rose plant

[Immi666]

i have recently been given a rose plant and i have no clue whatsoever as to what to do with it. i'm not a plant person. is it ok in the pot its in? how much do i have to water it? what else do i need to know?

[ipek]

First of all, do you have a garden?

If it is a miniature rose then it should be fine in it's pot on the patio. If it is a normal garden rose that has been pot grown for sale, then it should be OK in it's pot over winter, if you keep it in a sheltered place, but should eventually be planted in the garden in Spring.

If you don't have a garden, do you have an outside balcony, or something as they do seem to fare better outdoors? As for watering - this time of year they need minimum care, so if it's outside, the normal rain, snow, etc. will be enough. Indoors just keep it moist. It is better to be a little on the dry side rather than too wet.

Roses benefit from a good prune in Autumn or Spring before they start to grow very much. Take a trip to your local garden centre (or library) - there are some cheap little booklets on looking after roses.

[Immi666]

thanks for ur advice. i dont have a garden or a balcony unfortunately, wish i did. its a lilac dream or something. cant remember and the thing is at home. i'll look at my library though, thanks again :)

[Clanad]

I would certainly concur with most of what ipek says, with the addition of protecting the plant from dessicating winds. If the rose happens to be a Hybrid Tea (one bloom per stem) rather than, say, a floribunda, it will dry out if placed in direct sun and winter winds. This makes its recovery in the spring difficult and could kill it. Just cover it with a burlap bag or other cover that lets some air in or out. Don't water at all and be sure not to fertilize until growth appears next spring. Most roses only produce new blooms from new wood, so prune as ipek states.
Best of luck!