Today is March 2 2012. I have a rose plant in a container 6" pot and have brought it inside. Last years roses are long gone. The plant has extended new shoots. Should it be pruned or cut back or should I just wait to see what happens. We are in a cold climate zone 5 I believe. Can this plant be left outside? or brought in. fertilize? should I let it dry out or keep soil moist?

Mort

Hi,

If the rose was bought as a flowering gift plant rose it might be a variety that is not winter hardy for your area. Many of the small pot roses are "greenhouse" types that might do well outdoors in the garden in zones that don'e experinece the kind of cold you get. In any case you might want to cut back the plant a bit and then when weather starts to get warm and stay above freezing put it outdoors for the season. Water and fertilize as needed and it should do fine. Bring it in before really cold temperatures and enjoy it in a sunny location over the winter.