Question
Hi I know this might not be an annual, however if it acts like an annual maybe it qualifies for this forum? Here is my question.

I have a small rose plant my sister in law picked up for me for Mothers Day. It's called a Parade Rose and it is 2 inches, red flowers and a tag that says Bloom Rite, Nurserymen's Exchange, California. On the other side it says Rosa Hybrida but I can not tell if this is going to survive outdoors. Will it be safe to plant it outside?

I really would like to hold on to this plant. Have had no luck in the past. Thank you very much.

Answer
The Nurserymen's Exchange in California and Florida owns the trademark, 'Bloom Rite'.  They market miniature Roses and other plants as impulse purchases esp around holidays, when shoppers will scoop them up as gifts that are thoughtful and pretty but won't break the bank.  Here's their website:

www.bloomrite.com/prod_bloom.html

These Roses are hardy to Zone 6, but as a rule you should protect them to avoid winter damage.  You will have to give this specimen enough chill to trigger dormancy or it will not do well and may in fact end up responding as an annual, a one-season wonder never to return.  So take precautions.

Full sun and excellent drainage are absolutely necessary for Miniature Roses.  Update your gardening techniques and don't feed this one -- instead, treat it to a weekly drenching spray of 'Messenger' Harpin Protein all over the leaves; dump the excess around the roots.  Make sure the soil you use is rich in humus.  And when you first put it in the ground, have on hand a mycorrhizal inoculum to give it a healthy head start.  Remember, this little plant has been put through the ringer, with growth hormones up the wazoo, force-fed all kinds of crap, pushed to the limit for maximum bloom and sales.  Be nice to it.  Here's a little bedside reading on Fungal Mycorrhizae:

www.mycorrhizae.com/

This is actually a sound practice for all your landscaping flora.  The White House evidently is using this on the White House Lawn this spring -- and the fertilizer companies are none too happy about it.  Watch them do it in the Rose Garden; I guarantee it will work wonders.  Fertilizer is so old fashioned.

Any questions?

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER