I have just written this for our local RS. NOTE : The text may be edited and shortened a bit and it's not final. It will be on my web-site after it's edited. Tips for planting and growing Miniature Roses # 1 : When buying NEW minis, which come out of the greenhouse. "Do not" expose them to direct sunlight right away as you may burn the foliage. Keep in the shade for at least a week and then gradually give them 2 to 3 hrs of sun a day for a week to 10 days. Then you can put them in "FULL" sun. # 2 : Planting. (Canada and northern States) When you buy a new mini in a 3 to 4 inch pot, do not plant them into the ground right away !!! If those small pots are full of new roots, I cut appr. 1/4 inch off the bottom of the root ball with a steak knife. This way new fine hair roots will develop really fast. I first transplant mine into one gallon pots. After 3 to 4 months the one gall. pot may have roots right down to the bottom. If roots go around in circles itÂs time to plant into 2 gall. pots. Again, I cut about 1/2 inch off the bottom with a large steak knife. From the 1 gall. one could plant them into the ground, but I prefer to leave them in the 2 gallon pots for the first season. Years ago I did some experiments with my own minis and those I grew on in pots were 2 to 3 times larger after one season compared to those which were planted right into the ground. Up north the ground never warms up until late May compared to the pots where the soil warms up fast with just a few hrs. of sun a day. In the southern & hot US states it will be OK to plant right into the ground, but after you had them in the shade for a week to 10 days. # 3 : Fertilizing. "DO NOT" use chemical fertilizer for potted roses !!! My friend and I have both killed a number of minis in one and two gallon pots, using the fertilizer we use in the rose beds. Too much nitrogen will damage or kill the roots and the plants may die. Use slow release Osmocote or even better, use the organic mix which a friend and I have been making for years. You can not over fertilize (kill the roots) with our organic mix. We have been using this organic mix for the last 6 to 7 years with outstanding results. The foliage, health and vigour of our minis in pots is exceptional as our rose show results prove. Water soluble fertilizer can also be used. If it calls for a teaspoon for 4 liters or 1 gall. of water use a level spoon, but "NEVER" a heaped one. As this is also a chemical, use a bit less as too much may damage the roots but may not kill the plant. Again I am speaking of my own experience. # 4 : Needless to say, water, water, water !!! Never lets your pots dry out as they have to watered more often than roses in the ground. Here is a link that might be useful: Roses of Excellence

msjam is right in that there is no "average". Each variety is different and even within the same variety there are differences. Her Rainbow's End is 2 ft. Mine sent a shoot up to at least 4 feet. But that was just one eratic cane! Location can also make a difference. Watch out for HMF size references; they are not always accurate. BUT it will at least give you some idea of where to start. If you want "short", my Michelle Cholet, in a pot, stays under 12 inches and cute as a bug even in our 38 days of 100 degree+ weather.

Thanks so much. I am a newby gardener trying to grow and propagate alot of different plants. I love this forum for all of the info that I have found.

arcy_gw I went to watch float decorating and to the parade in December 2017/January 2018. You can't smell the flowers down the parade route, most of the materials aren't fragrant. It is terribly crowded. I sat with the Torrance Rose Float Association group, and our location was approximately an hour down the parade route from the start. The bleachers are packed, and there are a lot of people who sleep on the sidewalks to have a better view. They do set up the floats on display and close up viewing later on the 1st and on the 2nd. I can say that going to the decorating barn was a great experience. You could smell some fragrance, but it wasn't overwhelming. The techniques and materials used are fascinating to see. On judging day (the 31st), all of the floats are activated, all of the riders are on, and everything has to be working except for actually being driven. That was a lot of fun!