skip to main content

Cacti & Succulents

When will adenium come out of dormancy?

13 years ago

Hi,

I planted some adenium arabicum seeds last September. One sprouted, had a small trunk and a few leaves and then winter came and dormancy. It kept one single solitary leaf until about December. I also planted a grizzly bear opuntia seed in the same pot which also sprouted.

I keep the pot in an unheated bedroom, south exposure and watered very sparingly, like a spritz, once a month.

The opuntia is still green, looks good. The adenium, lost all its (one) leaf and that's what is happening now. The stem seems firm to the touch, so I don't think it is rot.

Here in China, spring usually means rain, so cloudy, overcast days are the norm. But this spring, things seem to be sunnier than most. We went from the 50s to a high of 79, with 70 being about normal. But there is no sign of life from the adenium yet.

I traveled last weekend to Jingdezhen, the home of Chinese porcelain and have bought a lovely pot for this plant that I won't to transplant it to, but I am waiting for some signs of life. Am I being impatient? How long should I wait?

Thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
13 years ago
SB,

They'll be coming out of dormancy anytime now.
sagebrush36
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, Jeff.
Related Discussions
Chinese Elm Problems: Coming out of dormancy or dying
Q
Comments (8)
Hi - I don't know if that tree can be saved, but I do wonder if it hasn't been watered too often - yellow leaves are usually a sign of that. It's always best to learn a tree's water needs not from a meter or by a schedule, but by getting to know the tree itself and seeing how it responds to watering, how much, how often, in what season, how heavy the pot is at times directly after watering and then later on, etc. You do live in a warm place, and 'dormancy' there would be relative compared to e.g. what iut would mean in the NE. Water isn't always the answer to overheating, but a cooler, or at least partly shaded location might be. I wonder also if it may have had too much sun in a window there - I don't know and can't say of course, but it's another thing to consider. And not knowing your soil mix is another. Sometimes it's best to just let a tree relax (along with yourself :-) a bit rather than treating it like a rigid mechanical thing... let the tree tell you who it is and hearing what it wants. I know how that sounds, but they are liviung things after all but haven't necessarily read the rule books! Good luck and don't be discouraged from trying again - we all lose trees along the way and sometimes it's not about 'us' at all. This post was edited by moochinka on Tue, Mar 18, 14 at 8:46
...See More
Pre-emergent - before or after mowing when coming out of dormancy
Q
Comments (1)
I'm not sure why the Bermuda Bible suggests mowing afterwards. Generally the time to apply is when the forsythia start to bloom. That is assuming you have that plant. We don't seem to this far south, but I'm pretty sure y'all do up there. You might be seeing weeds which sprouted in the fall and remained dormant all winter. Many wildflowers, including Bluebonnet, are like that.
...See More
When Can I Birng My Plumeria Out Of Dormancy?
Q
Comments (5)
Hello Shorjai, I wouldn't bring yours out just yet...like Andrew and the others mentioned...wait until these cold nights break.. My temps here in VB are so unstable right now...i just brought all of mine in again for the...5th time..LOL...im not taking a chance...we are looking for the lows tonight around 40* As far as watering...have you given it any water over the winter? If not, then you need to give it a little...they still need a little water while they are dormant... Just to be on the safe side...i would keep it inside, give it some water...depending how large your container is...for my 5 gallon containers..every month during the dormant season i would give them about 2 cups of water...then let them dry out...for the smaller containers..lets say i gallon..1/2 -3/4 cup of water...per month. if it has been bone dry all winter...please give it a drink...it will be very happy that you did!!! Be patient..wait for the temps to be above 45-50 at night before you bring them outside..then you will know they will be safe...place them in a sunny window and let them adjust to the sunlight if you have had them in a dark or somewhat dark area for the winter... You can always give them a "wake up" drink of water with some Epsom Salt in it to help them "awaken" from there time sitting.... some use 1 tablespoon of EP per gallon...I use 2-3 tsps per gallon... Hope this helps... Please feel free to ask any questions.... Take care everyone... Laura in VB
...See More
"Coming out of dormancy"
Q
Comments (5)
L, the tiny little plumie in the terra pot, at the bottom of the photo is a NOID that I inadvertently snapped when potting up it's main trunk. =( if your asking about the big guy in the center of the photo with the tiny tiny red flowers, I have no idea it's real name, it was sold to me as a "monster plant." meaning that it looks scary. this is my third year with it and I've decided to treat it like a plumie wrt care. it'll have big leaves, easily 5"-8" across with gnarly shaped edges, very monster-ish.
...See More
sagebrush36
Original Author
12 years ago
Temperatures here are warm and summer-like, but no sign of growth! The grizzly bear seedling in the pot with it is getting bigger, however.

I have a Pachira right next to it that has also lost all its leaves, (it lost them late this year) which hasn't shown signs of new growth either. I figure when it shows new growth, so will the Adenium, but I am getting impatient!
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
12 years ago
Is it still solid? Then it's still viable, but you're right, I'd be getting concerned, too.
norma_2006
12 years ago
One of the cultural rules I follow here in a very dry, little humidity area is if there are no leaves I don't water. They are still dormant. Wait for leaves before watering again, and perhaps give it artificial lights. Or perhaps change the soil to give the plants a kick start. Perhaps some fertilizer as well. This what I do here soon as know it is spring and are nights are going to be above 55F This month for us is foggy, and now until about June 20 is normal. Good Luck, Jeff is a good grower so read his instructions very carefully. Norma
sagebrush36
Original Author
12 years ago
Yes, it is still solid.

But the problem is humidity. I live in a sub-tropical climate that is often muggy. Today it wasn't too bad, but some days we have so much fog, you can barely see the buildings a few feet in front of you. In the summer, it is like Florida.

I water twice a month.
Marie Tran
12 years ago
Sagebrush, please post a picture of your plant.
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
12 years ago
I know this flies in the face of most advice, but I watered mine when I potted it
this Winter, and it began to grow leaves almost immediately.

Josh

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Let's Weed Out 4 Native Plant Myths

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Plant wisely for a garden that supports pollinators and requires less work

GARDENING GUIDES Your November Garden Checklist

By Annie Thornton

What to do around the U.S. this month to help your garden thrive — when you're not admiring fall's brilliant colors, that is

WINTER GARDENING How to Get an Amaryllis to Rebloom

By Therese Ciesinski

Enjoy glorious flowers year after year just when you need them most, with this step-by-step strategy

MONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTS To-Dos: Your November Home Checklist

By Laura Gaskill

Give your home a festive holiday air without running out of steam, and stay safe and snug as temperatures drop

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Top Native Plants for the U.S. Southeast

By Falon Mihalic

For a low-maintenance and wildlife-friendly landscape, use Southern natives that withstand heat and humidity

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 5 Smokin' Warm-Season Grasses

Beat the heat with beautiful grasses that help your landscape shine from summer through fall

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Walker's Low Catmint

By Annie Thornton

Prolific purple blooms, fragrant leaves, and cold-hardiness makes this a go-to plant for almost any garden

WINTER GARDENING Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses

By Annie Thornton

Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Cold-Hardy Succulents for Cool-Season Interest

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

These attractive plants shrug off colder temperatures, and many can be brought inside in containers in extra-chilly climates

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Reasons to Love Vertical Gardens

By Laura Gaskill

Boring patios and lackluster views, begone!

Sponsored

Dream Baths by Kitchen Kraft

12 Reviews

Your Custom Bath Designers & Remodelers in Columbus I 10X Best Houzz

More Discussions

What's wrong withy my cactus?

0

Free plants or cuttings

5

ID this cactus please?

8

jade plant pruning

6

Euphorbia disease advice?

3