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    Adenium: Rules of Growing and How to Take Care of the Plant

    Adenium is a succulent bush that is more common to the areas of Arabia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and Africa, but can be easily found in many other countries. When kept indoors Adenium plants are rather frequently used for bonsai due to the fact it can be grown in containers.

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    Adenium desert rose is an extremely beautiful plant. I find the colors of the shrubs especially appealing. Those, who have never seen any adenium plants’ pictures, will definitely find it hard to imagine shades of white, pink and red flowers that can make any place special.

    Adenium Plants Description

    Adenium plants have thick stems and fleshy branches. Depending on the Adenium varieties, their foliage is generally oval-shaped and differs in size (2-7 inches). The size of the plant generally depends on the maturity of Adenium and its location. These plants commonly grow outdoors, however, when they are young, they can be kept indoors.

    Though there are a lot of Adenium types and varieties, Adenium Socotranum deserves special attention. I’ve always been dreaming of getting this plant. It is regarded to be one of the largest Adenium species, as it reaches nearly 15 feet and has a cylindrical trunk (8 feet in diameter).

    The pink flower of the plant appears for a couple of weeks in spring. Of course, Adenium images can’t show the real beauty of the blossom, but still they are really impressive. Unfortunately, the flower is not commonly available: as this Adenium requires proper care and appropriate climate conditions, and it is difficult to grow it, but in rare cases quite possible.

    What Makes the Desert Rose Special?

    What Makes the Desert Rose Special?

    Adenium Obesum, or Desert Rose, occurs naturally in the arid subtropics of Africa. The climate of this area is characterized by a small amount of precipitation, warm winters with an average temperature of +12°C and hot summers with a lot of sunny days.

    It’s not so difficult to create such conditions for your Desert Rose. The plant is easy to grow from seeds and to achieve flowering.

    All Adenium Obesum plants have not only decorative flowers, but also a spectacular caudex. Popular types include Adenium Obesum Mermaid, Santa Clause, Bonanza.

    Adenium Plant Care Guide: Essential Care Instructions

    As I’ve already mentioned, the plant grows well in desert climates, so if you want to have this plant at home, make sure you know how to care for Adenium. The following care instructions will help you to ensure the plant’s health.

    Daily watering is essential only during hot summer days. As Adenium grows in warm climates, where the temperature always remains above 50°F (+10°C) even at night, remember to water it regularly even throughout winter months. This will allow the soil to dry out between watering.

    Temperature is another thing you should pay attention to. In case you live in a subtropical climate, you can place the plant indoors until cold weather passes. Adenium can also be grown outdoors in areas where the temperature never goes below 40°F (+4°C). The desert rose can survive 40°F with little damage, but when the temperature is below 30°F (-1°C), the plant dies.

    In winter the plant can freeze, even if it is placed in a greenhouse. There are a few tips on how to care for Adenium in winter. Many people treat it like a cactus. Caring for Adenium, water it only on warm sunny days and move it to the house, when there is a risk of frost.

    1. Flowering. Adenium blooms in April-July and September-October, in some cases flowering lasts more than 6 months.

    2. Lighting. Adenium needs bright sunlight.

    3. Temperature. During the active growth (in spring and summer) - from 25°C to 30°C, during the rest of the time - from 12°C to 15°C.

    4. Watering. Adenium needs watering only after the soil mixture is completely dry.

    5. Air humidity. Adenium needs bright sunlight.

    6. Fertilizer. Adenium should be fed throughout the growing season once every 4 weeks with mineral fertilizers for indoor flowering plants.

    7. Dormancy period. November – March.

    8. Repotting. Young Adeniums need to be repotted every year, while adult ones - only when needed.

    9. Soil mixture. Turf soil mixed with coarse expanded clay or broken bricks.

    10. Propagation. Adenium propagates by seeds, by cuttings or by grafting.

    11. Pests. Scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites.

    12. Diseases. Adenium is highly resistant to diseases. However, the plant may begin to lose foliage because of a draft, a sharp drop in temperature and a sudden change in keeping conditions.

    13. Properties. The plant sap is poisonous.

    Lighting

    When growing Adenium indoors, remember that the plant needs bright sunlight. Therefore, it is better to place Adenium on a south-facing window. After the winter ends, when there is already enough light, the bush needs to be accustomed to direct sun rays gradually, otherwise burns may form on its stem.

    And there’s also one more rule - Adenium must be shaded if direct sunlight falls on it for more than 5 hours a day.

    Temperature

    When growing Adenium at home, provide for it an indoor air temperature of +25°C +30°C during the summer. Experts recommend moving Adenium outside for summer, choosing a place that has reliable protection from rain.

    In order for the plant to begin a dormant period, it is necessary to reduce the air temperature and the duration of lighting. During this period, the foliage turns yellow and flies around. In winter, in the room where the flower is located, the air temperature should not be lower than 10 degrees, while it feels best at this time at a temperature of +12°C +15°C. Make sure that the roots are not overcooled, otherwise the bush may die.

    Watering

    When caring for Adenium grown indoors, provide timely watering for it. Water your Adenium immediately after the substrate in the container is completely dry. In winter, watering should be very scarce and rare. If during the winter Adenium is kept at an air temperature of +15°C +20°C, water it only after the substrate has completely dried out. If during the winter the plant is placed in a cooler place, water it extremely rarely or completely stop the watering.

    Young Adeniums need to be watered very carefully as well. In spring, it needs to be watered 15–20 days after the buds appear and Adenium begins to grow.

    During the period of intensive growth (in spring and summer), Adenium needs to be additionally moistened with a sprayer. After the flowering begins, spray the plant very carefully, the water should not fall on the surface of the flowers.

    Fertilizer

    Adenium needs fertilizers in spring, summer and at the beginning of the autumn period. Feed the plant no more than 1 time in 4 weeks. To do this, use fertilizer for indoor plants, while the concentration of the solution should be from 1.5 to 2 percent.

    Pruning

    Pruning of Adenium should be done only if necessary and only in spring. To form Adenium like a tree, you need to shorten the side branches by 1/3 of the length. To form a bush, cut it below. The formation of Adenium takes quite a long time, and it is quite difficult, but if you do everything correctly, the result will be impressive.

    Adenium pruning intimidates gardeners, as not all of them know how to prune. To begin with, you are to use clean scissors. As for me, I always use sterilized shears, as they ensure that the disease from any branch won’t spread to other plants. Use sharp blades as they make the cuts clean.

    Many plants produce more than one growth, and if you cut them off, never throw them away: transplanting them you will have lots of new plants. The only thing to know is when to transplant and how to do it.

    Grafting

    Unfortunately, varietal characteristics during Adenium seed propagation are inherited only partially. And no matter how much you sow, each time you will receive a new variety, and not a copy of the old one. To keep all the properties of the Adenium variety, grafts are usually used. Adenium grafting also helps to form the shape of the crown you want.

    Repotting

    Young Adeniums should be repotted annually in spring, while adult plants should be repotted only if necessary. Experts recommend choosing for Adenium a light-colored pot, this will help protect the root system from overheating. After repotting, the plant should be watered only after 4–6 days.

    The soil mix for Adenium should be loose, and consist of sod and leafy soil, as well as coarse sand (1: 1: 1), and a small amount of charcoal. The soil mixture for repotting an adult plant should include a large amount of sod soil and broken bricks. Don't forget to make a good drainage layer at the bottom of the pot.

    Toxicity

    Adenium contains poisonous sap, so, after work with the plant is over, thoroughly wash your hands with soap. The flower should stand in a place that is inaccessible to animals and children. If you decide to decorate your home with Adenium, then this must be taken with full responsibility in order to avoid poisoning.

    Remember that Adenium is toxic to both cats and dogs. Do not allow your pets chew the leaves of the plant. It can cause weakness, vomiting and indigestion. At the first signs of poisoning, immediately bring your pet to a veterinarian. See more about pets and the effect toxins have here at the ASPCA.

    Collecting Adenium Seeds

    The process of Adenium cultivation presupposes seedling quality. The best quality seedlings are mainly produced by growing them slowly. I used to have lots of problems with germination of seeds and their collecting. Not many people know that this plant develops really large pods, when it is mature. It is very important to let these pods dry off in a natural way (it means on the plant). In two weeks they break open and disperse seeds.

    When collecting the seeds I take a paper bag and tie it around the pod. In 15 days after being collected the seeds should be planted into pots. When the seeds are germinating, it is important to water them regularly. Thus, starting Adenium seeds is rewarding as they soon will turn into an incredibly pretty plant.

    Planting Adenium Seeds

    Planting Adenium Seeds

    How to plant an Adenium? It can be easily grown from Adenium seeds. I always start with choosing plant location. This should be an area full of sun, as it ensures great flowering of Adenium. You can use usual soil, but I recommend taking cactus soil mix with coarse grit, perlite, sand and gravel.

    After this, push the seeds you have into the soil and cover with soil. I place Adenium seeds 1 inch down; however, here things depend on the plant, as some species require deeper planting. After planting the seeds should be well-watered. When planting Adenium seeds, remember that the germination period should pass in the lightly moist soil.

    5 Growing Adenium Tips to Keep to

    1. Sunlight. Adenium plants require much sunlight. If the plants are growing in cloudy locations, they become spindly and develop less vibrant blooms. Some Adenium species can withstand 30-50% shade and the sun can burn their foliage.

    2. Location. Choose the location with the temperature not more than 95°F (+35°C). Adenium also enjoys high humidity. That is why in such areas these plants grow better, regardless of whether they are outdoors or indoors.

    3. Growing in the ground. When Adenium is about to be planted into the ground, choose a raised bed with sloping sides. Make sure the area is well-drained.

    4. Growing in containers. How to grow Adenium in containers? Choose only terracotta or clay containers; add stones to the pot’s bottom to ensure comparatively better drainage.

    5. Dormancy. Adenium plants require special care, especially after entering a dormant period. I always move containers to dry and frost-free locations and water the plants once per month. When the spring comes, I increase the amount of water, because Adenium starts entering another cycle.

    The cultivar of Adenium Arabicum

    The cultivar of Adenium Arabicum

    Adenium Arabicum is the species with a huge caudex, large leathery foliage and spectacular pink, sometimes white flowers. This cultivar is usually used as a bonsai tree.

    There are two forms of Adenium Arabicum: "Saudi" and "Yemeni". They differ in height, the size of the blossoms and the period of flowering. This plant will make a true adornment of anyone’s collection. Adenium Arabicum that was started from the seeds can have an unusual shape of the caudex and if the cultivar is more than 10 years old, it can be worth more than US $1 000.

    The Most Commonly Seen Adenium Diseases and Pests

    Spider mites are pests that can occur on Adenium leaves and branches. They lead to leaves curling and are extremely harmful. To prevent their occurrence, it is essential to keep the plant free of dead plant debris and place it in the area with plenty of moving air.

    Mealy bugs suck sap and nutrients from Adenium plants and usually become the main cause of slow growth. However, they are easily removed with strong water spray.

    Though there are many different diseases that lead to various problems, I’ve personally faced only one - stem rot. This disease causes decaying of the plant’s inner layers, spreading very quickly during cold days. However, when the plant has survived its first winter, stem rot is no longer a problem.

    If you keep to all these rules and instructions, you can consider Adenium propagation through seeds and cuttings, but make sure you have enough place to hide your plants when it is cold outside.

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    All publications about adenium are below

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