Desert Rose

I have grown a Desert Rose from a seed. It is now about eight inches high with twelve bright green leaves. I am unsure what to do next. Do I repot it? I would appreciate any help anyone can give to me.

You are a very patient person!!!! I wish i could help......I have never grown them from seed....but I do grow them.....go to the caudiciforms forum and they will know......good luck...good going!

Great growing, Brogden! May I ask how long ago you started the seed? I've considered growing one from seed, but don't know how slowly they grow, and patience is not one of my strong points. ;o)

http://www.cactus-mall.com/andre/large.html

It was helpful to me.

Brogden,I have a desert rose myself,and although I didn't start it from seed,it is also about 8 inches high.I haven't changed anything yet and it still seems fine,so unless it is rootbound or starts to droop,I'd probably just keep everything the same(amount of water, pot size, fertilizer,etc.).

I don't think you need to repot. The advice I've gotten is not to repot until it is practically busting out. You don't want the roots to have too much room for water or it can cause root rot. The only thing different I would do is let it get direct sun if it doesn't already. Since it is a baby, you should gradually introduce it to the sun .

Brogden- I bought seeds 2 years ago and my desert roses are not 8 inches yet. The link that stressbaby added is very helpful. My personal experiences is that they grow well in clay pots. I had them in plastic when I was growing them from seeds and they have seem to get healthier looking once I got them in their own little clay pots. I can't wait to see the first flower from one of them!! Maybe we can share pictures of our "babies" I started with 20 seeds, but only came away with 5 plants. User error :)

Both of you, congratulations!!!!

That is awesome! I'd love to see pictures of the flowers or even your "babies".

Look what I found this morning on a baby desert rose....

What a beautiful flower it has! Good growing Gessiegail!

My desert rose has yet to sprout any buds or bloom. It is sprouting leaves like crazy though. :) I am trying to be very patient and hope the payoff will come this summer.

do you fertilize your desert rose? If so, what do you use?

Please don't do what I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Often I break every rule and sometimes lose plants because of following my gut!!!!
They say to feed it once a month with a balanced mix...
After I planted these caudex I let them sit in the baking sun for about 2 weeks..........then of course, I couldn't stand the excitement....so I used a granular mix that comes in a 40 lb. bag that is 12-24-12....it is NOT slow release.............so, zap the 12-24-12 was released immediately.

Just to show you that it is better to follow the rules....example: About a month ago I decided all my green plants (some houseplants...some outdoor plants in pots) weren't shooting up enough new foliage for me!!!!
So..............................I got out the Optimara food that is 20-5-10 and used double strength which was about 1/4 tsp to a gallon and drenched the whole front porch.............if it didn't almost kill it the foliage bursts out everywhere (but some leaves were curled UNDER for a couple of weeks)....
I think maybe the success of these adeniums is to plant them in a shallow clay container .....water twice a week until they really get a lot bigger and put them on the sidewalk to absorb the heat?????? sounds good to me.

Gessie, I often break the rules too. That's how we live and learn right? Been doing it my whole life, why should gardening be any different? ;-)

I have mine in a shallow plastic container on the sidewalk leading up the front door. It seems to love it there and doesn't seem to mind the plastic pot so much even. It is really green and has leaves all over, but I am so anxious to see it flower! A friend of mine told me they like african violet food....so there goes Becky and buys african violet food the next day. lol I pinched it, repotted it and fed it the african violet food all within a week of each other. I think I stressed it out a little. Since then is when it has started doing really well minus any blooms. Not really sure if the african violet food is what started to make it wilt or brightened it back up again. The AV food is 7-7-7. I think I may have just used too much. I think I will try it again and see.

If unsure, you can never lose with a liquid Schultz 20-20-20 and use it stronger for outside plants......

Hey guess what? I don't know where Taft is, Cypress is near Houston. There is this nursery in Tomball called the Arbor Gate and I just found desert rose babies for 3.99 and 4.99 each! They have so many! I have been combing HD, Lowes, HGC and another local nursery for them and most are 29.99 for mature ones and Lowes had some for 14.99 I believe. Am I lucky or what?

shortstuff- you are so lucky for your find. The desert roses by me are in the 100 dollar range! But they are so big. No lowes or HomeDepot by me has any. :(
I should just be happy with the one I got!!
Colleen

Thanks Colleen! I can't believe they go for that much! I really like that nursery but I haven't had a chance to go back and see if I can find any more.