These websites are inspiring. I am training a few.

OFF TOPIC....Instructions needed

I wish to go back and correct a typo in my opening post, but I see no "edit" or "delete" option. Also, how can one edit/correct the thread-title if an error in wording/spelling is discovered after the thread has been posted?

Thanks for the help.

Frank

On the right of the comment box are the edit and delete options

Stuart....

I only see the "edit/delete" option in my subsequent posting...but those options are not displayed in my first posting. That's why I'm confused. What am I missing?

Thanks for helping.

Frank

My apologies to forum members....

I should have done a search before opening this topic. I see that this method of training Adenium "towers", has already been covered by prior postings.

Frank

Hello Frank, your editing query is a valid one I think. I've just looked at one if my threads I started last Monday Nov 2nd, it appears I cannot edit the first opening post, but ones made later that same day, I can still alter! I'm not certain how long the edit button remains active. However, I was not aware that you could edit the title at any point though, maybe someone will correct me if wrong? You can always hop to the test forum and have a go.....

No need to apologise about the 'towers' already having been mentioned previously......so have most of the other topics at some point! It happens:)

You used to post on the plumeria forum a couple of years ago, correct, I'm certain I recalled seeing you there?

Gill UK

Can i still post a few pics in this (old) topic?

Please do Stuart, you know how much we like to see pics on here and it's especially so at this time of the year when most of us in cooler climates (I won't mention the ones who have the all singing all dancing grow tents like some members have, lol!) have little going on, so, the more the merrier in my opinion. As I said, subjects do the rounds on the forum, your pics are what you are experimenting with at the moment.....so why not? Go for it.......

Gill UK

Thanks Gill, I have learned a lot from this forum.

Wow, that looks interesting. How do you keep the root that's now above soil level from drying out too much, do/are you spraying it? Would it affect the roots ability to keep the plant alive and grow deeper into the soil if it got too dry do you think? I like the ingenuity of folks on here, all this experimenting is very addictive. It's amazing what you can do with things found in the house, no fancy equipment to pay for in this instance.

Gill UK

I don't spraying the root. Put the plant 1 week in half shade. Then moving it slowly into full sun. You can see the exposed root become thicker after a week or more. The root under the soil will also be thicker and new roots will form also. One time i was pulling the plant to much becaus the root was not straight so the root cut under the soil and i place the root back in and it is still growing.

Greenclaws-

Thanks for the update. I thought I was losing my mind looking around for the editing option - that doesn't exist. What a ridiculous format. The older style Garden Web, for me, was much easier to use. I still don't know how to contact any posting members directly, and, privately.

Anyway, yes, I post on a few plant forums, and my attention-span for most plants is very short. Adenium one week, Plumera the next, yada, yada, yada. I try them all. So far, most successful with caudex plants like Cyphostemma, Bursera, and Operculicarya. Much easier not to kill, than Adenium. Adenium proved to be my all time, triumph I managed to kill off all my plants within one season! A record for me.

Now, the Adenium bug done bit me again. I'm ordering some seeds from Mr. Ko. This "tower" thing has me intrigued. I have to try it with some seedling plants.

Frank

Frank, do you have a list of caudex plants seeds from good ebay sellers.

I like to try some other caudex plants too.

Stuart-

Sorry, I do not have a list. If you want to buy some easy plants, you could try:

Out of Africa Plants

Grigsby Cactus Garden

Great Petaluma Desert

Arid Lands Nursery

Botanic Wonders

Bonsai Collectibles

Rare Flora

Ted's Exotic Cactus and Succulents

These growers sell Cyphostemma juttae, Operculicarya decaryii/pachypus, Bursera fagaroides, and some other very interesting fat-plants. most of these plants are unkillable unless you really screw up. Culture could not be easier. Basically, grow them, and water them throughout the warmer months, and rest the plants through winter.

You could also look through postings on the Cactus and Succulent forum for photos and more extensive cultural information regarding specific plants.

In my climate... NYC/Zone-7 the growing season is too short, hot, and humid. In other areas where weather is hotter and drier, it's easier. It's been three years, and my plants are still alive and GROWING FATTER.....so, I must be doing something right!

Of the three species that I mentioned, the Bursera fagaroides is about as fool-proof as possible, and grows very quickly into a fat blob, tree. I like it because i have to trim it from time to time and it gives me something to do. The Cyphostemma looks like something from out of Jurassic Park, but will take forever to grow larger when planted into in a container.

Have fun hunting around for plants.

Mesa Gardens lists some seeds. Germination can be difficult with these plants. I recommend buying plants.

Hope this helps.

Frank

Also baobab seeds. I only order adenium seeds from ebay adeniumcenter but i dont know if the other seeds are trustworthy.

Try: "Sacred Succulents" for Baobab seeds....they list most species.

Thanks Frank

Happy to help.

Frank

Back on topic....

Can anyone venture a guess just how long it takes to train Adenium in this "tower" style. It's gotta take many, many, years, especially in the cooler climate areas with shorter growing seasons. I bet these trees are long-term projects.

Frank

Hi Frank,

In my climate we have the whole year full sun and rain.

To speed up the process use once a week a weakly dosage liquid fertilizer.

Some pictures of seedlings sowed in july 2015 and transplanted 2 times until now. every time when transplanting i exposed the roots an inch or more.

I think my plants will reach in a year time mayby 50 cm.

Stuart-

Love that crazy Marquis de Sade corset that you strapped on that poor baby Adenium seedling. :))

Frank

Sexy, LOL

Is it a good idea to pich of the top for more braching or will it slow down the root grow?

Hi Stuart-

Thanks for the photo tutorial.

So.....the newly exposed section of the skinny tap-root will now begin to turn green, thicken, and eventually becoming the lower portion of the trunk? Will you then remove all the Styrofoam collars at some point, exposing- the next section of the tap root- but leaving the very tip of the tap root buried beneath the mix?

It's just an amazing, training technique and to see this process is a real eye-opener.

Thanks for sharing. Good luck.

Frank

When you reached your goal you can do root training or let it grow it self.

These are my first tower style adeniums.

In january 2015 I started with adeniums so i am not an expert.

Yes you have to remove the styrofoam

Stuart-

Try: SILVERHILL SEEDS in South Africa....they ship worldwide. I'll keep looking.

Frank

Thanksssss Frank

Stuart-

Also try looking through the Bihrmann's Caudex web-site to see thousands of different caudex-forming plants. Look into finding the seeds for Moringa ovalifolia; M. drouhardii, M. olifera all produce a huge caudex if grown hard, and dry. Grow them wet, and you get a tree....grow them dry, you get a caudex....and the seeds are easy to germinate/easily found. Mesa Gardens lists seeds for caudex succulents, Adenium species, Moringa, etc.

Good luck on your quest for plants and seeds.

Frank

I dont know if they will send the seeds to Suriname Frank

Frank, I will look on ebay for Moringa ovalifolia cause we have an ebay shipping agent here.

ManyThanks for the many sellers.

Stuart-

Try ordering. Most seeds come in a plain envelope. Maybe you will get lucky.

Frank

Good to know Frank

While reading through some older threads, I came across this topic. What's been presented here is an excellent photo montage, together with an easily understood tutorial provided by Stuart, et al.

While looking through all the posted photos, it occurred to me these specific methods that are used to train Adenium "towers" - especially the root stretching methods - can be used to train other caudex forming plants, e.g. Fockea edulis, Pachypodiums, Jatropha podagrica....and of course, other hybrid/species of Adenium....Thai Socotranum comes to mind. But, I could be totally wrong in these speculations, but it might be worth trying with some other plant material. A taller arabicum, with fantastic rootage might be a goal for some growers.

Of course, this specialized training should start with seedlings so that roots can be controlled from the start.

Just some thoughts.

Frank

Frank. I don't have other plant material to try toot training. I can't find online sellers for other caudex forming plants, e.g. Fockea edulis, Pachypodiums, Jatropha podagrica seeds.

Stuart...

Sorry that you can't find a good seed supplier. The plants mentioned are all easily started from seeds. Try: Silver Hill Seeds, S. Africa, and Seeds Collector/India. There is also a very big seed supplier.... I think they are located in Ecuador. I will try to find more suppliers, and pass on the information to you.

Frank

Tower progress. these pics are from May 2016. Maybe you can recognize from a few months ago?

obesum tower style · More Info

obesum tower style · More Info

obesum tower style · More Info

obesum tower style · More Info

obesum tower style · More Info

obesum tower style · More Info

obesum tower style · More Info

obesum tower style · More Info

obesum tower style · More Info

obesum tower style · More Info

Nice work Stuart. The progress is impressive.

Wow!!! Very interesting to see how, in just a few months, your training techniques have really stretched that fancy "carrot"! Can't wait to see these plants as they age and morph into tower-like Trees. Great work and great photos.

BTW, did you pinch out the top terminal buds to induce branching?

Frank

To be honest I can't say that I like these styles Stuart, but I do admire you for pushing the boundaries like this. It makes the forum much more intriguing and varied. There's already some good progress on your trials and it will be interesting to keep following them through at regular intervals so please do carry on updating us. They are certainly interesting to see and learn about what can be done even if it's not to my own personal taste, but then it doesn't really matter if we admire different things does it? :)

Gill UK

Gill UK. Thank you for your interest. I will keep you updated.

Frank. Yes I did pinch off the top from the plants.

Tracy. You are welcome into my towers. Lol

I agree with Gill, they are like Frankenstein's but still interesting to see how smooth or bumpy the caudex gets after it really starts to age.