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.
AnswerMackenzie,
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
