How to Overwinter a Potted Rose and Precautions for Winter Care of Potted Roses

How to help potted roses survive the winter: precautions

The editor will introduce the knowledge about how to help potted roses survive the winter, with precautions in the field of flowers. Next, the editor will explain.

How to help potted roses survive the winter: precautions

Roses are relatively easy to care for and need to be kept warm during the cold winter. In cold weather, potted roses should be moved indoors to survive the winter. Before bringing them inside, the roses need to be pruned, leaving three to four strong main branches to concentrate nutrients. Then, place them in a sunny area indoors, ensuring at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. Maintain a temperature of around 20°C, water sparingly, and loosen the soil. On sunny days at noon, they can be placed outside in a sheltered, sunny spot to promote growth.

Roses are cold-tolerant plants that can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C, but young and weak seedlings have poorer cold resistance. Some gardeners leave their roses outside during the winter, such as in North China where temperatures can reach -15°C, and they can still manage to survive.

If roses are planted on rooftops, they can usually survive the winter. However, it must be in a south-facing, sunny, and wind-protected area. But we need to be aware that when temperatures drop below 4°C, roses will stop growing. Therefore, in the north, measures should be taken to prevent cold damage, with the safest method being to move them indoors. So, how can potted roses be managed and cared for to safely survive the winter?

Keeping Adequate Light

In late autumn or as winter approaches, the temperature gradually drops, and some of the rose leaves may turn yellow and fall off, which is normal. Whether the potted roses are kept indoors or outdoors, it is important to ensure they receive adequate light.

Sunning in winter can provide some warmth and allow the rose leaves to perform normal photosynthesis. If the winter temperatures are relatively warm and there is sufficient light and nutrients, the more prolific blooming varieties of potted roses may even produce flower buds from time to time. Since the temperature is low in winter, a single flower can last a long time.

Controlling Watering

If the potted roses are kept indoors, make sure to open the windows for ventilation regularly. Whether kept outdoors or indoors, potted roses must have their watering controlled during the winter, keeping the soil slightly dry. Because the temperature is low, the roses are basically in a semi-dormant state, so there is no need to water excessively.

Winter Pruning

Roses not only enjoy fertilizer but also need occasional spraying of pesticides and regular pruning. During the growing season, it's important to pinch the tips and remove extra flower buds and some faded flowers. In winter, pruning is also necessary, and this should be remembered when temperatures drop below 5 degrees.

Before bringing them indoors, for one-year-old seedlings with new branches over 30 centimeters tall, cut off 2/3; for those under 30 centimeters, cut off 1/2; and for very small ones, no cutting is needed.

For two-year-old or older strong seedlings, cut off 1/2 of the strong ones and 2/3 of the weaker ones, leaving three to four strong main branches. The branches should also be shortened to concentrate nutrients, which is more beneficial for them to produce more branches and shoots in the spring.

Winter Fertilizing Not Necessary

Before spring arrives, you can prune the roses. And if it's time to fertilize, using chicken manure, sheep manure, or cake fertilizer can be applied at the bottom of the pot. If it's time to change the potting soil, do so to provide more nutrients, allowing for a flourish of beautiful flowers on the branches during the spring blooming season.

The above [] introduces all the precautions for helping potted roses survive the winter, for everyone's learning and reference!