Heehee, the first new pic is the same hideous Adenium that in the earlier pics I 'found' its caudex! (Just shows that even if you think a seedling is ugly now, it may turn into something beautiful like this! Although I didn't think it was ugly at the time!)I think I chopped the top of it the next day after the pic was taken. My Adeniums seem to have branched with out any help but I think I took the top off most when they where about 2-3 months old, but only did about six to try and judge what was the best option, (to chop or not). As for my results, I'd say that the side branches grow faster and larger if you remove the middle one and when they are the age mine are they look nicer because they are more even. I will try and find some pics that show this. In summer I watered them everyday as they dried out everyday (I had them in full outdoor sun), and fertilized them with liquid cacti and succulent food once a week. Otherwise I don't know what made them branch, but the ones I raise from seed myself often branch quite early. Please remember that although I have done a lot of online research into growing Adeniums my oldest is just over a year old so I am no expert! Thanks deanie and kaktuskris, I've put a lot of effort in to my babies so its nice to have them admired :P. And deanie your babies will get there, I have no doubt yours will be just as nice! I couldn't find any pics that show good chopped/non chopped Adenium examples but here are some group photo's anyway that might be interesting to some :P. I haven't chopped the top off any of the younger ones (except for a few that had mites earlier) as it is winter here now. Eeeppppp, its so exciting sharing these pics with people all around the world whole love adeniums just like me!!! And I love seeing other people photo's too. So post away everyone!

I bought the seeds from several different places. I bought two native wildflower seed mixes that didn't specify which species were included - I bought one of those from some box store like Lowe's or Home Depot and one from a local native plant nursery. I also bought seed packets of particular species (Clarkia unguiculata, Collinsia heterophylla, and Erysimum capitatum) from Everwilde Farms. When I buy actual plants instead of seeds, I usually buy them from local native plant nurseries. You can use the California Native Plant Link Exchange to find nurseries near you that sell native plants and to find plants that are native to your local area. Here is a link that might be useful: California Native Plant Link Exchange

Plantmaven: a few hours and 2 cans of krylon and you can have a rainbarrel almost any color under the sun. I also use (for clients) a local company that paints their barrels slightly differently. They use a krylon primer but then paint the barrel - exactly matching the house and they make nifty custom risers for the barrels too. This works well for my clients in historic districts or those with HOA's. I wish I could get a nicer riser for mine. Even just the right size cement without mish-mashing a bunch of odd pieces. If they all looked flat and plain I could simply paint them out purple to match! Schoolhouse, there is some way you are supposed to crank (or whatever) the hinges on these gates to tighten them, however I have no tool or knowledge of how to do that (I guess I should google it!!!). The posts stayed up well, it's just the silly hardware.

Mine is in its first year too. It tried to die and I was kicking myself for allowing the buds to open when it arrived. It has sent up new gowth. Whew. Does your bloom have fragrance? So pretty.