of your problem). Keep in mind that if the
pot ever *completely* dries out, you've probably killed the plant.

Anyway, I wouldn't grow miniature roses in pots in any case, but
that's just me. For a patio in Tampa, I can think of far better
alternatives.