House Plants/Rose problems

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Expert: Darlene K. Kittle - 11/9/2009


Question

Rose leaves
Hello,

I have had a potted miniature rose in my window. The tips of the leaves have been turning brown, but not crispy brown. You can see the veins still in the brown parts. I have taken off several of the brown leaves at first in case it was a fungus, but it didn't seem to work. The picture attached are not that clear but hopefully they will help.  

Answer
Mackenzie,

A rose is a very touchy plant to try to grow indoors. It needs at least a 10 degree temperature drop at night and it needs to dry out to where it is nearly dry and fairly light weight before you water it. When you water it you need to empty the drain tray under it a half hour after you water it so it is not left sitting in water constantly. It is not a swamp plant and if it is left sitting in water the roots will begin to rot and cause the browning of leaves beginning with th leaf tips.  Let the plant dry out better between waterings and water it less when you water it and the roots will grow back.

The plant can be planted outdoors in the ground and be well mulched with straw or leaves and a rose cone and it will survive the winter much better than it will indoors. Roses are not tropical plants so they really need a dormant period during the winter in a colder climate. If you keep it indoors all winter it will not stay healty. It needs a cold period. You will need to at least put it in your garage for six weeks during the winter to satisfy that need for a cold period. I suggest you pick up a book on rose care at the library or a used book store. Good luck.

Darlene

Darlene K. Kittle

Expertise

I have been a Master Gardener for 23 years and I raise around 300 houseplants and bonsai trees a year including tropicals, succulents, and cacti.

Experience

She is also studying the Japanese art of bonsai with tropical plants and is President of the Fort Wayne, IN Bonsai Club.

Organizations
Fort Wayne, iN Master Gardeners. President of the Fort Wayne Bonsai Club. Allen County Master Gardeners

Education/Credentials
I am not a hortculturist. I am a Purdue University Master Gardener for 23 years. I have studied plants on a personal level by growing hundreds of plants annually for the last 35 years. I have also studied under several nationally known American Bonsai experts.

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