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I recently got a Minature Rose Bush. I am college student living in a dorm, trying to keep my plant alive. The only "real" light access I have is a window at one side of the room. The only problem is that beneath the window is a metal heater (one of the wall ones...). Since it's winter here (Ohio), there are not many opportunities to take my little plant outside. I try to keep it on the edge of my desk so it's closer to the window (for light), but not as close to the window sill would be (because of the heater... I don't want to fry the poor thing...). Does anyone have any suggestions of what I could do to keep my bush alive? About 1/3 of the buds/stems/leaves dried up within the first week I had it... (almost as if half the plant wasn't connected to the other half... which seemed strange...) I have pruned off the dead stuff, and I am being careful about watering, because when it first started dying, I think I overwatered it... but I am doing better about that now... Will using a desk lamp help give it the light it needs, or is that silly?
Also, I am going home (still in Ohio) for in about a week and a half... if I was to plant it outside when I get home, is it too cold to survive a transplant? Should I transplant it at all? I know that these bushes like lots of sunlight and plenty of water (but not too much). But if possible, I'd like to keep it with me here at school... I suppose first and foremost, I want it to surivive though.
Any advice would be wonderful. Thanks...
Krissie
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#1 of 1 posted
24 FEB 06 by
Wendy C
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Hi Krissie,
The desk lamp is an inspired idea. Go to a pet store and purchase a 'UV' bulb. You can find them in the Lizard section. They are a bit pricey..but the rose will not do well with a regular light bulb, it needs the UV the sun provides. There are bulbs which will fit in your desk lamp, it might take a bit of looking..so don't give up.
Many minis are grown on their own roots, with multiple rooted canes placed in the same pot. So if part of the plant died, it well could have been separate from the rest.
Keep your mini evenly moist. Don't over water it. Roses don't like wet feet. The roots will rot if they are kept wet. Water it well once a week in a sink or saucer from the bottom up. Set it in the water for an hour or so, then remove it from the water. Being winter it might require watering twice a week as the air is dry. If you over water the lower leaves will turn yellow and drop.
If you have a little spray bottle, the rose would appreciate a mist once or twice a day. This will also keep spider mites from making camp in your rose. Pesky little creatures who can harm the bush. Spray the base under the leaves..spider mites hate water, so you can take care of two things at once.
Good luck
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