Rick, thanks for posting these. They all look extremely happy to be outside. Such healthy seedlings. So cool to see the swazicum seedlings growing over a period as you have documented here. The leaves are quite unique, the form reminds me of a palm tree. I am glad to see that they are tolerant of full sun once they are acclimated. This has given me some ideas for making a little room indoors!

Tracy

Goodness me Rick, you have the beginnings of a National Adenium Forest there, does the Canadian Government know of your plan? I certainly think they should be made aware, and soon!

They are growing so well for you, you really do know how to get the best from your plants, well done. They all look so healthy too, do you find you get many pest problems? My DR's used to get ravaged by RSM, but this year they are clear, however, growing indoors is not ideal I know, but hey they would just rot away in this awful UK weather. BTW, we're on for the wettest July since records began, had non stop rain today and the next four days...great :/

Gill UK

No plans for a forest yet, Gill. Although wouldn't be grand.

I have had problems briefly in the house/sunroom, but I do check regularly. Have to some times us End-All and rinse. Outside with them in the small greenhouse I have for them. I take the hose end w a mister on it and spray them every few days, just before the sun comes on them. Those pesky SM do not like moist or wet conditions.

Seems to work, but always checking.

Rick

Rick, it is not yet a forest, but soon to be...hehe...need help?

Marie

Hi Marie. If you had sai to me a few years back that I would be doing what I am now. I probably would not have thought so.

I always need help, Marie.

just cannot say no to new seed that comes available.

Now Jericson has shown me his beautiful specimens and it starts all over again. Not in a bad way. I just love seeing his trees.

Rick

Wow!!! Really nice seedlings. If I wasn't addicted before, I am now! Any suggestions for me of where to get the best seeds?

These are so incredibly cute and compact. I am a big fan of the varying foliages on these Rick. Have they flowered yet?

Tracy, No they have not flowered. They are 7mths old now. Hard to believe. May be a bit bigger if in Thailand or other site. They are supposed to be slow growers.

Lisa, I would go with Rinoa or Adeniums_ko. You will get good results. I think Ko has more of a selection for different species, but both are honest.

Nicholas started a thread. I believe it was "Response from Adenium_ko for ordering seeds."

I believe Tracy had the link in a post of hers. Not sure where?

Rick

I thought these were 2 1/2 yrs old, but you were referring to sun up stars. Still very cute, this is the first time I have seen the mini Adenium. They are quite unique.

Here is KO's site: http://www.adenium.com.tw/indexe.htm

Click on this link to his price list to view individual prices and each item on the price list has a link to the image.

Nicholas' post has the complete instructions for ordering from KO.

Tracy

Rick I had to come back to see your Swazicums again, they are so fun to look at. The minis are fun too.

Tracy

Tracy, I love them to. They are so cool, their leaves I,press me so much. It P..... me of, that I cannot just give them to people such as yourself or anyone else that likes them. This is what gardening has always been about for me. Sharing and being able to give back to so many that have done so for us in the past. Sorry, for my .........

Rick

By sharing on the forum you are giving back Rick. I would have not seen this magnificent species if it weren't for you. I've only seen them as they appear in the wild (in books and online), which has never truly done them justice. You have planted the seed, in time I will have my own ;)

Tracy

Those mini's are adorable! Are you doing anything special to help keep them small or do they just do it naturally.

Those are looking good Rick! They all look very healthy and happy.

I like those holders you have for the pots. I've been looking for those. The wind likes to drops some pots and plants.

Mark

Mark, The holders/trays are what the wholesale growers send out their flowers/annuals to retail nurseries in. At least here. I get the pots 2 1/4" and trays from. Nursery that puts together hanging flower baskets for different resorts and business's. They save them for me and I clean and use.

I have seen them for sale on the net from a supplier. Would be worth checking with a local nursery. I love them.

Rick

Mark, if you have a home depot nearby they recycle them and I'm sure would give them to you if you ask. Every time I go they have stacks of them on shelves waiting to be recycled. Like Rick said, they get their plants from the wholesaler like this.

Thanks so much for the info! Still have lots of growing time this season just so much to do! But looking at those pictures give me the initiative to get busy!

Gorgeous seddlings

Rick I forgot to ask, what mix are you using in your pots? (Sorry if this triple posts, this site hates my tablet)

Nicholas, My mix changes a bit. It depends on if having to get new elements. Sometimes I cannot get the same product.

I generally use Coconut husk chunks ( this differs occasionally if I have to get from a different source. Some bigger than others), Cherry Stone #2, Diatomite ( from Lordco or Napa, Floor dry), used to use Turface, but the particles seemed too small. Giving Diatomite a go, as a friend that has been growing Orchids and Hoyas really likes it.. Add a bit of screened compost and add the bigger pieces. A bit of gypsum.

Rick

Awesome! Thanks Rick and Nicholas. I have seen the trays but they are mostly for round pots. I will do some digging and find some square trays. :)

Mark

Thanks Rick. Seems like a lot of stuff to gather, I'm curious how much of it is available here.

I don't know what to say, Rick lol Quite a number of seedlings, eh. I'd probably need four more mugs of coffee to survey that many seedlings. But you did inspire me to walk out with a marker to keep track of what's what on my bench.

Pagan

Rick, healthy and well staged seedlings! I have never seen swazicum seeds for sale in Europe. A rarity around here, but I once had a seedling.

Martin, if I should come upon more I would have some, if you are inclined to try some? Really looking to get oliefolium seeds one day. Hoping for some multiflorum seeds of native variants if there are enough seeds.

Rick

Rick, You have a lovely forest of seedlings. I sure wish I could get my hands on additional specimen seeds. Your swazicum seedlings look so adorable and very healthy. Very nice.

I finally got my crispum seeds and will be planting them up tomorrow. I can hardly wait to see them grow. I suspect I will be wandering around my plastic tote drinking coffee and watching the soil for awhile. LOL. Seems like when you watch for things to happen it takes so long to really see something exciting. LOL. Heck I am STILL waiting for buds I have on my grafted plants to open. It is such a wonderful hobby. I cannot seem to get enough. ugh.

Thank you so much for sharing your photos. I love seeing what you are up to.

Ladylotus,

If we both keep an eye out, then we will be sure to find some cool species seeds, then we can share and maybe some to spare for someone else?

Rick

These are a few of my seedlings. Just reallyenjoy keeping an eye on these guys.

Obesum x Crispum (M. Dimmitt seed)

Left two: Obesum x Arabicum Right one: Arabicum x Obesum (M. Dimmitt seed)

Arabicum x Crispum (M. Dimmitt seed)

Arabicum Dwarf Soodah x self (M. Dimmitt seed)

Thai "Emerald Bracelet" (JK Adenium seed) (3)

Thai "MKMK" (Maungkong Marrakot) (JK Adenium seed) (1 in middle)

First & Second: "Plastic x Mini Brokoli, Third: Obesum seedling "Prominent"

Enjoy walking around looking at them.

Rick

You have such a broad variety, Rick. I could look at them all day comparing their traits with one another. I am amazed by how many seedlings you can actually fit in your cold frame. The mini hybrids are so unique. Thanks for posting your seedlings, I am really enjoying them.

Tracy

Your mini brocolli look yummy, Rick. How big do they get when mature?

Pagan

Pagan, I do like them, but they are not growing true. They are supposed to stay short with many lateral branches like the bottom of them is. Just going to watch and see how they do.

I keep thinking about your beautiful chubby seedling from Mark's seed. So glad that one turned out like this. It really makes you more aware, that all of these Adenium species/variants/hybrids cannot be expected to give what a particular pod or pollen parent has as charteristics.

Nice to see that some do come close if not the same though.

Rick

Rick, they may not be chubby but they look fantastic anyway. Nice ramnification. Do you know Mark Dimmitt personally??

No Martin. I do not know Mark personally. I was very fortunate to get seeds through wonderful lady in Australia, who does know him. Always on the watch for unique seeds.

I am quite pleased so far with their development, just hope I can keep them going this fall/winter.

May need to use lights on them. Going to ask a question of you on your thread.

Rick

Worldwide networking can do wonderful things. ;-)

Rick, what top dressing do you use for your Adeniums? Coconut fibres/husks? Or what is that brown bark-like stuff in the containers? I have been searching for something similiar around here, but I am not sure what it is I want to buy. ;-)

Martin, yes it is Coconut husk chunks. It seems when I find them, I never buy enough and when I go back to get more. They either do not have them or using a different supplier. The last few times I have purchased from a Pet store here (Petsmart). Big chain store. They sell them for reptile bedding.

I would like to find a supplier with some that is all uniform in size. I tried fir bark for Orchids. I find that the bark is too hard to get it to absorb water once it dries back. Use it for my Hoya's.

I am experimenting with a product in my mix that a friend grows his Orchids and Hoya's with. It is Diatomite. Comes from a auto parts store here called Floor Dry. He shares by it. Trying this product, as I have been using Turface and have not been overly happy with what I see when unpotting a tree. Not sure whether I had used too much Turface or too small of particles?

We will see.

Martin, so do LED lights require less hydro to operate? Might be a silly question.

Rick

Rick, somehow I forgot this thread! :-(

Small coconut husks are hard to find here. I ordered something which said "coconut husks" but this was no good. It was more like cocopeat. I think I will try "pine bark", then. I want something hard as top dressing.

By "less hydro" you mean watering? My water schedule hastn't changed. I water all plastic containers once a day. That is to say the seedlings under T5HO's as well as the seedlings under the LED panel.

Martin I an curious when you say watering daily, do you mean every single plant? Are you drenching them when you do water? Why so frequent I wonder? Are they constantly wet?

Tracy

Tracy, yes, every single plant. I wouldn't say I "drench them" but I give them a good spill of water so that the containers feel slightly heavy. They never go bone dry. For fast growth, treat Adeniums as tropicals - but only as long as you can provide enough light and heat. That's crucial. As you know, you will end up with rotting and/or etiolated plants.

Remember, adeniums in nature grow during the summer rainy season. That is why tropical Asia is a perfect place for adenium growing (we all know the rapid growth of adeniums in Thai horticulture).

Yes I agree, I live in Northern Australia which is very close to indonesia and very hot tropical and humad climate. We have temps that never go below 32 degress and up to 45 degress with anywhere from 60-90% humidity everyday. I have my desert roses in half perlite half cactus dirt mix. They are in full sun all day everyday and I water everyday. They seem to love it and lots of flowers. Although we do have issues with aphids and mealy bugs here :/

Can any one suggest source for Mark Dimmitt seeds? He got many wild collected plants from different locations