8
Miniatures for Container Gardens
Two men looked out from prison bars, One saw mud, the other stars.
-unknownThere is no way of knowing just when or where plants were first grown in some sort of pot or container. The ancient Chinese must have been among the first container gardeners, for they were skilled at gardening while much of the world was yet primitive and barbarian. The Chinese may have even grown roses in containers.
The fabled hanging gardens of Babylon, built to make a queen feel less homesick, may have contained roses. In nature we find plants growing in natural containers such as a hollow tree, a ledge, a rock crevice or in a natural rock garden formed by the water piling together a mixture of rocks, soil, and other debris. We copy and modify these natural settings for our own gardens.
Today we grow plants in such a variety of pots and other containers that it would be impossible to list them all. The simplest of these are plain clay flower pots, tin cans and wooden boxes. Miniature roses may be grown in these and other variations such as plastic pots, redwood tubs and brick or concrete planters if there is adequate drainage. Pots should be large enough to allow growing room and to insure adequate water holding capacity. Size and shape of the containers you choose may be determined by their placement, and your gardening space.
9. Miniature rose 'Easter Morning' growing in a 4 inch clay pot.
10. A miniature tree rose growing in it 7 inch plastic pot.
Ordinary red clay pots are excellent and the natural color usually blends well in gardens and patios. I prefer shallower fern or azalea pots as they are not so easily tipped over. There are also clay pots in interesting special shapes but these cost more.
Plastic pots are lighter than clay and come in an assortment of colors. Both round and square shapes are available as well as several of interesting molded design. Plastic is nonporous so plants in these pots do not need watering as often as those growing in clay pots. Use only plastic pots with drainage holes.
Tin cans are easily obtainable, inexpensive and miniature roses will grow successfully in them. Cans should have several holes punched in them, preferably on sides near the base, to insure good drainage. Cans made attractive by painting usually last several seasons. If you want to grow miniatures in the garden but are likely to move to another home, tin cans may be the answer to your container problem. Plunge them into your flower bed or border to give the appearance of a permanent planting. They can be easily removed at any time. The No. 10 or gallon can is the best size and easily obtained as discards from restaurants or school kitchens. A similar container is the three-pound coffee can.
Figure 9. Miniature roses in planter made of 10 and 24 inch concrete pipes
Figure 10. Miniature roses in 3-pound coffee cans which may be attached to a patio beam, tree or post
In the greenhouse we often grow a number of plants for decoration. We hang plantings in painted gallon cans on support posts. Cans are prepared by punching a hole at the top just below the rim, in addition to drain holes in the bottom, so they can be suspended from nails or hooks. Make effective displays in your garden by hanging similar plantings on poles, posts and fences. (See Figure 10.)
Redwood or cedar tubs, available in many sizes and shapes, make marvelous containers for growing miniature roses. Portable containers filled with miniature roses make instant gardening available for porches, patios and other areas where color is needed.
Planter boxes of brick, redwood or stone, attached to the house or in the open are often used to grow miniatures. Hanging boxes or baskets may be used if placed where they receive sufficient light. City Gardens, a new version of the hanging basket, consists of several circular plastic containers suspended as a unit one above the other.
In the Municipal Rose Garden, Tyler, Texas, are several raised planters made of terracotta pipes. The larger diameter pipe is set into the ground and a second smaller diameter terracotta pipe with the top at a higher level is set inside, thus making a pyramid garden (see Figure 9). These are planted to miniature roses which are easily observed and enjoyed because of the added height.
Still other container ideas are the strawberry jar, an old wheelbarrow, a discarded automobile tire laid on the ground and filled with soil-even old coffee pots and teakettles which have had holes for drainage drilled in the bottoms. The possibilities are endless; just look around and see what might be used as containers for these tiny rose jewels.
Growing miniature roses in pots is similar whether indoors or outdoors. Here are some brief suggestions and growing guides.
Figure 11. Miniature roses growing in cans or pots make an attractive showing when placed on top of a fence or wall
Figure 12. For an unusual effect, try miniature roses in a hanging garden suspended by chains from patio beam, roof overhang or tree branch
PLANTING-set slightly deeper than plants originally grew in pots.
POTTING SOIL - a mixture by volume of I part sterilized soil, I part peatmoss and I part perlite (sand may be substituted) is recommended. To this add a small amount of fish emulsion, steer manure or other fertilizer. Moisten and mix thoroughly.
POT SIZE-4 inches or larger. Size of pot is determined by size of plant desired, length of time to be grown in pot, variety and habit of growth.
DRAINAGE-extra drainage may be provided by placing gravel or bits of broken pot in bottom of container. With soil mixture described above extra drainage is seldom necessary.
BEST growing conditions for roses are between pH 6-7 (slightly on the acid side) . Correct alkalinity by adding a little iron sulphate or iron chelate from time to time. Also, acid camellia or azalea fertilizer may be used. Wash any residue from foliage immediately.
WATER-keep soil moist but never soggy. Occasionally, allow top soil to become slightly dry, then water thoroughly.
FERTILIZER-feed lightly but often.
PRUNING (pinching) -some miniatures, especially in the house or under glass, may need to be pinched once or twice to keep plants from growing too tall. After flowering shear tops lightly to insure a more compact plant for the next bloom. Sheared plants bloom again in five or six weeks, depending upon variety and time of year. Pinch or trim plants at any time to induce branching or to delay blooming.
CONTROL for buildup of alkaline salts in soil: water thoroughly then repeat in four to five hours with heavy watering to wash accumulated salts out of soil. Allow soil to become slightly dry then resume regular watering. Repeat at intervals of three to five weeks or as needed.
11. A strawberry jar filled with flowering Miniature roses. STAR ROSES PHOTO.
LIGHT-to grow miniature roses successfully indoors is not too difficult but they must get sufficient light. Grow in sunny window, sun porch or in the greenhouse for bloom during the winter. In the house it is quite a problem to maintain proper humidity. Heighten humidity by setting pots on pans or trays containing a layer of pebbles or fine gravel with water added as needed to keep the water level just below the bottoms of pots.
Much study has been made in recent years to determine needs and responses of various plants to light. Practical application of these studies makes possible the all season production of florists' chrysanthemums, growing African violets and other plants in the home under artificial light as well as commercial germination of seeds by the bedding plant grower. Numerous trials have shown that miniature roses can also benefit by use of artificial light during the winter months. Faster growth and bloom as well as better color will result. Generally recommended for use is the relatively new Gro-Lux fluorescent lamp. A report given at the International Plant Propagator's Society, Western Region Conference mentions that standard daylight type fluorescent lamps gave almost identical response in plant growth. I find that ordinary 100 watt incandescent bulbs (with reflectors) placed about 18 inches 'above the plants give considerable improvement to winter growth and flowering. For complete treatises on gardening under lights I recommend these recent books: The Complete Book of Gardening Under Lights, by Elvin McDonald, published by Doubleday and Company and Fluorescent Light Gardening, by Elaine C. Cherry, published by D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc.
GROWING INDOORS. For best results miniature roses should be started cool. Never place them directly into an overwarm greenhouse or living room. After potting (if weather permits) move them outdoors, or shelter them in an unheated greenhouse, a cold frame or a cool porch until root growth has started. They usually root in about two to four weeks. Once rooted they can be moved indoors or into a warm greenhouse where the temperature is 70 degrees F. or higher in the day with a 10 to 20 degree drop at night.
Figure 13. Miniature roses may be cultivated in a sunny window or under fluorescent lights
Miniature tree roses make magnificent pot plants. Grow them in 6 to 10 inch or larger pots or tubs. The container size will depend on the size of the plant. Miniature trees are long-lived, bloom abundantly and can be a center of conversation. Unless the trunk is very stiff I recommend that it be staked and loosely tied. Green bamboo stakes are usually good for one season, redwood is longer lasting and metal stakes last for years.
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