Something wrong with my desert roses (adenium obessum)?

Hi there.
I've been growing two desert roses from seed. They were planted a couple months ago, and about week or two apart. The one planted the week or two later seems to be doing much better than the one planted first. I don't understand why, they're both planted in the same soil, and are next to each other on the window sill so see the same light and heat conditions. The only diference is the pots they're planted in; the one growing better is in a plastic pot, the other a clay pot. I've noticed I've had to water the one in the clay pot more often to prevent the soil from drying out. Could this be the reason?

The one doing better is quite a bit taller (though is a little thinner), more leaves, and the leaves seem a bit fleshier/thicker, and are also lighter in colour. Could it be possible that they're diferent variations of desert roses?

I have attacted pictures...

From what I can tell in your picture the smaller seedling looks healthy, so as long as that continues to be the case I wouldn't worry. Seedlings will often grow at slightly different rates. The taller thinner seedling is obviously growing a little faster, but that's not necessarily good or bad.

More water (as long as it's not to the point where you're overwatering) can make things grow a little faster--I've seen examples of this in my garden where I have multiple plants in the same area but some are closer to the runoff from my neighbor's lawn watering than others. In the long run, desert rose does not need a lot of water so being in a clay pot may be a better spot for it if you have a tendency like so many of us to be heavy-handed with the water.

The lighter leaves on the bigger seedling are not necessarily a good thing--being too light in color could suggest that they need fertilizer.

Hey,
Desert Roses grown from seeds are very interesting (even prized) due to the irregularity of their trunk/caudex growth. Many propagators grow Desert Rose from cuttings, these tend to produce were straight, narrow trees. Since you are growing these from seeds, the base of the plants will grow at different rates, in different directions. While the one is growing straight and tall, you will be surprised that the one growing fatter may be the more appealing specimen in the long run!

I have a very large, potted desert rose that lives outside at my southwest Florida home. I started it many years ago and have transplanted it over and over again. It is now in a very large pot and can't imagine the size I would have to try to find to accommodate it if it needs to again be transplanted. Unfortunately it is looking kind of sad with very few flowers, some leaves that are dying, etc. and wonder if it might be root rot or if it may be rootbound. Any thoughts? Thanks, Carol

Allens - is the one doing better in the deeper pot, by chance?

Plants grown from cuttings will have the same level of vigor, but plants from seed can vary widely in vigor and growth characteristics. A tall thin plant might actually have the same growth rate as it's short, squat counterpart, with any difference in growth being more rightly attributable to growth characteristics, rather than actual growth (increase in mass).

Many growers will be quick with the idea that DRs like tight roots and do better when grown that way. That's not true. No plant likes or prefers to be grown with restricted roots. SOME plants might bloom marginally better when subjected to the stress of tight roots, but stress is stress, and no plant actually LIKES it. Stress is what occurs when the plant is forced to grow at or near the limits for what it's genetically programmed to tolerate. That's not a good thing - the 'sweet spot' is better.

What people who perpetuate the myth that a plant likes tight roots are usually saying is, this plant needs to be grown tight because you're using an inappropriate soil and roots will rot in that soil if you give them room to run. IOW, it's better to suffer the stress of tight roots than it is to risk root rot because of a soil this plant can't tolerate. That's making a choice between two evils, hoping you've chosen the lesser of the two.

BETTER, is to use a soil that doesn't have the inherent evil of too much water retention. Shallow containers are much more difficult to grow in, yet I grow DRs in terra cotta or plastic collection saucers little more than an inch deep. I can do that because the coarse soils I use hold their water inside of larger particles, instead of between smaller particles, the later being what creates so much trouble with such a high % of plants, and particularly plants like DRs that don't like wet feet.

Carol - Root rot or tight feet can cause the symptoms you described. It's unlikely the condition is going to right itself w/o intervention, so the plant's viability, in all likelihood, rests in your resolve. It's probably not a good idea to piggyback on someone else's thread, but if you want to start one of your own, or if the OP says it's ok to talk about your options here, we can talk about whether or not you think the plant is worth the effort to save - if you wish.

Al