Tips On Growing Roses
Growing bulbs in pots. Hints, tips and advice?
I’m just about to move from a house to a flat with a balcony. I want to have a couple of pots on the balcony, one with a rose bush and lavenders in it and one with bulbs. I know I want Snake’s Head Fritillaries, Gladioli and Snowdrops as they’re favourites, but what do I have to do about rotating and storing the bulbs? Any other suggestions for seasonal colour (and/or flowers to cut and bring indoors)? I’m also considering herbs in pots – are these best on the balcony or on the kitchen window sill? I’m not particularily green fingered but I’m working on it! Any help appreciated, thanks in anticipation, 
Sorry Patriots, I deleted the last version of this question as the only answer I had before yours just pointed out the typos in my question rather than answering it – but that meant I couldn’t read your answer when it came through! If you read this, please answer again – the first bit that showed up on my notification email sounded like it was a really useful answer! Thank you,
Snowdrops do well in pots, it would seem that you will be limited for space so make each pot work hard to earn it’s space.
Plants bulbs that will flower consecutively in one pot, eg. snowdrops then an early flowering daffodil then tulips. Plant the later flowering bulb the deepest.
Choose shorter varieties, they will look neater and produce less leaf so be easier to keep tidy.
Lillies do wonderfully well in pots and have a fantastic perfume, try Casa Blanca.
Alliums are happy in pots as well, try Allium schubertii,
You might have a problem with the frits, they should bloom the first year but will slowly fade away.
If you can afford the space leave the bulbs in the pots. Otherwise lift them once the leaves have died down and store in paper bags in a cool dark place. I never bother to keep tulips, they never flower as well the second year, just buy new.
Herbs need more space than you can give on a windowsill but Basil is OK indoors.
Tips On Growing Roses
Growing Roses from Stem Cuttings
Growing climbing roses, growing miniature roses or any type of roses from stem cuttings can be a hard task if you have never done so before. Some types of roses are harder to grow from stem cuttings, so it is best to research the type of roses you have cuttings from prior to beginning your rose gardening experience. Growing roses for cuttings can be done from a stem cutting to return the favor. However if you simply want to have your own rose tree garden or deal with simple rose gardening from a cutting, here are a few ideas to help you along.
Growing roses from a stem cutting can be the fastest way of getting your rose gardening career off the ground. There are few ways of growing miniature roses or growing climbing roses but you can do so from cuttings and make the wait shorter. Rose gardening from cuttings generally takes an average of about 3 weeks. You will want to get your stem cuttings from a healthy plant that has no disease or insect infestations. Cut the stems only from plants that have recently bloomed or are currently blooming for the best results. Your preference of stem length can be used when cutting, but no more than 20 inches should be taken at most. Cut the stems into sections if they are more than 4 inches long and take away any blooms that are on the stems. Cut away any leaves that are old or not needed, but it is important to leave one or two small leaves.
Rose planting comes after clipping the bottom tip of your stem cuttings at an angle. The area should then be sliced with a sharp knife to remove a thin area of stem about an inch up the stem. Dip the stripped tip into fresh water and then into a rooting hormone. This is not actually required, but will help keep the tips from rotting before taking root.
Use a small pot with about half an inch of sand in the bottom, then filled completely with a indoor mix that drains well. Completely wet the soil until it is moist but not dripping. Put the cuttings in the pot at a slant and push them down into the soil until the leaves almost touch the soil or the ends do not hit the sand mixture in the bottom of the pot. Rose planting is a careful procedure when done with rooted plants, but cuttings are even more delicate and should not be forced, therefore if the stems are becoming lodged you should wet the soil and try again.
Once cuttings are placed properly, use a plastic baggie filled with air over the top of the pot until it fits about half way down the sides. Use a large rubber band to hold it in place. Keep the pot out of sunlight because the sun will dry them out and cause their death. Some diffused light is best.
About the Author
Lewis Paul is a rose garden enthusiast and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. For more great information on growing roses from cuttings, and to receive a Free 10 Lesson mini-course, visit http://www.rosegardenbasics.com.
Flower tips?
I’m thinking of growing some flowers unfortunately i don’t have that good of a green thumb can anyone tell me some tips on how to get beautiful roses and some info on cross pollination to get different color outcomes. Also some tips on what is best to grow when. I live in California so the weather is a bit different over here any tips are appreciated
Here are ideas just in case you do not get replies. Miracle Grow is fantastic: you should buy soil with that added. The easiest way to do this is to go to a few stores that deal only with plants. Horricks is great but not nationwide. Web searching is great. Type in “cross pollination” and you get lots of information: it is best to type in “free cross pollination information” or type in any words associated with plants. This year was my first year to begin even planting, the web was wonderful and there was lots of free information found. You should not have to pay for this information. It is fun searching the web.
Gardening Tips : Tips for Growing Roses