skip to main content

Florida Gardening Adenium

First Adenium Questions

tannatonk23_fl_z9a

last year

Why have i never owned one of these gorgeous plants before now? After 60+ years of playing in the dirt….

I am in northeast Florida on the coast. Hot and humid, rainy and intense sun. These guys will live on the lanai unless temps drop below 50*F. I have a deep sunny windowsill they can live on in cooler weather.

i spotted this sad looking plant on the clearance rack in a big box store, brought it home and repotted it after a bit of research. It looks so much happier now.

My question is should i always repot a desert rose when its purchased from a big box store? i found another one this past weekend. At least this one looks so much healthier.

Here is first purchase after a few weeks of care.

And here is newest one below below. I’m wondering if I need to repot it.

Thanks for any help.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

katiedolittle
last year
you know these plants are like dope you can not get just one or two
tannatonk23_fl_z9a
Original Author
last year
I agree and will have to temper my urges. i tend to get obsessed with pretty things 😀

I think I will go ahead with a repot on the new one. I have another clay pot that is a bit wider and shallower. As i mentioned, adenium is new to me, but gardening is not. I’ve always repotted periennials that were in nursery grow pots which gives me a good look at roots.
Related Discussions
I bought my first Adenium
Q
Comments (14)
Hi Kirk and Laura, thanks for the input. I decided to pot up today. I bare-rooted the plant and raised it slightly to expose more of the Caudex. Hi Mark, to answer your question, I bought it at a small garden center in Cd. Juarez. Are you familiar with Juarez? I could tell you where it is at. I also saw similar plants at the HD in Juarez, but they were a bit more expensive there. I saw some larger Adenium plants at the Walmart near Airway Blvd. in El Paso in the spring, I have not been back there since May so not sure if they still have them. That Walmart usually carries really nice, large succulents in the Spring, just FYI. Hi Marie and Thank You!
...See More
My First Adenium flower.
Q
Comments (17)
Lol somehow I think the flowers and the names are getting changed around depending on the who is selling it. Good thing for me is I love the color no mater what it's called. So here are the photos of the part I am concerned about. this flower opened on the other growing tip yesterday afternoon you can see how the flower and buds are distorted and some leaves are mottled and distorted. I am hoping like Rick said it's just getting itself back to growing but did notice that the first leaves that grew on this branch looked normal.
...See More
Adenium obesum 'Magic Elf' first flower!
Q
Comments (11)
If anyone is interested in how Magic Elf flowers age, here is the same flower after 3 days. It has faded somewhat and continued to open a little wider. I really like how the lines in the darker portions of the petals have become more pronounced. I split this flower and attempted to collect pollen, and to self pollinate it, but as I suspected, the slight hint of double petals in the throat had deformed the anthers so there was in effect no pollen to speak of. I'll be checking other flowers later as they open to see if they produce pollenbetter. Some varieties simply do not.
...See More
My first bareroot adenium
Q
Comments (6)
jstropic, That stub does look like a root cut off the side of caudex. I would slice that stub flush with the caudex w a alcohol sanitized razor blade. It will clean it up and also get rid of the chopped look it has. Looks like a very rough cut or break of a root. The rough open end is only a place for fungus to grow. Looks to have been planted prior where it shows Cream color beneath soil and silver/green above. Best to plant at this level, No deeper. Plant it up right away and water. Keep it in filtered sunlight for a few days to get it acclimatized. You may notice the leaves drop from being shipped with them intact. Rick
...See More
Ben(8b/9a north FL)
last year
well.... depends on how you grow succulents in your environment.

These two plants are most likely adeniums obesum seedling grafted with a piece from a hybridized plant that has been bred to produce better quality flowers.

These plants are native to sub-saharan Africa and love the full sun all day long and dry heat of summer with plenty of food and water. The conventional wisdom of growing culture is to water and feed them like a tomato plant in full growth during their growth cycle and keep them dry-er and warm in colder months (above 40 degrees).

The mix they are in from commercial growers has substantial amount of slow release or controlled release fertilizer, at least all the ones I have bought have plenty and soil should be fast draining. Fast draining = water poured into pot will run out from bottom of pot almost instantaneously. If water sits in pot and takes few minutes to run out from bottom then you should repot with looser material.

You do not need to change soil if you can manage the watering, they do not want to sit in water for any length of time, as they will rot. If you keep them wet and cold, they will rot.

Some growers use different species of adenium to hybridize for smaller plants.

here is a pics of some of adeniums from way back when, all in clay pots for increased aeration

and I have posted pictures of some of blooming adeniums here.
tannatonk23_fl_z9a thanked Ben(8b/9a north FL)

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Considering a Fixer-Upper? 15 Questions to Ask First

By Sarah Phipps Design

Learn about the hidden costs and treasures of older homes to avoid budget surprises and accidentally tossing valuable features

MOST POPULAR First Things First: How to Prioritize Home Projects

By Alison Hodgson

What to do when you’re contemplating home improvements after a move and you don't know where to begin

MOST POPULAR 8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer

By Kelli Kaufer Designs

Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start

REMODELING GUIDES 13 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself Before Tackling a Renovation

By Affecting Spaces Design Studio

No one knows you better than yourself, so to get the remodel you truly want, consider these questions first

Easy Green: 6 Must-Answer Questions Before You Buy

By Laura Gaskill

Thinking about buying ecofriendly furniture? For a truly environmentally conscious home, ask yourself these questions first

BASEMENTS Want to Rent Out Your Basement? 6 Questions to Ask

By Nicole Jacobs

Tapping your subterranean space can help you bring in extra monthly income. Here’s what to consider first

TASTEMAKERS 5 Questions for Heath's Adam Silverman

By Vanessa Brunner

A studio director brings out-of-the-ordinary dinnerware and home accessories to Heath Ceramics' showrooms. See where he goes for inspiration

WORKING WITH PROS 10 Questions to Ask Potential Contractors

By Ventana Construction LLC

Ensure the right fit by interviewing general contractors about topics that go beyond the basics

ORGANIZING Pre-Storage Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Store

By Laura Gaskill

Wait, stop. Do you really need to keep that item you’re about to put into storage?

LIFE World of Design: Discoveries of 10 First-Time Homeowners

See how people around the globe have shaped their starter houses and made them their own

Sponsored

Studio M Design Co

We believe that great design should be accessible to everyone

More Discussions

Diagnosing problems with firespike in Sarasota

5

2024 January : upload your photos of first blooms of season

19

Rats in the garden ID?

6

Garden plans for 2024?

6

New Blooms Feb./Mar.

26