Friday, March 27, 2009

Container Growing Of Miniature Roses In Your Garden

People often consider miniature roses as indoor plants, not knowing the fact that though the flowers are miniature, the plant itself can grow to a height of four to five feet.

But if at all these easy-to-maintain flowers are to be grown indoors, a few simple measures will give the best results.

Choosing the right containers:
* The plastic containers that look like clay or molded concrete. They are practical, they won't break, they retain moisture longer on hot surfaces than clay pots do. They are easy to clean up when not in use. They store easily, and not to expensive. They are lite weight for when it comes time to re-potting the plants that are in them. Moss and mold don't grow on them in the shade.
* The size of the container matters. If you are re-potting a plain choose the next size up to move the flower into. That gives it room to grow and it is not dwarfed by the big pot that you put it in.

How to have the best potting soil for putting in containers? ( This is good for any plant that you want to plant in the containers.)
Mix in 3 equal parts:
Sharp sand
Clay loam
Organic matter or professional planter mix

Per cubic foot of soil mixture, add:
1 1/2 cups of Epsom salts
3/4 cup of coffee grounds (rinse them clean first)
12 eggshells ( dried and crushed to powder)

Mix them all together. It is ready to place in the containers.
(For more mixes look at Jerry Baker )

The primary requirement for the miniature roses is ample and direct sunlight, the lack of it can result in stretched out branches and gaps between the leaves. To prevent this, additional light arrangements have to be made.

As a matter of fact, the miniature roses can be grown in flower pots, hanging baskets as well as in the ground but it is mandatory that they receive direst sunlight. If planting it in the ground, the roots should be free of tangles and placed carefully into a one foot deep and wide hole which is to be leveled properly with loose soil. Proper care has to be taken for the first three weeks.

It is a good thing to give your plants a bath once a week with a solution of 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap mixed with 2 gallons of warm water. Put it in a spray bottle so you can give the roses and other house plants a bath. This helps with keeping the dust off of them as well as the pest that like to come live on the plants like spider-mites.

Watering the plants once a week, keep them healthy. Keep the soil moist.

The outdoor plants usually bloom from spring to winter. A covering of mulch may help to protect them from frost and wintry chill.

Please leave your comments. We would love to hear from you. Let us know how your garden is growing in containers for beauty all around.

copyright Dan and Deanna Finlinson "Marketing unscrambled"

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