On Mon, 05 Sep 2005 22:10:29 GMT, "Gail Futoran"
wrote:

"Diane" wrote in message
...
I have two miniature roses at the end of my driveway that are in decorative
pots. They have done exceptionally well particularly after I cut them back
and feed them. They have provided a wealth of blooms and I am so pleased
with them.

I need some advice about how to prep them for winter. The pots are
moveable. Can I leave them in the pots and move them into our garage for
the winter? Can/should I cover them? (I live in upstate New York above
Albany so it can get bitterly cold here in the winter). Should I cut them
back and feed them just before I bring them inside? When is the best time
to bring them in?

Garage is fine. I have several shrub (not minis) in
pots and when it gets really cold (not often here)
I just move them into the garage.

Minis are very hardy and shouldn't need a lot of
special care. It's helpful to water occasionally so
soil doesn't dry out, but I wouldn't feed any more.
Wait until they start growing again in the spring.

One addition here. Be careful about watering once your temperature
goes below freezing most of the time, which I would think would be
early in upstate NY. The water in the soil can freeze the soil pretty
solid and this could spell death to a potted rose. You probably want
to get some insulation like an old wool blanket or something and
loosely wrap the entire pot. You might not need to water but once
every week or two (maybe even less - talk to your local nurseries for
specific information). Make sure that if you wrap the pot, that you
leave some slack for air circulation. All you're trying to do is keep
the temperature as close to freezing as possible without throttling
the root ball with lack of oxygen respiration. The wrapping that you
put under a Christmas tree is a good example.