After you murder her, place the plant in a warm sunny location. It will probably lose all its leaves. Don't water again until the top inch of soil is dryish. You can also feel the weight of the pot and as the soil dries the weight lightens, and a lighter pot is a tip off to water needs.

To be fair to your mil, what you get with those gift roses is often not actually a rose plant, but more a couple of rooted cuttings, artfully pushed into bloom, and once removed from growhouse life support, their baby roots are often not up to the job of supporting their top halves. But I agree, drowning it, probaby didn't help!

1800 flowers did say,

"Once the blooms expire, you can plant your perennial outside; with continued care, it will flourish every year."

And the plant appears to have roots; although, they are weak.

Christopher's idea sounds perfect! I would just add, when you re-pot the rose (into a one or two gallon pot), put it into a clay pot with drainage hole(s). Where are you? Is it warm enough to put the pot outside, or not (not is if you will still be getting freezes)? If it is warm enough, I would put the pot outdoors, gradually, a bit a day, then permanently. If it is too cold, I would put it in the garage or some other unheated place - inside of your house is way too dry. Then, put it outside as soon as the weather permits.

Jackie

Good idea Chris! The dry rice ( uncooked) really works on taking water out. I once filpped my kayak in a creek, got my cell phone (in a ziplok bag) and watch wet, (wasn't prepared to flip, I had my earrings and watch on)...... someone told me to put them in a rice filled ziploc bag over night, the watch started working the next morning and my cell phone was ok too. Magic rice! The rice should dry your rose too.

It wound up dying. I won't buy flowers again from 1800flowers. $40 and i got 3 sticks that were 2 inches in a mini pot. I want to find out what breed they were so I can buy some from a plant vendor, not a gift vendor.

http://www.1800flowers.com/elegant-rose-101225?categoryId=400077283

any idea what rose this is?

If you want a rose that you know will do well in your garden, buy from a reputable and local nursery. They will know what will grow best in your conditions. No more heartbreak!