Question
hi there, i have an indoor miniature rose which had flowers when i got it, managed flowers once since and i have had it now for about 2 years, maybe longer.  the stems are leggy and the leaves are plentiful but no buds are appearing and no flowers for at least a year.  it seems to get bugs this time of year too, so it has recently been sprayed. it is in my kitchen window which gets good sunlight and is watered frequently as seems to dry out quickly. I can send a picture if you need one.

any ideas or advice?

thanks

Miriam

Answer
Mini roses are no different than the big garden roses and require the same type of care. Because houses have a warm dry climate, the dryness encourages insects which can be hard to get rid of. To keep your rose growing like one in the garden, just do the following even though it sounds drastic. Repot the mini rose in a 12 inch pot filled with potting soil. Don't use garden soil as you want the soil to be sterile and have no insect problems in it. Take the mini rose out and cut it back to 5 inches and shake and wash as much of the old soil off as you can. Repot it, water well and give it some rose fertilizer, not a houseplant type. Use about two tablespoons. Spray with your insecticide and make sure you spray all around the base as there could be some eggs left in the old soil around the roots.  Place it back on your window and in ten days it will start putting out new clean growth. Mini roses really like to be put outside in the summer but not in the hot afternoon sun.