Indoor rose - home care, why it dries out

The popularity of indoor roses among gardeners is growing year after year. This beautiful flower is a worthy addition to any home collection. It has long ceased to be confined to garden plots or botanical gardens. A gorgeous blooming bush on a windowsill in an apartment is a source of good cheer and a special atmosphere in the home.

Growing roses indoors is a complex process, and a basic understanding of gardening principles may not be enough. Caring for indoor roses at home requires a personalized approach. Often, a purchased or gifted rose disappoints its owner—it wilts, the leaves turn yellow, and new buds fail to appear.

To ensure a long life and delightful blooms from a plant, it's important to know its optimal conditions from day one and strive to provide them. Only then will the flower reciprocate and become a source of positive emotions.

Characteristics of an indoor rose

The plant's relatively small size allows it to be grown in pots rather than in the ground. Although the flower is called an "indoor rose," and the classic indoor rose is a small bush, larger varieties, reaching one meter in height, can now be found.

This classic shrub grows up to half a meter tall, boasting stiff, serrated or elongated leaves, thick, thorny stems, and vibrant flowers. The variety of colors includes white, cream, yellow, and everything from pale pink to bright red.

The diversity of rose species is so vast that you can find completely different specimens. There are bush, trailing, climbing, and standard varieties. Therefore, every gardener can find the perfect plant for them.

The plant's homeland and cultivation history

The plant's origin story is unknown. There are many opinions on the matter. Some believe the flower's homeland is Europe, others are inclined to believe it originated in China, and still others believe it spread from Southeast Asia.

Be that as it may, it is now known that miniature rose bushes were already grown in Ancient Rome. Although ornamental plants were not typical for the Romans, they were planted in pots and used indoors.

The indoor rose is an artificially bred plant. It is the result of extensive breeding efforts to cross-breed many rose species. As a result, today there are numerous species and varieties, each with an attractive appearance and varying maintenance requirements.

Names and descriptions of species with photos

Not all types of houseplants will thrive in the average apartment. However, the diversity of varieties, their appearance, maintenance requirements, and sizes allows you to choose the perfect plant that will suit your needs and future living conditions. The main types, their descriptions, and appearance are shown in the photo:

1. The Bengal rose is a small, dense shrub, ideal for those who cannot stand strong fragrances. The leaves are pointed and slightly flattened. The flowers come in a variety of shades. This species was the first to be brought to Europe and for a long time was the only flowering domestic rose variety.

   

   This species is low-maintenance, tolerates normal humidity, and requires infrequent pruning, if any. Typically, only dead or diseased branches are removed. It prefers loose, well-drained soil.

2. The tea rose originated from the Bengal species. This variety is the result of selective breeding to combine miniature and standard garden tea flowers. It was introduced to Europe from India. Bush sizes vary greatly.

   

   There are dwarf varieties, no taller than 30 cm, and giant ones, reaching two meters. The standard size is around half a meter. The flowers are a variety of colors and exude a pleasant, quite intense fragrance. The leaves on the stems are dense and light green. They are ideal for indoor growing.

3. The China rose differs from other roses in that its small flowers almost completely cover the bush, forming a distinctive cap. This is precisely why the China rose is prized by many gardeners.

   

4. The polyanthus rose is a highly branched yet compact shrub, never exceeding 50 centimeters. Subspecies with double flowers or clusters of flowers are also found. The result of extensive breeding, the polyanthus rose is suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation. It thrives on windowsills and balconies alike. Among the most popular varieties are Miniature, Clotilde, and Orange Triumph.

   

5. Baby Masquerade is a low, compact shrub, no more than 30 cm tall. Its distinctive feature is the almost complete absence of thorns on its rather dense stems. The leaves are dark, small, and glossy. The flowers are 3-4 cm in diameter. They are gathered in inflorescences and change color several times throughout the flowering period, ranging from light yellow to soft pink. This variety is disease-resistant and blooms almost continuously.

   

6. The Bourbon rose is a miniature shrub with double flowers that are quite large for its size. It blooms for a long time, until early winter, but then sheds its leaves and rests until April. From then on, new shoots begin to emerge.

   

7. The remontant variety is a popular and easy-to-care-for variety. It blooms almost year-round. The flowers come in a variety of colors and are medium in size. The buds are goblet-shaped.

   

8. The Hummingbird rose has a distinctive feature: flowers in a variety of shades, from yellow to orange. The flowers, gathered in clusters, are 4-5 centimeters across. The bushes are compact and dense, reaching up to 35 cm in height. This plant blooms several times a year.

   

Of course, the diversity of species is not limited to these varieties. However, they are considered the most suitable for growing in ordinary apartments.

How to care for potted roses at home?

A potted rose is very similar to a garden rose, but it requires special care. It's not exactly low-maintenance, and only knowing how to care for it will allow you to grow a dense bush with abundant blooms.

Soil for planting

The soil for roses should be loose and rich in nutrients. The best solution is to purchase a ready-made soil mix designed for indoor roses. The advantage of ready-made soil is that it is prepared according to all the plant's needs. To prepare your own soil, mix humus, peat, sand, and garden or sod soil. All components should be used in equal quantities.

Roses absolutely require drainage. Place it at the bottom of the pot and sprinkle the prepared soil on top. When planting, ensure the plant fits snugly in the pot. To achieve this, compact the soil well.

Lighting

Roses love ample light. A north-facing apartment isn't ideal. A west- or south-facing location is preferable. However, direct sunlight isn't ideal for the rose either. To avoid sunburn, place the pot slightly away from the windowsill or shade the plant in the summer.

During the cold season, the rose experiences a lack of light, so it needs to be provided with additional lighting using a phytolamp.

The room where roses are growing must be regularly ventilated. However, drafts should be avoided, as roses dislike them.

Air temperature and humidity

Roses do not tolerate high temperatures well. The optimal temperature in summer is considered to be 16-25 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures can lead to overheating and root rot.

In winter, when the plant is dormant, temperatures can drop below 10 degrees Celsius. These temperatures aren't critical for the plant, as all vegetative processes slow down, and the bush generally tolerates temperature fluctuations.

If the apartment has heating, additional humidification is necessary, for example, by placing a container of water next to the pot. Misting with warm water also has a beneficial effect on the plant. In the summer, showering the plant once a week can improve its moisture levels. It's important to water only the plant, not the soil.

If the plant is dormant during the winter, it may not require spraying. Moderate watering is sufficient.

Watering

Watering should be adjusted according to the season. In summer, water when the soil surface has dried out. Use settled, soft, room-temperature water, never cold. Drain any water that has run off into the tray; otherwise, excess moisture can cause root rot. In warmer temperatures, give the plant an additional shower 2-3 times a week.

In winter, the plant also requires watering, but less frequently. It's possible to skip the watering, as most varieties are dormant during this time.

The flowering period increases the rose's moisture requirements. During this time, the plant needs to be watered more frequently, while also ensuring that water does not stagnate in the tray.

Top dressing

The best fertilizer for rose bushes is a complex mineral fertilizer containing all the necessary nutrients. During budding and active flowering, phosphorus and potassium should be added.

In spring and summer, apply root fertilizing once every 7-10 days. The fertilizer solution is then poured into the soil. For mature bushes, foliar feeding can be used by spraying the leaves.

Fertilizing the soil requires caution - if you do it too often during the budding period, the bush will produce many new leaves, but flowering may not begin.

Transfer

When replanting a rose, consider the following factors:

• a new plant is replanted no earlier than a few weeks after purchase;
• the young flower is transplanted into a new pot once a year;
• An adult is transplanted as needed.

When choosing a pot, it's best to choose a clay container with thick walls. Place some drainage material—crushed brick or expanded clay—at the bottom. Then add a small amount of new potting soil and compact it.

Roses are repotted by transferring them, including the old root ball. This prevents damage to the root system. After removal, inspect the visible roots – if they are light-colored, dense, and firm, the plant is healthy. Darkened or dried roots may indicate the bush's imminent death.

After placing the bush in a new pot, it is filled with soil, which must be compacted so that the plant sits firmly in the ground.

Repotting significantly weakens roses, requiring additional protection during this period, including pest control. Particularly weak plants are covered with a plastic container with holes. This creates a greenhouse effect that will help the bush adapt to the new conditions more quickly. Initially after repotting, the soil should be well-moistened, and the pot should be placed in a sunny spot.

Pruning and shaping

Not all varieties require pruning. Among those that do, some require shaping or simply the removal of weak, old, or abnormally growing stems. This procedure is best performed before winter. Otherwise, the bush will be weakened and the blooms sparse next year.

Roses are pruned with a sharp metal tool. Weak, diseased, and old branches, as well as those growing in the wrong direction, are removed first. Healthy shoots are pruned so that each shoot retains 5-6 growing points.

After the bush has formed, leave it in a cool place until the first leaves appear. Then, move the bush to a brightly lit spot and care for it as usual.

Reproduction

At home, roses are propagated by cuttings. This procedure can be combined with pruning. For this, select cuttings approximately 15 cm long with several leaves and at least three growing points.

To encourage the first roots to appear, the stems are placed in room-temperature water for several weeks. Once the roots have strengthened, the plants can be repotted in small temporary containers, such as small cups.

The soil should be fertile. Rooted cuttings are covered with plastic film to create a greenhouse effect. Gradually, the young plants become accustomed to indoor conditions, and the following year they can delight their owner with vigorous growth and flowering.

Why do indoor rose leaves dry out and turn yellow, and what should I do?

Improper rose care often leads to disease and pest attacks. If the leaves turn yellow or dry out, this indoor beauty urgently needs help, otherwise it could die.

These unpleasant symptoms most often plague flowers in winter or summer, when the air is too dry—due to heat in summer and heating in winter. Most problems in growing roses are related to inadequate watering, which can also cause disease or pest damage.

Improper hydration

Rose drying out most often indicates insufficient moisture. The main risk factors are:

• irregular watering;
• dry indoor air;
• the presence of batteries and other heating devices near the plant.

The first thing to do is check the soil's moisture level. If the top layer is dry, the plant needs watering. On particularly hot days, the plant should be watered twice a day, choosing the coolest time of day.

Yellowing leaves are also most often caused by improper watering. But in this case, it's usually due to excess moisture. If the soil doesn't dry out, the root system can rot, which negatively impacts the overall health of the plant.

If the leaves are turning dark and falling off, consider the water temperature. It shouldn't be too cold. Ideally, it should be room temperature and settled.

Diseases and treatment

Rose bushes are susceptible to various diseases, including fungal and viral infections and rot. There can be several causes, but most share similar symptoms: the appearance of plaque and spots. At the first sign of symptoms, the plant should be treated with fungicides and the affected areas removed.

A lack of nutrients in the soil often results in yellowing foliage. If this is the case, it's advisable to repot the plant in a higher-quality substrate and fertilize it.

Fungal diseases cause stems to darken. A coating appears on them, and the leaves become spotted. The most common fungal diseases are powdery mildew and rust. It's best to remove diseased shoots and treat the plant with special solutions, such as Fitosporin.

A viral infection causes leaf deformation and discoloration. In this case, it's also necessary to remove the diseased parts, reassess the quality of care, and improve the rose's health.

Pests and control methods

In dry and hot air, roses often suffer from spider mites, scale insects and aphids.

Spider mites reproduce very quickly because they live in large colonies. If you have other plants in your home, they will inevitably be attacked by spider mites. Therefore, all indoor plants must be treated. Under the influence of the mites, the leaves become dull, and small spots can be found on them. In addition, the leaves and stems are covered with a fine web. Actellic is used to control the pest. To avoid infestation, carefully monitor air humidity.

Scale insect infestation can be identified by growths on the surface of stems and leaves. First, remove the growths and then treat with Aktara or Fitoverm.

Any infestation must be dealt with promptly, following the instructions on the insecticide packaging, as delay may result in the death of the indoor rose.

Frequently Asked Questions

The key to caring for a rose is to get used to carefully and meticulously observing all the essential conditions. This may seem like a daunting task, but once your indoor rose bush blooms, all the difficulties will fade into the background. All that's left is to inhale your favorite scent and enjoy the beauty of the flowers.