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Cacti & Succulents

repotting large adenium

13 years ago

I recently bought a house about a year ago, and the previous owner had a rather large desert rose he left potted under the back pergola. It seemed quite neglected so I repotted about 5 months ago, after which it had beautiful growth. Recently I have been having problems with pests. A few days ago I braved pruning after doing a bit of research and have decided to pot in a more appopraite mix. Due to heavy SW FL rains in the summer (as this is an outdoor potted plant).

The plant from the root ball to the top is roughly my hight 5 foot 5...haha. It had been planted by the prior owner so that bulk of the caudex was below the surface and the stems appeared to come from the ground. In replanting the first time I was too scarred to lift it any higher out of the ground, due to numerous small and medium sized roots at this level. Also the caudex and root ball under the ground is over a foot tall.

In repotting this time I would like to use a shallow bowl shaped pot w/ 2/3 miracle gro catus and 1/3 perlite. And have more of the caudex showing. However, is showing these numerous roots dangerous to the plant (burning) or should and is their a way to prune these, or will they naturally die or expand down? (Normally I dont see roots on the plant so high up besides the very large roots...likely because they were never stuck all the way in the ground...haha). There are much larger roots at the buttom of the root ball, which I no way intend to touch. I would not only like to elevate the plant for aesthetic appeal, but to gaurd against rot.

Please give any advice you can on the particular situation. I truly love this plant and I am assuming it is older based on its large size. I can't tell how stressed out the thought of hurting it makes me. Yes, I am strange.

Thanks

Loren

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Comments (6)

miniquilts
13 years ago
**NOT an expert on these plants** However I have fallen in love with them and from everything I've read just shade the caudex for a few days and slowly introduce it it the sun. if you do a search of Adenium on this forum you will come up with a wealth of information. I spent hours alone just reading all of the back posts on this plant :)
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
13 years ago
Also not an expert, but know a little...

First, get rid of that MG C&S soil - it's complete and utter crap, particularly for these caudiciform plants. Or add lots of perlite/pumice/other drainage materials to it - that will ameliorate its crappiness, but only a little.

But the best information is, as MQ put it, already here. Just search for 'Adenium' or 'Desert Rose' and you'll see a lot of information that will answer your questions.

And there's no reason why you shouldn't touch the bottom roots - come to think of it, there's every reason to do so - your plant will grow better if the plant's as rootbound as it may be. Even still, if you're going to get this plant growing as you wish it to, you need to do a repot, IMO.
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Hi Aggie, thanks for the kind words. I use either Crushed Granite or Silica Sand (6/20) coarse. I live in Central FL, couple hours North of you...I did live in Miami for two years in 2004-2006. I wish I knew where to find Granite there. Have you tried calling "Feed Stores", that's where I bought mine, I had them order a 25 lb bag (that was the largest size they carry), the closest store I could find that would order it was a little over an hour north of me. I posted a link below so you can see the bag. I agree that Perlite is light and the wind can blow down the lighter pots, its been very windy here lately too. The upside to the perlite is if you have Large pots with the gritty mix...its much lighter to move around,lol... Website for Silica Sand (6/14) is the coarse one I use > Standard Sand and Silica Co. give them a call and see if there's one close to where you live. Here's the Silica sand I use. I think its recommended to pre-moisten the mix. I probably should do it but I forget to do it most of time, so I water it really well for the first time. But, I would pre moisten it if I were you...I wouldn't necessarily soak it but add a little water and "stir" it around till the mix is moist. I would do at night and the next day it should be fine to use. I took this picture a few days ago... Good Luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Manna Pro Granite
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Here is the pot and insert that I will be using: Just removed from the original pot: After washing off the soil: Into the rooting concentrate and Superthrive: Some friends to join them in the pool... Now, to prune some of the deadish looking pieces. I need this plant to leaf out and produce some branches for me. Also cleaning up some extra roots above the soil line Finally, the result: Tracy
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lady_ee
13 years ago
If you prune the roots make sure to let them callous over it the air before re potting it. I've seen a website explaining how to do what you are asking I'll see if I can find it. Otherwise though, you want to speak to rjj1, he's the expert on adeniums around here, and could defiantly help you out. Hopefully he pops in.

Not sure if the link bellow is what I was looking for but if you look thought the albums they have stuff about pruning, pests, etc. I think its great info. Good luck, I know the love of an Adenium well ;)
I would love to see a pic if possible :):):) I only have lil babies :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Great Adenium advice
lady_ee
13 years ago
That is the link I was looking for and here is the particular album I was looking for, its worth having a look at other albums too. By the way cinnamon is a natural fungicide for on the open cuts.

Here is a link that might be useful: Adenium pruning
sommerworkford_gmail_com
13 years ago
Well I bought a desert rose & keep it on screened in back porch where it gets sun all day & it had a bunch of buds on it but now they have not bloomed and are gone I dont understand. Its in a good drainage pot, please help
Marie Tran
13 years ago
Adenium needs sun, full sun.
I hope you have blooms soon.
marie

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