Product Description:
Plant lovers are always looking for easy to grow, unique plants with a fun aspect. Adenium desert rose plants are perfect specimens for the intrepid or novice gardener. These east African and Arabian natives are wonderful in the interior container garden or as warm climate additions to the patio display. The desert rose (Adenium obesum) is a slow-growing plant, only growing about 12 inches per year. It is an incredibly beautiful plant. The colors of the flowers of this shrub were particularly attractive. Adenium can be found in shades of white, pink and red.
Light:
In their native habitat, adeniums grow in full sun so they need good light to thrive. Direct sunlight is preferable, especially when they are in their active growth phase during the summer months.
Soil:
Adenium plants are commonly grown in pots and so soil should be carefully selected. Adenium soil mixture must have good water retention, drainage and airing. Casa De Amor Organic adenium potting soil is a prefect soil.
Water:
The desert rose plant has varying water requirements depending on the time of year and temperature. During its growing season (late spring and summer), keep its soil moist but never saturated. Check on the soil periodically and allow it to dry out completely before watering.
Temperature and Humidity:
Keep your plant in warm temperatures at all times—it will die quickly if exposed to prolonged temperatures cooler than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It thrives best at temperatures between 65 and 90 degrees. If you’ve planted your desert rose outdoors, it will not likely survive any prolonged frost. Humidity is not important to the desert rose because it is accustomed to a dry, hot climate.
Fertilizer:
During the growing season, it is a good idea to provide a light feeding of a slow-release fertilizer, or a water-soluble liquid fertilizer from time-to-time. In the springtime when the plant is rousing from its winter rest, you can give a diluted feeding once every couple of weeks. During summer, reduce this to once a month.
Propagating a Desert Rose:
Desert rose can be grown from branch cuttings and seeds. If you grow the plant from a branch cutting, the next plant might not have a characteristic bulbous trunk that it would if you propagate from seed.
- Before you get started, have these items on hand: garden gloves, sterilized pruners, rooting hormone a clean pot, and a well-draining potting mix.
- Because the sap of this plant is toxic, put on garden gloves. Using your pruning snips, take a 5- to 6-inch cutting from the tip of a branch.
- Allow the cutting to dry out for a day or two.
- Wet the cut end and dip it in rooting hormone.
- Plant the cut end into a well-draining growing medium like perlite or sand mixed with potting soil.
- Water the cutting daily; however, make sure the water drains out of the soil. The cutting should take root in about two to six weeks.
- After six weeks, you should notice new growth, or if you try to tug at the stem gently, it should feel rooted in place.
Potting and Repotting a Desert Rose:
When repotting a succulent, make sure the soil is completely dry before gently removing the plant from the pot. Knock away old soil from the roots and remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. If you make any cuts or notice bruises, you can topically apply a fungicide or antibacterial solution.
Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting mix, spreading the roots out as you repot. Let the plant dry for a week or so to reduce the shock to the plant. After a week, water the plant but make sure water drains thoroughly. Do not let the plant sit in standing water or soggy soil.
