Pitimini rose, a small shrub with precious flowers

Do you love rose bushes but don't have much space for them? Do not worry! There is a type of these plants that can be kept in pots or planters throughout their lives, and even in very small gardens: the pitiminí rose bushes or mini rose bushes.

Their care is not difficult (in fact, they are the same as the 'large' rose bushes need), so you will not have any problem with them. Anyway, so that nothing escapes you, here you have its complete file.

How is it?

The rose bush of pitiminí, pitiminí or mini rose bush it is an evergreen shrub fruit of a dwarfism mutation of some ancient roses and a group of hybrids of modern garden roses that occurred in seventeenth century Europe and China. Its height ranges from 20 to 100 centimeters. It develops erect stems with dark green oval leaves with a serrated margin. From spring to late autumn, it produces flowers that range from 5 to 12cm in diameter, fragrant and of very varied colors (yellow, pink, red, white).

There are several varieties, the following being the best known:

• Parade: measures 20 to 30 centimeters and produces flowers of 5 to 8 cm in diameter.
• Yard Hit: measures from 40 to 60cm and produces flowers of 8 to 12cm in diameter.
• Palace: measures 60cm or more and produces flowers of 14-15cm in diameter.

What are the cares?

If you want to get a copy, we recommend providing the following care:

Location

• Body exterior:: if it is grown outdoors it must be placed in full sun or in semi-shade (it must give it more light than shade).
• Interior: it must be placed in a room with a lot of natural light.

Irrigation

Irrigation has to be frequent. You have to water 3-4 times a week in summer and a little less the rest of the year. If it is kept outside in a pot, you can put a plate under it and fill it up during the warmer months.

Earth

• Flower pot: universal growing medium (you can buy it here) mixed with perlite in equal parts.
• Garden: must have good drainage.

Subscriber

In spring and summer it is advisable to fertilize with a specific fertilizer for rose bushes (like this one from here) following the directions on the package.

Planting or transplanting time

The best time to plant your pitimini rose bush in the ground or transplant it es in spring, when the risk of frost has passed. In the case of having it in a pot, it must be transferred to a larger one every 2-3 years.

Multiplication

To get new copies it must be multiplied by cuttings at the end of winter (February / March in the northern hemisphere). The way to proceed is as follows:

1. First, we will cut a branch of about 20-30cm with scissors previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol.
2. Second, we impregnate the base with rooting hormones (such as these) or with homemade rooting agents.
3. Third, we fill a pot with universal growing substrate and, with a stick or with our fingers, we make a hole right in the center.
4. Fourth, we water, we plant the cutting in that hole and fill it with substrate.
5. Fifth and last, we put the pot outside, in semi-shade.

Keeping the substrate always slightly damp, the cutting will root in 15-20 days.

Pruning

As the flowers wither, they must be removed to produce new ones. What's more, at the end of winter dry, diseased or weak branches must be cut.

It is also very advisable to give it a 'important' pruning before spring, reducing its height more or less in half. With this, it is achieved that it emits many new branches that will produce more and more beautiful flowers.

Pests

It can be affected by:

• Red spider: they are red mites of about 0,5cm in diameter that feed on the cells of the leaves. They make cobwebs, so it's easy to spot them. They are fought with acaricides.
• White fly: they are parasites of white color with wings that also feed on the cells of the leaves. They can be fought with soap and water.
• Aphids: they are parasites of about 0,5cm, yellow, brown or green, which adhere to the leaves and flower buds to feed on them. They can be fought well with neem oil (you can get it here).

Management

It can be affected by the following:

• Roya: it is a disease produced by fungi mainly of the genus Puccinia and Melampsora that is manifested by the appearance of small red or brown bumps on the underside of the leaves. It is fought with fungicides.
• Powdery mildew: it is a disease produced by fungi that is manifested by the appearance of a network of whitish and powdery filaments on the leaves. It is fought with fungicides.

Rusticity

Withstands cold and frost up to -4ºC.

Where to buy one?

You will find the pitiminí rose bush for sale at any nursery and garden store. The price is around 7 euros.

What do you think?