the trees were probably severely damaged.. when the house was built.. because it sure looks like they were pre-exisiting to the house.. unless they are that fast growing in TX ... ken

Hi Mike, I'm no expert, but I did rescue a few adeniums this fall from wal-mart that had top rot. I think it can be caused by something as simple as having moisture sit on the trunk when they are in a cool room, I don't really know - however, I cut it out of mine as you did, and they made full recoveries, so i don't think you need to worry. However, I think you should take them out of the cool room - from what I understand it is not essential for Adenium (obesum at least, if that is what you have) to go dormant, and in places like florida or thialand they generally dont, though they may take a month or two off from flowering and full leaf. If you have a warm sunny location they can sit in, put them there, and go ahead and water when the soil is dry - especially if they are just seedlings. If you do want it to go dormant, I think yours is big enough that it could handle no water while in a cool room - mine that are always thirsty still look like bean-sprouts... either way you want to go, cool and dry, or hot and moist :) If you do hot and moist leaves will reappear very soon, adeniums just seem to worry when they get moved, or spend time without light, and drop all their leaves just in case dormancy is necessary ;) anyway, my long-winded 2cents, hopefully an expert comes along to give better advice :) Best of luck - keep us posted! -Willow

Should i have left it alone to begin with? I tried to, but i was watching it get more and more rotten by the minute and became convinced it was rot because of the clear yellowish liquid that came out when i poked the soft part with a needle. I have grown many non rooted cuttings and never experienced any rot or growth issues before. I will definitely leave it now, thank you for your input.

I do not think it is bugs, I think it is culture. I am pretty sure about Frozen in Time that it is not bugs. The second is less clear. Frozen in Time looks like it was overwatered at some point. The soil on both plants is very fresh - they were recenty repotted. Soil looks like it came from a Miracle Grow bag - so it is preloaded with fertilizer. Frozen in Time has blossoms all over. If you repot and disturb the roots - you need to remove the flowers. My feeling is that it is a repotting stress - may be too much water after repotting. So it looks more stunted than damaged by bugs. Having Forbid on hand is a very good idea. You can get a small amount on eBay- 1/4 oz is plenty - I am here with Terrilou - one treatment is enough. Mites do not come out of the woodwork. They come with new plants - purchased, shared etc. So if nothing new was introduced in a collection... fine. If you bring something new - you can always make a small amount of Forbid solution - and spray it. Saves the trouble in future.