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What can I do with my daughter's rose(s)?

herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,314
in Plants
It is a well established fact that I am rubbish with flowers (but trying to be better) and roses in particular - not a scooby.  My daughter's very good friend gave her one of these SM miniature things and she wants to save it if possible.

So far it has been overwhelmed by aphids - got rid of those with WUL and a bit of hands on squidging. Really bad black spot - I pruned it within an inch of its life last week during a mild spell and I reckon there are four plants in this pot!

Help. Now what do I do?  The pot is clearly too small for that many plants or do miniature roses manage with less? Can I repot them all now?  I'll try and take a picture tomorrow when its light but prompted to ask now as she phoned to see if it(they?) is doing OK. Oh the responsibility.
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,696
    You could split them, repot them, feed and water them, and get more flowers next year. Or bin it and buy a new plant for 2.99
    These are really sold as temporary house plants, lasting a bit longer than a bunch of cut flowers.

  • B3B3 Posts: 25,246
    You can keep them alive for a few years but in my experience they don't amount to much. I agree with fidget. If you really like them , buy another one.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,314
    Thank you @fidgetbones and @B3 for your your advice. I love the flowers of roses but confess I cannot stand the plants so if it were up to me I would accept your suggestion to bin it/them!

    My daughter on the other hand seems to have formed an emotional attachment (possibly because of the person who gave it/them to her) and harbours an ambition to keep it going.

    Given the obvious transient nature of these plants I feel more confident about re-potting them, nothing ventured nothing gained eh?

    Do roses need special compost or feed? I really haven't a clue.....
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,696
    Normal roses do well in clayey soil, so try mixing multipurpose compost with some garden soil as a 50 50 mix. A dose of phostrogen once a week in the growing season will encourage flowers.
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,314
    Thank you so much @fidgetbones, I have lots of clay soil!  Sorry it took so long to reply, lost my tinternet - back now.

    Got another job for tomorrow I guess.
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
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