Potted roses, once disdained as beneath the dignity of serious rose growers, have found new respectability among urban dwelling rose fans. While many roses are Ideal for balconies or porches of condos or apartments, not every rose will work in a pot, so it's best to start with recommended varieties from sound nursery stock if you are new to rose growing.

When

Potted roses should be planted in the spring in cooler climates, after any chance of frost is past. In warmer or tropic areas, wait until autumn when the high heat of summer is past. You can plant at any time indoors, of course, but there are problems with indoor potted roses.

Where

Roses can be grown indoors, but it's more difficult. Roses need high levels of humidity and direct sunlight. Houses with central air-conditioning can be more arid than desert climates. Miniature roses have the best chance of surviving indoors, but you'll need to put them in a sunny spot and make sure the air is moist. Roses planted outdoors in pots should be in direct sunlight in a warm spot. Turn the pot regularly so that all sides are exposed to equal amounts of sun.

Types of Potted Roses

The easiest potted roses to raise are miniature varieties. They do well in small area. Hybrid tea roses and floribunas are larger--but in a large pot, kept moist and in a sunny spot, they flourish with proper fertilizing, watering and pruning. Any rose variety can be raised in a pot, but as difficult as roses can be to raise, potted roses are that much more difficult to care for. Keep that in mind going in.

Soil

Potted roses need rich soil. Select one of several commercial potting soil blends designed for potted roses. Pour about 4 inches of peat moss, compost or well-aged sheep or cow manure and a layer of rose fertilizer over the surface. Mix it all into the soil and plant as described. Water it immediately. Do not fertilize the rose again till there is new growth. Potted roses need to be fertilized more frequently than roses planted in the earth. because they also have to be well drained. Well drained the soil is more quickly depleted of nutrients. Roses like soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Test your potting soil with a soil test kit to determine pH so you can adjust it before exposing your roses to the shock of transplant.

Container

Choose a container large enough for the bush to grow into a full sized rose bush. The pot needs drainage holes sufficient to keep the soil well-drained. Dig a hole in potting soil larger than the root ball about a foot deep, separate the plant from it's shipping box and plant it. Pack potting soil around the roses roots and water thoroughly to set the roots.

Care

Bare-root plants should be planted as quickly as possible after purchase. Soak the roots for an hour or so in a bucket of water. Both potted and bare-root nursery stock roses should be kept moist and in a cool, dark location until you can plant them. Roses in pots have a better survival rate than bare root plants. Clip any dead or damaged limbs and leaves. You will have to follow all standard rose care procedures to keep them alive and healthy. Don't make the mistake of treating potted roses like ordinary potted plants. Potted roses need more frequent fertilization, careful pruning and watering.

Watering

Proper watering is essential. The drier the air, the more water the rose bush will need. When it's cooler than 70 degrees, water every three to five days. When it's hotter, check daily with your finger to see if the soil is moist. If it's dry, water.

Source:

RoseGardening.net: How to Plant Potted Roses

Univ. of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program: Planting Roses

FlowerStore.com: Caring for Potted Rose Plants