Thank you everyone. I am so thrilled that my boxes have done so well. That mulch trick works incredibly well. It has given them the chance to grow and fill out before the real hot weather finishes them off! Every year I plant them and every year I am disappointed that they do not do well. Can't wait to see how full they are by August! Sharon I planted Red petunias Red trailing verbena and red upright verbena Yellow Marigolds Yellow stock (can't see it yet lol) White verbena (can't see that yet either!) White lobelia Purple not sure what the middle plant is but I want to yank it because it is too wimpy for the middle of the container Blue lobelia Lzyjo the white and purple plants are lobelia.

Thanks for the tip! I take it signs of spider mites is leaves turning brown? Mine were literally just totally dried out, green, and crispy, the entire (teeny) plant! I didn't even realize they were dead at first haha. I was really afraid I'd killed my plant, but after a week or so and some fish emulsion I got a bunch of new leaves :D Would using a spray bottle (spraying both from above and below) be good enough for washing? I can't say it's super powerful, but when I mist enough eventually droplets collect and roll off. Would washing help for powdery mildew too? The minis in the window box (on a balcony rail, so wind pretty much on all sides) don't have any at all, while a potted clump of 3 have it really bad. I would guess that the difference in air flow is the main reason. I tried baking soda / molasses / dish soap, but then the leaves just turned yellow and died within a few days. Now the plants are looking .....dusty all over. They were doing ok, but now that it's getting warmer I'm afraid they're starting to get blackspot as well. I'll see if I can get some pics of my minis and post tomorrow. Thanks again!

yes it is still alive, roses are pretty tough. here's a few pointers Make sure that window box planter has a good amount of drainage holes on the bottom. Don't let the soil dry out, water when the top of the soil feels almost dry then give the plant a good deep in watering Give it as much sun as possible and just let it wake up. when it begins to have a couple of sets of leaves emerge you can give the plant halve doses of fertilizer. but mainly don't stress to much, there seems to be some green stem left and the worst of winter is passed. give the plant plenty for sun don't let the pot dry out and six weeks from now the plant will be growing like a weed. Also, after it wakes up whatever looks dead you can prune off.

I took several of my miniature roses indoors all winter, I thought I'd try it, and wanted to have something blooming if at all possible. January gets bleak here in Wisconsin. My roses did great! Sometimes I had some trouble, it's true, and sprayed them now and then, but overall, they did just fine. If you have them indoors, do you have any ability to get them outdoors now and then -- for example, on a porch or balcony for a bit? Just a thought. They'd like the fresh air, but I think you are doing a do-able job by growing them inside. If you are in the city, it's worth giving it a try. I should add that I kept my miniatures under grow lights. It's not entirely necessary, especially if your roses are near windows, I think they'd like the natural light more than grow lights. The one thing I'd look out for is black spot: yellowing leaves and black spots on your roses. Though I am also rather new at this, I know you have to remove all the dead leaves at once, try to water the base of the plant, rather than splash water on top of the plant - because black spot can spread to other plants with splashing water. You might also go to a garden center and ask for products that you can safely use indoors, to avoid blackspot and other diseases. When I had my roses indoors I was concerned about what I sprayed in an indoor atmosphere, as I have both children, and pets too. Good luck. Go for it!!! It'll be fun! Debbie djstahl@tds.net