Perfection, as you know, has no limit. And every time you are convinced of this, looking at the magnificent roses, striking both with their splendor and, on the contrary, with exquisite, but modest beauty. No matter how many other beautiful flowers breeders bring out, the rose will forever remain the queen among them.
General information
Perhaps no other plant has so many legends and stories. The rose appeared on Earth several million years ago, but so far, despite its "advanced age", it has always been popular with flower growers. She was revered in Greece, and in Ancient Persia, and in France, and in good old England. In Russia, until some time, the rose was a pagan symbol. Her decorative qualities are sung in songs, treatises, odes are dedicated to her, in many ancient families she is present on the coat of arms.
Rose is the common name for all varieties and species of plants that belong to the genus Rosehips and are cultivated by humans. The beauty and luxury of this flower is difficult to overestimate. No wonder it is called the queen of gardens. There are many types of this plant in the world. However, many believe that the most sophisticated in the family areminiature roses. They were brought to Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. In this article we will tell you what they are, what varieties of miniature roses exist today, and also share the secrets of growing and caring for them.
Since the dwarf varieties of this amazing flower appeared, they have not gone out of fashion. Yards and balconies, gardens and window sills, flowerbeds - everywhere you can find miniature roses.
Description
From their larger counterparts, they differ only in size. But for all other characteristics, miniature roses are in no way inferior to ordinary ones. They bloom profusely, have an amazing aroma and are suitable for growing both at home and in the garden. Bushes of dwarf roses are multi-stemmed, ground cover or climbing. Their maximum height is 45 cm. There are thorns on the shoots. The leaves are located on short petioles, they are complex, pinnate. The number of plates in miniature roses varies from five to nine pieces. The leaves, depending on the age of the plant, are painted in different shades. In young roses they are dark reddish, and in older bushes they are green. The flowers of these plants are small. They reach a maximum of three centimeters in diameter, are usually double, cup-shaped, single or collected in apical inflorescences.
Miniature roses bloom profusely and for a long time, pleasing the eye almost all summer without stopping.
History of Appearance
For the first time these dwarf flowers were brought to Europe in 1810 fromChina. They were miniature tea roses. However, at that time they were not widely used. The triumphal procession of these flowers began only in 1918, when Dr. Roulette in Switzerland discovered a bush of a dwarf rose. He began to carry out selection work. And soon, as a result of hard work, the doctor brought out a rose named after him Roulette. It is she who is considered the ancestor of almost all modern dwarf varieties.
Distribution
Starting in the late nineteenth century, miniature roses began to be used in French gardens to decorate parterres. But over time, for some unknown reason, interest in them disappeared. It was only around the twenties of the last century that they again began to grow miniature roses in pots in large quantities. Initially, there were only twenty types of these flowers. In Russia, they were present in the imperial botanical garden. Full-scale hybridization of miniature roses began in 1940. It was at this time that Spanish and Dutch breeders began to use low-growing varieties of other groups in order to obtain new species. And thanks to interspecific selection, a number of subspecies were discovered, in which the main features of miniature roses were preserved.
But at the same time they had a brighter and more varied color. Combined with the graceful shape of the flower, this made miniature roses almost perfect.
Variety overview
Today this pink family has become quite big. Breeders managed to bring out more than five thousand varieties of dwarf roses. Amongthey have varieties that grow equally well both in open ground and indoors - at home. All of them differ in the height of the bush and the type of leaves, color and shape of the buds. Therefore, even the most fastidious grower will be able to choose the right variety for growing. One of the most popular garden species is Los Angeles. This is a "classic" of its genre. Miniature roses of the Los Angeles variety reach a height of 30-35 cm. Dark green leaves with serrate edges are located on standing flexible stems. These roses bloom profusely, on one bush you can see several bud colors, ranging from lemon yellow to orange.
Another popular species is the Hummingbird rose. Usually her bush grows up to 20-30 cm. Thanks to small shiny leaves, this rose looks incredibly elegant. Its flowers are up to three centimeters in diameter. They are terry and have yellow or orange hues.
Another interesting look is Jewel miniature garden roses. The hybrid grows up to 45 cm in height. It is considered an excellent option for use in landscape design. On its stem with rare thorns, there are many elongated dark green leaves. Flowers are oval, double, deep dark red.
Among the popular garden varieties, one can also note Lavender, the flowers of which at first have the form of a tea-hybrid rose, but then, when opened, they become like a floribunda, as well as Orange Jewel with its salmon-orange, large, densely double buds of a noble form that do not fade for a long time. He has a bushcompact, easy to grow, up to 30 cm high.
Another polyanthus rose, the miniature Morsdag, is well suited for planting in the foreground of borders. It can also be grown as a ground cover crop. This variety has milky white flowers with an original shape: they are almost correctly spherical, similar to an unblown peony bud. Brought to you in 1990 in Holland, the spray rose Lydia captivates with its delicate pinkish-creamy flowers. This is one of the few varieties that does not lose its decorative effect after rain. And spray rose Lydia is valued for its versatility. It can equally well be grown both in a container and decorate flower beds with it, create borders. But this rose in a pot looks best, creating a festive atmosphere in the room during the entire flowering period. Like all sprays, Lydia lives long enough in a vase in water. Most of all, this variety is loved by florists who decorate wedding bouquets with it.
Patio Rose
A garden with flowers always looks beautiful. But it is the rose that makes it chic. Today, just a huge number of miniature varieties of this culture have been bred, which differ in height, the shape of the bush and flower, and the shade of the bud. Quite often in specialized stores there are dwarf roses in pots, which are called "patio". These are small border varieties that are great for both outdoor and indoor growing. The patio rose is considered a real find when creating an interesting design.
This tiny plant living in a small pot is the dream of all flower growers. Its most delicate smell and graceful buds will impress everyone who sees its beauty for the first time. And although there is an opinion that the patio rose is difficult to care for, it does not lose its popularity. Moreover, this is not entirely true. This is not a tropical plant, so the moderation of climatic conditions is not terrible for her.
With the advent of each season, these dwarf roses require some care. In winter, they need a cool regime, in hot weather, they should be protected from high temperatures.
These dwarf roses have a number of advantages. Firstly, they have a small height (from 5 to 30 cm), and secondly, unlike ground cover varieties, their shoots do not fall down in an arc. Each patio rose is densely leafed, it blooms for a long time, covered during this period with small, but very fragrant buds of different shades.
Choosing a seat
These miniature plants prefer sunny areas, although partial shade is tolerated quite well. This applies both to growing in hot climatic zones and in pots. Miniature roses will gratefully accept the shadow in the very heat. It should be borne in mind that they do not tolerate close proximity: whether it be large trees, low shrubs or other plants.
The fact is that their roots do not like to "compete" for access to moisture or nutrients. When choosing a landing site, you should also consider the wind. Therefore, these roses cannot be planted in the aisles between structures. ATin such places there are usually strong air currents, sometimes so intensifying that the plant has no chance to survive.
There is one more thing to watch out for - weeds. Their presence in the ground should be carefully controlled, especially when planting a ground cover variety. After all, after such a rose grows, it will be very difficult to pull out weeds under thorny branches. Therefore, immediately before planting, the site should be cleaned, paying special attention to such perennial parasites with roots penetrating deep into the ground, such as creeping wheatgrass.
Soil
Experienced flower growers who have been growing these amazing plants for years know that they cannot be planted in the same soil in which another rose has already grown. No one can explain the reasons for certain, but the fact that in this case there is a high risk of “tired soil” is a fact. This phenomenon is not fully understood, but is most likely the result of soil depletion, as well as the presence of microorganisms that have taken root around the root system of the previous rose. All of them are especially dangerous when they hit the lower part of a young plant. And since the consequences of planting in such soil cannot be eliminated, it is better to prevent them. For those who still decide not to change the place, it is recommended to simply replace the soil layer. To do this, you need to dig a hole 50 x 50 cm and fill it with new soil.
There is almost no ideal soil for miniature roses. The soil must meet only a few requirements:be fertile and retain moisture. And if you provide good drainage and slightly improve the composition, then all types of soil will do.
Landing
After choosing a spot where the miniature roses won't be "drowned out" by other plants, improve the soil with organic compost if necessary. Then, at this place, a hole should be dug about the same depth as the container in which the seedling was bought, but thirty centimeters wider. After that, you need to carefully place the plant in the soil, carefully removing it from the pot and carefully releasing the roots with your fingers. If they go beyond the boundaries of the container, it is better to trim the lump with a knife. Putting the plant in the hole, you should expand the roots throughout the volume. Then you need to fill the hole with soil and carefully tamp it down. A miniature rose after planting should be well watered. In general, during the entire growing season, the plant will need a lot of moisture. Watering should be from the base of the bush, avoiding water on the foliage. Mulching is a must to control weeds and keep the soil moist.
Features of cultivation and care
Miniature roses are unpretentious. However, for good growth and long-term abundant flowering, they should be planted in a sheltered and well-lit area in the garden from the north winds. The morning sun helps to evaporate moisture and prevent powdery mildew or rust damage.
Growing miniature roses involves regular abundant watering and at least three to four feedings during the summer. To maintain the requiredthe level of humidity is well helped by spraying the leaves from the underside. Twice a month, both garden and potted crops should be washed to prevent infestations. In the warm season, fresh air should be provided indoors.
At the end of winter or early spring, miniature roses should be lightly pruned. Up to 1/3 of shoots should be removed for formation and new growth. Unlike larger roses, mini roses do not require intensive pruning.
Feeding
You need to fertilize miniature roses regularly, using formulations designed specifically for this crop. They should combine nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Water the plant well before fertilizing.
Indoor dwarf roses can be fed one and a half to two months after transplanting and rooting. Wood ash is also used as fertilizer. The next feeding should be given after the growth of new leaves, and then after abundant flowering.
Tips
You need to stop fertilizing miniature roses a month before the first frost. These small plants are often attacked by garden pests - thrips, whiteflies, spider mites and May beetles. Therefore, you need to periodically inspect the bushes and, if necessary, spray vinegar or soapy water on them.
