Because our lovely deers love snacking on my rose bush, I have potted it and placed it on my deck. Even after all the chilly nights that have killed most of my flowers in New Jersey, my roses are still budding. I want to bring it inside. Will it survive with half light by my deck door? Do I have to clip it, and how? Should I change the soil? I love it so. Please help.
Thanx! :o) Mitzi

It will survive but it will probably defoliate at first. You would have to give it direct sun inside for it to do well. Once it goes dormant you can put it in the garage where it doesn't get too cold for the winter and put it back outside next spring. You don't need to change the soil or cut it back until springtime.

Roses can't handle indoor temperatures - lack of sun and too warm will certainly be its demise. Enjoy it on your deck until it goes dormant. Now that it is in a pot, you may want to put it in a garage or shed after if drops all its leaves. When plants are potted, they must be hardy two zones below your zone. Most roses are hardy to zone 5. That means if you live in zone 7 or higher, the rose will be fine out on your deck. Otherwise, in the garage.

PS: To survive, roses MUST go dormant.

Roses are not house plants!!! They hate being inside and will more than likely die before spring. You don't say what zone you're in but I'm thinking NJ is probably zone 6? Your rose will not live outside all winter potted without extreme winter protection. I have to bury my potted roses in leaves and wrap them in burlap to keep them alive outside in my zone 6 Michigan garden. If you have a garage wait until the rose goes completely dormant, probably around the beginning of December, and put it in there up off the floor on bricks or blocks or a shelf. Keep it back away from the big door and any windows. You want it to stay at an even temperature with few ups and downs. WATER it at least once a month ALL winter!! Why do you think it needs new soil? If you used a good potting soil it will be fine for some time. Do not prune it now. Roses should only be hard pruned in the spring.

Thank you all for your very informative advice. I will be storing my beloved rose bush in the shed when dormant, on a shelf, I'll even wrap a warm cozy throw around the pot.. because I love it so.
~Mits