I bet your local garden center doesn't know where you got them roses from. Give them a call and ask them how they keep there left overs stored for the winter ( never hurts to say you got them from them )Indoor rose growing or winter raising is not a very easy thing to do. Even under your lights ( hmmmm what kind of lighting?) and the fair to good temps you post. It also includes things like pot size to humidity your type of heat ( FHA or FHW ) need to be concidered, air and lighting items, as well under watering over watering vs loose soil to thight soil ect ect ect. Results from experiance Even the mini is going to be a tuff to watch and hope for good results item if this is your first time. ( I lost one in part of killing with to much kindness)
I tend to be a bit extreme thou whatever you choose to do nice roses and good luck
Would I winter raise/grow roses inside You bet I would I just think it best to prepare you a lil bit

Sorry to burst your bubble but over the years I brought back many warm climate raised own root roses in fall from late vacations and ARS Fall National Conventions.
Because they have not had any chance to acclimate to my cold winter zone, none made it, no matter what I tried.
Anything obtained in the spring survived with normal winter protection. Those bushes acclimated to my cooler nights, overall different conditions, and the slow change from summer to winter.
I have no suggestions unless you have a heated greenhouse to place them in. You might consider renting space in one.
Good luck and I hope you have better success than I did!

Where are you? If south and/or east of Princeton, I'd put them in larger pots, and place them next to the house, somewhere accessible. Then when it got cold (below 10ðF or so) bring them in for a night or two.

If you are colder than that, options are much more limited. Smothering them in leaves outside isn't a real option, IMHO, unless you have very sandy, shore soil. And if you are on the shore, then like I said, just bring them in when it gets cold.

To start with, depending on when they were struck, they may be extremely pot bound. So getting them into larger pots is a necessity. In larger pots, they are going to take up a lot more room inside. Next, just leave them outside for now. I don't usually recommend this, but because they are from a warmer place, bring them in if a freeze is forecast. If they start going dormant, in a couple of weeks they can stay outside even if it does freeze. Weather and where you are may allow that to work until January.

Wesley, nurseries here do not keep roses over the winter. Whatever they don't sell by September, they trash. They don't store anything (I worked at one a couple of summers ago). Your advice on keeping roses indoors is good, problems with spider mites, especially, and keeping up the humidity is always a problem.

I wouldn't risk planting anything outdoors now. Follow MG's advice and keep your fingers crossed.

Frances,

In my similar climate I would do as MG recommends. Repotting them might be a good idea. I would then place the pots along the south wall of your home for a few weeks so they can go dormant. Our current weather of 40's day and 30's night should make them go dormant without beating them up too badly.

As soon as you see a night temp go below 25, place the pots in an unheated garage.

With all the suggestions, let us know how many survived come spring!

Thanks for all the suggestions! I realize I was probably out of my mind to buy them. I'll let you know how many make it to spring - keep your fingers crossed for me! And thanks again ...

Best,

FW

I have had things in pots (including roses) survive over the winter by keeping them on my steps and bringing them into the vestibule (cold and drafty but not freezing) during periods of extreme cold. The danger of putting them indoors is that they can break dormancy in which case it is unsafe to put them out. The most in and out months are naturally February and March. It's a bit of a pain, but it can be done.

Of course where you are may be colder. My part of Brooklyn is significantly warmer than the rest of NYC and LI, most years, to say nothing of New Jersey, which is further inland.

What about a cold frame for winter protection? That might give them a chance. 'Renae' is not very winter hardy anyway, I have read. Good luck with them.

A cold frame with a couple of lightbulbs on a thermostat to protect them from the bitterest cold would work. A simple one can be made quickly and easily from 1 1/2 or 2 inch thick extruded (builders) Styrofoam sealed and held together with Great Stuff foam sealer. You would need a clear top but an old storm window will work. Simple thermostats for gutter heat wires that go on at 35 degrees and off at 45 degrees can be found at Ace hardware stores.
Placed inside a cold frame it would protect the plants at night and on cloudy days when the sun can't warm the plants through the top glass.
Mine is covered with large polycarbonate sheets and I use a more expensive thermostat to protect some 200 rooted cuttings.