Question
  I got two mini indoor rose plants for Valentine's, I haven't done much to it. I have used artificial lighting to keep it in good health. The leaves are turning yellow and weak and are falling off, I've never been good with plants...Someone I know told me to use Ivory dish liquid mixed with water for an insecticide soap and it seems like after I did now the yellowing has got worse. The plant is still green and the roses are still blooming. What is causing the yellowing? and could it be a fungus? cuz some of the leaves are shriveling *crispy*...what can I do to improve this problem and also keep my roses in the best health possible. I went and bought some Safer insecticide soap made for roses and some miracle grow shake and release plant food is that OK? please help these mean a lot to me and I wanna keep them for as long as possible!


                               Thanx,
                                T

Answer
Hi T-

It sounds like you are doing everything right.  The problem is the type of miniature roses you received usually don't live long even under perfect conditions indoors.  They are florist roses and usually don't live long because they are bred for one purpose - to live in a greenhouse, be a gift like cut flowers - and that's it. These roses are not bred for disease resistance or long life. The best chance for those mini-roses would be to put them outside so they can get at least 4 hours of sun a day. If you want to grow mini roses the best ones are those bred for the garden - N'or East mini roses and also the mini roses from Ralph Moore's Sequoia Nursery.

Good luck-

Carlene