Dear Martha: I love the miniature rose plants florists sell, but I haven't had much luck growing them in my home. What am I doing wrong?
Answer: Though these roses are sold as houseplants in winter, they are outdoor plants at heart. Enjoy them indoors until spring, when they can be planted outside. Miniature roses are hardy to Zone 6 and up (and down to Zone 4 with protection), but require strong sunlight. Place them in a south-facing window, away from vents and radiators. If your plant came in a small container, repot it in a 6-inch one to give it breathing room and enable it to take in more water.
Most homes are very dry in the winter, which is inhospitable to houseplants, and can cause miniature roses to decline quickly. Set the pots in a humidity tray or other shallow vessel, filled with pebbles and a small amount of water. (The base of the pot should not sit in water.) If you've repotted your plant and are using a humidity tray, you should need to water it only once a week. But pay close attention to the soil — it should never be soggy or powder-dry. If it feels moist, hold off watering for a few days.
Too much heat or water or too little light puts stress on the plant and can make it prone to common rose pests and diseases, including aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew and black spot — even indoors.
For aphids and mites, the best solution is to give the plant a little shower in the kitchen sink once a week. Hold the pot sideways (with your fingers over the soil), and rinse the leaves and stems.
To stave off powdery mildew and black spot, remove affected leaves, as well as fallen leaves, stems and petals, to prevent the spread of fungi, instead of treating the plant with chemical formulas. Keep your plant vigorous by pruning dead blooms and fertilizing with a balanced formula at half-strength every week. On days when the temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, move the plants to a sunny spot outside for three hours to five hours. This provides air circulation.
When the danger of frost has passed, plant the roses outdoors. Make sure they receive plenty of sun, rich soil and water, and mulch them well when next winter comes. You won't be able to bring them indoors again — they will need a dormant season — but with proper care they will live happily in your garden for many years to come.
Dear Martha:How should I store fabric?
Answer: First, be certain that the cloth is clean before storing it. This is particularly important when it comes to vintage textiles or those that have been handled a lot. Cosmetics, lotions and skin oils are all easily transferred to fabric. Though they may appear invisible, they can cause staining and deterioration over time.
The ideal way to store fabric is to wrap it around cardboard tubes that have been covered with acid-free tissue paper or muslin. Find the tubes at fabric stores (you might also ask an employee for a few empty ones), or save those that come with wrapping paper. Wrap another layer of tissue paper or muslin around the top of the cloth.
Folding fabric and placing it in acid-free boxes is another option, but keep in mind that this will create creases that will have to be ironed later. Tape swatches to rolls or boxes so you can find what you're looking for easily; this will also prevent you from soiling material when you're looking for something.
Never keep fabric in plastic bags or containers, as these trap moisture, which can break down fibers and cause mold to grow. And do not let cloth come in direct contact with wooden shelves. The acidic gases released from wood can lead to yellowing or brittleness in textiles.
It's important to choose a ventilated spot with a consistent temperature, such as a closet or spare room, for your fabric. Avoid the attic, basement and garage, where extreme temperatures and humidity — not to mention dirt and dust — can affect the quality of fabric.
Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10036. Questions may also be sent by electronic mail to: mslletters@marthastewart.com. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Questions of general interest will be answered in this column; Martha Stewart regrets that unpublished letters cannot be answered individually. For more information on the topics covered in the Ask Martha column, visit www.marthastewart.com.
© Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. All rights reserved.
Distributed by The New York Times Syndicate