Mini roses dead or just dormant?

I have mini roses that were potted and now I want to plant them outside. I've been soaking the roots in water since last night. The soil in the pot has been bone dry for about 6 months. How can I tell if they're dead or just dormat?

Mini roses dead or just dormant?
If they have been without a drop of water for that long, it may indeed be dead. But, I've seen mini roses survive worse. Try pruning it back hard (the way you would any standard size rose). Check if you see green inside when you clip - if so, your rose may have survived. After you prune it, you can plant it outside in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of full sun. Keep in mind they can suffer from all the same problems as your larger roses (fungal problems, insects, etc.), so they require very much the same care. If you care for it properly, it should do well outside. Give it some food made just for roses, and give it time to sprout new growth. I have several, both in pots and in beds, that do very well. Good luck!
Reply:If it has had no water in the pot for 6 months, I'd say its dead.
Reply:i've heard that mini roses are very fragile and will probably do poorly outside... if you've had no foliage on it in sometime, i think it's probably dead. i've only known one person to keep one alive and that was one that was kept inside at all times and babied.