[Martina]

I have to switch providers due to insurance changes, so after TWO LONG YEARS with my psychiatric nurse, it's over. I already had my last real appointment with her, I'm just going to book a 30 minute appointment with her so I can say goodbye correctly since we still had things up in the air at the last appointment with regards to insurance.

I bought her a mini rose, and put it in a pretty pink pot. Something to remember me by. I just barely got it, and it's already dying! I swear I've been watering it regularly, and not too much, but enough. It's in the window, getting plenty of sun.

The petals are falling off.

What do I do?

I threw away the plastic pot that it came in from the store, so I wouldn't even know how to return it and get my money back or exchange for another one.

I bought it before our appointment on the 3rd because I thought that would be our last appointment but then there was more insurance MESS and grr....things haven't ended well. I hate insurance.

Anyway, anybody know how to revive a mini rose?

[(JD)]

I'm sorry you're having trouble with your rose bush. How are the petals falling off? By that I mean, are they turning yellow at the ends and dying, or are they dampening off at the stem while still green? Are the leaves yellow with black spots on them?

Roses are some of the hardest plants to grow. Somehow, I do quite well with them (or they with me.)

They do not like their roots to be fussed with much at all. If you bothered with the roots too much when you planted it, that may be the first issue. It could be in shock.

Now a second issue might be the type of soil you put it into. They do best in a mixture of organic material, black potting soil and some peat moss or vermiculite. It should take about 15 minutes to drain after you water the plant.

Roses don't like their foliage wet, so only water at the base of the plant.

Another issue might be that you planted it too deeply into the soil. You should almost fill the pot with the soil mixture, place the plant on top of that and then pack some soil mixture on top of the roots up to the base of the stems (called the canes.) All of that should be about 2 or 3 " below the top of the pot you put it into.

Most roses don't get enough water. Leaves that turn yellow (without black spots) are dehydrated! When you first transplant, water it often and then once it's on it's way it needs about 1" of water a week. That's with about 5 hours of sun a day.

Roses like their feet clean. LOL By that I mean that they don't want a bunch of stuff around the base of their stem. A little bit of mulch helps keep the soil moist, but don't put it too close to the stem.

Now, another consideration is plant food. Did you use any? A slow release food for roses is good, but anything else may have burned it's roots.

I think the key for you is water. Make sure the pot you selected has good drainage, and water the plant.

If you start over by repotting into good soil etc like suggested above, do so without moving the roots, leaving whatever soil is around them, alone.

Trim off any dying leaves gently. It may take weeks for the plant to respond.

Good wishes!

[Fresia]

All excellent things posted above JD. I would have even appreciated this advice earlier and will keep it in mind too!

Martina, this is a lovely sentiment. I greatly appreciate the one that was given to me from my home state. And I'll tell you my experiences....after a lot of research b/c mine went downhill fast after getting it; it is now thriving, even rebloomed. It is potted and indoors. The nursery said to put in full sun; it's leaves yellowed and I have it now only getting full sun for a couple of hours a day and in a bright area the rest. I water it every 2 days, just a large tumbler of water but it drains really well which was my second mistake, one hole in the bottom of the pot originally, needed better drainage, 3-4 holes. It began to perk up. At the same time began to give it rose food as recommended for this time of year, the growing season, 1x month spring until fall. Leaves fall off though pretty regularly, constantly keeping the pot picked up but the plant is full of bushy leaves now. I also found they don't like to be too hot, over 80 is not conducive for them. It is thriving now after a long winter of just trying to get green again and waiting for this season to come back, it finally rebloomed, beautiful and so worth it. Patience is needed.

I have heard in my adventure they are difficult to grow indoors in pots but it is possible. I couldn't have the pleasure it has brought me if I followed their advice to take it outdoors (too harsh a winter). I understand the anxiety too that you are feeling but it is possible with a little care. Best wishes.

Am used to garden roses, myself.
I have a big time green thumb...alas--all my houseplants perished out here in dry heat of the desert--My kitchen was a Rain Forest back in NY--I especially miss my Bay leaf Plant--so great to take one or two leaves off for soup, stew and sauce!!!

With Hybrid Tea Roses, I used to take their buds off before they even blossomed--made for more roses--this method used also for climbing roses and tree roses.

I was fearless in pruning them also--I took off all their branches save two every Fall.

They were incredibley proliferous, and healthy for 23 years.

I'd say, knowing what I do about just houseplants--the more you prune; the more you get.--I'd chop off their blooms, give them a banana peel (roses love Potassium),
make sure-they have proper drainage--"Keep their feet dry"--a spin off on JD--
don't let them sit in water, don't repot either--here on out-others gave you great advice!!!--------------------------------hope it all gets better !--theo

[Martina]

I just posted some photos of the rose at http://s871.photobucket.com/albums/a...apsychcentral/

It's not yellow, it's just shriveling up. Almost like it's too dry, yet I swear we're watering it enough.

Problem with drainage - it's a ceramic pot, we can't add more holes to it if it needs more holes.

I'm giving it as a gift so I want some pretty blooms, not a bare plant.

Joke here: Tell it to grow up?

[Martina]

Ok, nevermind. Change of plans.

I don't think I can revive the rose in time to make it pretty enough for a gift. Plus I've decided that something that requires this amount of care really isn't so much of a "gift" anyways. It takes too much work.

So, I'm keeping the rose, but I need another gift idea.

But I'm broke. I only have like $5-$10. Plus she'd get mad if I spent too much on her.

I just want something to remember me by.

What's a good idea?

[(JD)]

How about an orchid plant? They are only sold when in bloom (and some place in Portland says bring theirs back when it's done blooming and they'll give you 15% off a new one that is blooming I'm sure they are more that you or I would want to spend though, from there.

Not knowing her, well, Anything tangible might cause her angst if she doesn't have room to keep it (as you probably aren't the only one giving something, you know?) Thoughtful gifts like gift card for food--either at the local grocery store, or towards a dinner at a good restaurant--are always appreciated!

Hmmm...favorite music CD? A book by her favorite author, or a gift card for the book store?

You're the best to work so hard on finding something.