Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)

Desert Rose
Adenium obesum

...just bought it! Its just the neatest plant! ...and most interesting

This was taken around Feb 2005. This seems to be a plant from a cutting and not from a seed. The diameter of the plant's base is approximately 28 inches.

Side view of the same adenium plant we fondly call "the rock!" The other small adenium plants below are from seeds. Over here the local common name is "Bangkok Kalachuchi."

This message was edited Jul 2, 2005 3:56 AM

Hi Tess!
You've got good desert rose plants. The first picture is I think a very very old plant bec. of its wide base. Take care of it. This plant came from seed as I look from its shape. The plant on the right side (without leaves) was from a cutting. Note its cylindrical base stem.
The ones from cuttings exhibit this kind of base stem (it just gets fat but not wider) as far as 50 yrs. old. I have seen this & it is really different from the ones started with seed even when they are still young (the base grows wider).
Where did you get those plants & how old is the plant (1st photo, center)?


This message was edited Jul 2, 2005 7:59 AM

This message was edited Jul 2, 2005 8:01 AM

Oh Tess...what a beautiful bowl/pot you have your plant in! Please give me some info on my plant as how to keep it going. My plant is only a few weeks old and it still in the original pot. Do I need to transplant it now or when? If so what kind of medium do I use? and should it be in a shallow bowl like yours?
Sylvia

Tess, your "rock" is beautiful, Thank you for sharing ..Now I need to fine me a place to buy one..Hope I have as good of luck with mine..

Ginger...I got mine at Home Depot.
Sylvia

Roda...I bought the big one from Mactan, Cebu (Garden 'r Us -Mother company of Bulacn Gardens). Quite a few years ago there were around 10-20 big to medium sizes. But sadly, early this year were only a couple left... from cuttings but very old ones. I have no idea how old my plant is. The smaller plants I got from AANI Market, FTI weekend market, brown ceramic pots from Manila Seedling imported from China.

Sylvia...From trials and asking around, I found out that if your plant is young it grows faster if half of the base is in the soil and not above it. But this way you don't get to appreciate its growth. I only transplant when the pot is getting small (when the roots touch the sides or bottom of the pot), making sure the next pot isn't too big (1"allowance from the lip of the pot). I use ordinary potting soil with a sandy mix. I just make sure the pot drains well, is placed under full sun and not overwatered. I use a shallow bowl/pot when I want to expose the base (6"diameter) above the soil, or when the plant is mature.

This message was edited Jul 3, 2005 9:48 AM

This message was edited Jul 3, 2005 9:53 AM

Thanks Tess ... so do mine look like it can stay where it is for a while?
Sylvia

Yes, it seems fine in it's current pot...I like it's shape, looks healthy too.

Tess I sure hope you are still around. A friend of mine want a cutting from my plant, how do i go about doing that? Thanks

Sylvia

Adenium soil mix. I'm new to adeniums, and have 2 that need to be repotted. Using what I have available, how is this? 40%sand, 40% aquarium gravel, 20% potting soil?