How Are My Obesum Seedlings Doing?
I wanted to spend as little as possible with my little foray into Adeniums, so I got a mix of 10 seeds from an Ebay seller. I sowed five and only one germinated and then stalled. I tried again and got three (and a straggler) on the second try. Each took a week or more to germinate.
Someone on this forum was a little concerned with earlier photos. I didn't see much of a problem, but have since learned that I was using too much light for my mesemb and cactus seedlings after getting a better grow light. So I wanted to see what you guys think, since I don't have a good feel for what these should look like at this point.
At a week.
Little later.
Same plants at the same time at different angles to show the leaf on the left one is intact.
These are from tonight after around five weeks. A new one had since come in.
Straggler!
I hope I didn't stunt their growth by blasting them with light or anything. I know they like full sun as adults. I also don't know if fresher seeds will necessarily yield better plants. I know a week or more is on the long side. Let me know how they look to you. I'm out of seeds, so I hope they're OK.
Comments (10)
Peter Newcastle Aust spider mite breeder
5 years agoJeff (5b) thanked Peter Newcastle Aust spider mite breederRelated Discussions
2 week old Adenium Obesum Seedlings!
Comments (7)Rick, Thank you! I have already noticed some small differences. The first one that grew developed a reddish hue on the stem. I believe there are only one or two more with this trait right now. Bill, I plan on keeping 4 of them. And selling the rest, once I see them flower...which means it may be 2 or 3 years before that happens! I will also most likely trade them or give them away c: What are your plans? Which blooms will yours have? My blooms will look similar to these or a variation of these two......See More2 month old Adenium Obesum seedlings
Comments (7)They are so cute! From my experience with adenium seedlings (I have about 50, the oldest are about nine months old the youngest about a week and all ages in between) the just all grow at different rates. I have one that is one and a half months old and is the size of a one week old but is on its four pair of leaves! The leaves are tiny too. And right next to it is its sister that is about four times bigger! They are so exciting to grow aren't they, do you know what the flower will be like on yours?...See MoreSeedling Adenium Obesum in Shallow Tray
Comments (7)Hi plant_junkie, Thanks. It's actually only one plant from May 8th through today. I don't pay any attention to age. It really doesn't mean anything. I can overfeed a seedling in shade and in 6 months time it could be 18" tall. I can give minuscule amounts of ferts in full sun and the same aged plant may only be 3" tall over that same time period. randy...See MoreAdenium obesum seedlings - watering
Comments (8)Hi there, well firstly I'm no adenium expert but I have been able to grow 3 to just over 3yrs old and one to 2 yrs old from seeds here in the less than tropical conditions of the UK. Saying that, I have lost far more than are surviving at present...haha!! I found the site below very useful in helping me out along with folks here on the plumie and cactus&succ forums. Very young seedlings can take a lot more water than older plants which should be treated as cacti in the winter...very little water if at all, through to tropicals in the summer months...taking up rather more water than you would imagine. Apart from when thay are germinating the soil should drain as fast as water is put onto it really, the faster the better, never let them sit in wet saucers. My last batches of seeds failed miserably, I think that was due to old seeds from ebay, but I have yet to find them for sale as seed or plants here in the UK except for one plant I saw several years ago which was too dear. Here's a pic of mine for you to see. One of the bigger 3yr old plants made buds last year and the year before in late summer early autumn but they all aborted before they developed fully. Our season is so short and we dont get prolonged high temps sadly....but its fun trying!! Here is a link that might be useful: adenium info...See MoreJeff (5b)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
That straggler was an imposter--Pink Polka Dot Plant. I had one in the basement (where I grow seeds) that must have gone to seed and somehow ended up there. Strangest surprise ever.
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoHi, Jeff! Your little brood looks gorgeous and healthy. You'll want to keep an eye on the one with the brownish edged cotyledon (embryonic) leaves to make sure they don't get crispy. That would mean too much direct heat. But that looks like healthy, natural coloration to me ... You're doing great.
In terms of germination and cultivation in general, what may work in Hawaii, may not work in Nebraska. They are very different cultures with their own requirements. When I first started germinating seeds, I was advised to cover my seeds with saran wrap overnight and to uncover during the day. This roasted my seeds, kept them soggy, and killed them because I am in an already hot and humid climate. That technique is for dry, low humidity regions. Identify a few forum members within your region and keep in contact with them. Adjusting your growing practices to your specific climate and culture will provide the best results.
Seedlings need lots of sunlight, air circulation, a quick draining substrate, and lots of warmth ... 82+ degrees F. Unlike adult adeniums they love water and can be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. That can be 3-5 times a week, depending on climate and substrate. After age 1 month, they like to be fed weekly at 1/4 strength. You can feed monthly if you don't have time. I do not recommend using time release granules that go in the soil ... These can burn the roots on tender seedlings.
Germination in cooler climates requires the use of artificial heat when the temps are below 82. Use a heat mat for germinating adenium seeds. Bottom heat promotes root formation and germination. Unless you're in the tropics, I recommend soaking your seed 2 hours in lukewarm water before sowing. Adenums are surface sown ... lay flat on your substrate and just barely cover, don't bury your seeds. They usually germinate within 3-14 days, with the average being 6 days. Some have reported long germination periods of even 28 days.
Your first batch of seeds may not have been fresh. The viability of adenium seeds diminishes with time. I purchased fresh seeds in September and planted them in February ... only half of them germinated. Your best bet for seeds is right here on the forum. Many members share freshly harvested seeds from seed pods produced by their plants. Keep an eye out. I have a seed pod growing right now ... My first successful cross! If all goes well, I will reach out to you in a few months when I harvest. If you purchase on eBay, try Mr. KO ... He is a reputable hybridizer.
One thing to note is that adenium seeds are not true to parent and seldom give you what you expect. To demonstrate, I planted 3 seeds for this KO_57 bloom:
Here's what I got:
All different blooms from the same seed! What I am saying is that you can basically buy any KO seed, plant all 15 in the pack and get several variations of the parent plant's DNA.
Even seeds from the same seed pod will produce different variations of the bloom. These are from the same seed pod:
They're like sibling ... from the same family but not twins. Here's another group from the same seed pod:
Enjoy your new hobby ... They grow on you!
Maria Elena
PS: Your "straggler" had me LMAO!!!!
katiedolittle
5 years agoMaria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a)
5 years agoJeff (5b)
5 years agoMaria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoI sow my seeds in styro egg cartons for their individual cells ... Just cut off the lid and punch holes in the bottom. They stay in there a full month to give them all a chance to germinate. At this point the roots are just fine hairs with a central root.
At 1 month, they move into yogurt cups, which are perfect for the next three months. These cups are tall and allow the roots room to grow. As you can see, each seedling will grow at its own rate according to its DNA.
Here is the progression of my four Roger seedlings ... I gave one away:
March 2016
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May 2016 - Except for the one front left:
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Adenium Obesum NOID "RG" - Double pink & white · More InfoJune 2016 - Out of the yogurt cups:
Once they reach 4 months, I transplant them into 3 - 4" pots according to their root system ... Some will be larger than others. Some will have one root, others three roots, etc.
June 2016 - In 4" pots
From there, I pretty much pot up to 6" / 8" etc as the need arises. You want to keep adeniums in as little soil as possible so you have less chance of wet soil / rot. A good practice is to keep the pot size to where you have an inch all the way around the widest part of the root mass, not the caudex. That allows sufficient room for growth. Keep the root mass buried underground for an entire three years, which is official maturity age ... Before that, they are referred to as "seedlings," then "young plants." This gives your roots time to grow big. If you raise the roots above ground too soon, the smaller ones (which can potentially grow large) will atrophy and die off.
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October 2016 - In 6" pots
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2018 - In 8" pots
Maria Elena
Jeff (5b)
5 years agoMaria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoYes, full sun ... Outdoors 24/7 from age 1 month, fertilized weekly/weakly 1/ strength. Be careful with birds plucking them up to build their nests with!
Sharing root photos that may interest you. This one is the root system of a cutting at age 3 yrs. No caudex, but nice roots:
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These are centipede roots, created when the seedlings were about 5 months old:
Maria Elena
Jeff (5b) thanked Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a)
Candice (Houston)