The Gardener South Africa – September 2019

http://www.thegardener.co.za I 41

W

hile rose stems outdoors are just starting to sprout,

without a flower in sight, it is possible to have roses

indoors. Roses double up as living bouquets and

indoor decor plants. Each pot contains 3 – 4 mini-roses, which

is why a single pot is so full of buds and blooms.

Requirements: For long-lasting indoor flowers display the

roses close to a windowsill or on the patio where they get

good light but not direct sunlight. Cut off the stems to 5cm

above the ground when the flowers are over, and feed with

a liquid fertiliser like Multifeed, Seagro or Kelpak when new

shoots are visible. The roses will flower again in two months.

Long-term care: The roses will come into flower more

quickly if kept outside in the sun, but will need to be watered

every day. Take the rose inside again when the blooms start

opening, or display it on the patio as an outdoor feature.

Pot roses adapt well to growing outdoors and should be

treated like any other container-grown rose: daily watering in

summer, fertilising with Vigorosa once a month in summer,

and monthly spraying with Ludwig’s Insect Spray to control

pests.

Water daily in summer.

Cut the stem off 5cm above the ground.

Pot roses adapt well to growing outdoors... ... and should be treated like any other container-
grown rose.