Hi, Ive also been having some trouble out of my Adenium Obesum. But as I am looking through some of the suggested caused and cures. I am finding it a little hard to compare since there are a few differences. I purchased my Adenium Obesum about a month ago online. It arrive healthy, about 2.5-3" tall green and healthy. She was obviously grown from seed since she has the infamous fat trunk. I done a little research before purchasing the plant. I got to know it like dry arid conditions, fast draining soil, and PLENTY of sun light. I also read you could train Adenium Obesum to become indoor tolerant. My potting medium is bonsai potting mix, and sand; no course or dead plant material as it is highly susceptible to root rot. Since it has arrive I placed the plant in indirect sunlight but still pretty bright. After about a week or so I noticed a bit of yellowing in a few of the leaves. Come 2 days later it has spread to a few more, a few days later the first yellowing leaves begin to wilt. Then fall off. You get the idea. So now its a month later and I have a most of the original leaves, but a few have fallen off and most haven either yellowed or becoming yellow. I know my water is draining fast, the only thing I can think is light, or the water I am currently using (tap) is not kosher with my Adenium Obesum. Please help, I want to see my little girl thrive. I know Adenium Obesum are such BEAUTIFUL trees, which is why I purchased it to begin with. The situation isnt too dire, but until I get some help I have her placed outside my window in direct sunlight most of the day. Btw I am watering her about once-twice a week. Im still figuring out what she likes as far as water. Remember this is a baby not some of the beauts you guys have posted. Thanks once again, Stefan

Thanks akaMaineGrower for the comment and suggestions. I'm going out in a little bit to check on the life of the branches, but I wanted to run a comment past you that the rep from my County Extension service told me. Like you, I would believe that lack of light would cause issues like this, but apparently, getting sun can be the issue. She sent me part of an article by someone named Walter Reeves which stated that lichen usually colonizes on plants who are already sick in some way. From this ailment, they tend to thin out, thus allowing sun on branches that then encourage the lichen, primarily the algae portion of what I call the "ugly sandwich". Once the algae takes hold, the fungus isn't usually far behind. But again, these plants are more than a decade old, not in high moisture areas, and most are super full. They don't have "holes" in growth that would explain Mr. Reeves' comment. Ok, now I'm off to go check on the branches to see what life they have left in them! Watch, knowing my luck with this Psycho Lichen, they'll be healthy branches! :) Thanks again! Elizabeth

That looks like normal lichens and moss growth on the trunk... it is not that unusual especially if the tree is older. The lichens are not hurting your tree- if the tree is sick there is something else going on. Here is an informative link on lichens and how to get rid of them if you wish. http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/fungus-lichen/treatment-tree-lichen.htm

A couple things I do to help the birds during their nesting time is give them places to build their nest. Doves only put down a couple sticks before laying their eggs so I give them platforms that are sort of saucer shaped — to keep the eggs in the nest. I just take 1/4 in square screen, cut a 8x8 inch piece and bend the ends over canes so it doesn’t fall. Also works great on metal arches. I also place them up under the over hang of the roof on our buildings. That way they are out of the rain. Make sure they have more than one easy escape opening. Robins like the roses but they do need a bunch of the canes close to each other so they can place their nest in the ‘hole’. You may want to tie some canes together if your bushes don’t have any. Also if you have a cane sticking straight up with off shoots that form a cone just cut the center cane out leaving just the cone. They can build their nest in it without it falling out. Wrens will fill your bird houses with small sticks so other birds can't use them if the houses are close to each other.