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Contain It: Ten Things to Think about when Growing Container Roses

If your space is at a premium, but you love roses, you may want to think about growing container roses.

1. Convenience of Location

Growing roses in containers had a lot of advantages. If you don't have a yard to garden in, or are limited to a balcony on your apartment, container gardening is perfect. Containers can be set on a patio or moved about as needed to give you the most decorative effect you can get. As long as you are gentle, it is fairly easy to move container roses. Larger containers can get quite heavy after they are filled up with plants and soil. If you are planting a large container, put it where you want it to sit before you begin to fill it. If you put it on a rolling stand, it is easier to move the container later or rotate it to get even sun exposure.

When choosing a spot for your container rose, remember your rose needs six hours of direct sun every day. You'll also want to keep in mind how easy it is to water your rose in your chosen location, and what kind of temperatures will your rose be exposed to in its container.

2. What Roses to Plant

Be aware that not every rose is going to adapt to growing in a container. Do some research on what varieties will grow well in a small space. Ask at your local garden center. They should be able to recommend many varieties that will be suitable.

3. Size of Your Container

Plants are usually planted closer together in containers than they are in the ground. Be sure to leave enough room in the container for your rose to grow. It needs room for root growth and space for good air circulation. Many beginners to container planting make the mistake of planting their roses in containers that are really too small. They end up repotting quickly as the roses outgrow the original pot.

4. Type of Containers

There are a lot of different containers to choose from for your roses. While most roses come in perfectly usable plastic pots, remember that black and other dark colored plastic containers will absorb heat and dry out the soil much more quickly than lighter colored pots. Ceramic and wooden pots are also good choices. You can find decorative terra cotta pots at many garden centers, but they lose water more quickly than some other types of pots. Be sure you choose one that is practical as well as decorative. Consider the size of your rose, the color and the surroundings in which it will sit when choosing your pot.

5. Drainage

Be sure the container you select has good drainage. No matter how pretty a pot is, if it doesn't have enough holes for the excess water to flow through, your rose will not thrive.

6. Soil Mixture

It is essential to provide a high quality soil mix. You can find a perfect pre-mixed soil at your garden center, or you can mix your own with compost and top soil.

7. Watering

Be sure you don't overwater your rose. Underwatering it can be just as disastrous. Remember that water will drain out much faster from a pot than it does in the ground. If you have roses in hanging baskets, they will need to be watered much more frequently than other kinds of containers. Hanging baskets lose a lot more water than other containers. Try not to get a lot of extra water on the leaves of your rose.

8. Feeding

Dilute the food you feed your container roses. You may need to feed more often since the water draining from the bottom of the pot will carry fertilizer with it.

9. Grooming and Pruning Your Roses

Always inspect your roses for signs of pests and disease. This is extremely important if your roses are located inside. Remove all old blossoms and prune out the old canes.

10. Watch the Temperature

It makes sense that a rose in a container is going to be more sensitive to heat and cold than if it were planted in the ground. Give them a little extra care and they will continue to thrive. Protect them from freezing by bringing them into a protected area or bring them indoors for the winter.