On 18 Jul 2005 20:26:19 -0700, "Blah" wrote:



They are also susceptable to the things like afflict other
houseplants, such as spider mites. Generally, air circulation isn't
good enough for roses. If you can master container gardening, you
MIGHT be able to move a potted rose indoors for short periods of time,
but keep in mind that you are exposing your other indoor plants to
possible outdoor pests, and/or exposing your rose to indoor-prone
pests like spider mites. To bring them indoors though means lots of
artificial light (or direct sunlight through a picture window), plus
the fact that roses thrive at much higher "growing season" temps than
the usual low 70s (and low humidity) of the indoors. If you have a
sunroom, you might be able to pull this off, but you might find it
uncomfortable to lounge around in there at temperatures that roses
enjoy. Remember too, that most roses need at least 4-6 hours of direct
sunlight. They also need LOTS of air circulation.

Roses are really outdoor plants, but some have been somewhat
successful at bringing them indoors. It takes a lot of work and a
little bit of luck as well.

Okay if hybrid teas or other full size roses won't work would there be
suitable miniature varieties that would meet the requirements in my
intial post? What sort of care would it entail? I would be leaning
toward ones that would easily thrive and bloom if possible.

The same problems hold true for miniature as they do for larger ones,
but it's a little easier to get them more light (because you can get
them closer to the window, and or provide artificial light), PLUS,
it's easier to take them in and out.

If you're looking for a rose to be a permanent indoor plant, I think
you're going to be disappointed. Having said that, a miniature potted
rose is pretty cheap and you can easily replace them as you learn what
works and doesn't work.

Here are the main problems, restated:

Low humidity
Temperature (no variation in temperature)
Lack of light
Lack of "fresh air"/the effect of air conditioning (this is part of
the first two items as well)
Susceptability to spider mites and other indoor problems

All of these can be addressed, but fixing the first two things make it
uncomfortable for the human occupants. Roses CAN be acclimated over
time, but they are finicky little things.

The problem with temperature is the same that plagues orchid growers.
Most orchids need cooler temps at night and roses are no exceptions,
although they don't need the dramatic swings that orchids do.

One thing you could do is to keep them healthy as long as you can and
then if they start to decline, simply transplant them to the garden
and start with a new plant.

Just remember, there's a reason that they're called OUTDOOR plants.

After having written this, I searched for some links that might help
you:

http://www.rosemania.com/Growing_Minis_Indoors.htm
http://www.ars.org/About_Roses/miniatures_indoors.htm
http://www.mgs.md.gov/mdrose/docs/indorminis.pdf