Help! My miniature rose bush fainted

Question

I am tryng to grow mini roses indoors. One seems okay but the other has fainted. I am using a sun-lamp on them, as I know they like the warmth and light, but not sure if it is because of over or underwatering. The soil feels mildly dry, but I do not want to over water. I already watered twice this week (lightly I think). Please help!

Answer 1

Growing mini roses indoors can be difficult but the grow light should help. It is hard sometimes to find the right balance of soils moisture in the indoor environment too. The biggest killer of mini roses in such conditions has nothing to do with you and what you do at all. The Marketers know that folks love to see a full and blooming rosebush in a pot at the store. Thus they plant sometimes up to 6 or 7 mini rosebushes in the same pot that is really way too small. To many this looks like one bush but very full and vigorous, so it would appear. We buy them and bring them home, do our best to keep them happy. All at once they start dropping blooms, leaves, etc.. Some foliage turns yellow and yes, some appear to have fainted. I always tell folks that once they get them home, take them out of the pot the roses are in. You will likely find multiple little rosebushes in that one pot. I give each one its own pot most of time unless they are really small, then I will use a larger pot and plant two in it. Make sure all pots have good drainage. Also make sure that water from watering the roses does not stay standing in the drain pan area under the rosebushes as this will lead to root rot and cause the rosebushes to die. Water the rosebushes with some water that has a product called super thrive and a good root stimulator product in the water for 3 to 4 waterings when they need water. This will help them deal with any stress and shock they are going through. You can also take a gallon watering can, add 1/3 cup of Epsom Salts to it, mix well and give a little to each of the rosebushes. Water well enough to moisten the soils down in but not make the soils soppy wet. I recommend using a moisture meter to check the soils moisture as you can check deeper into the pot with them.