Adenium plant description. Adenium - an exotic desert rose grown at home
Adenium (desert rose)- an unusual plant, which in European areas is considered very exotic due to its atypical external characteristics. Adenium obesum is a succulent with leathery leaves grafted onto oleander shoots. The bright green leaves have an pointed shape with rounded ends.
The leaves themselves are slightly curved and have a length of 8 to 15 cm. The indoor adenium flower is a fairly compact tree with a very fleshy trunk and small growth compared to a wild plant.
The flower grows very slowly, which is why you need to be patient to grow it. This plant can be distinguished by its very characteristic caudex (large thickening in the lower part of the trunk). The bark of adenium is quite smooth to the touch, has a grayish color, which, however, can change to brownish or gray-green, depending on local conditions. Particular attention is drawn to the roots, often protruding from the ground.
Typically, root weaves and thickenings take on an original shape and form an important part of the overall appearance of the tree, making it unique. Flowering of this plant begins after 2 – 4 years of cultivation. Most often, this takes 4 years. Before inflorescences appear on the trunk, the plant goes through a stage of the single appearance of rare flowers and leaves.
The colors of the flowers are varied, from white-pink and purple to violet. The inflorescences, which are very atypical for such fleshy woody varieties, give the plant a special exoticism. Adenium inflorescences cover the entire upper part of the trunk and are quite large.
The color range of their petals starts from light crimson. The bases of the petals are always lighter than the tips. Each individual flower has 5 petals that flow into a small tube. In total, adenium blooms for several months a year. However, if the environment is as favorable as possible, flowering can continue all year round. The description of adenium may differ depending on the plant variety, since this family is unusually diverse.
Types and varieties of adenium: photos and descriptions of some varieties
The plant belongs to the Arosupaceae (Kutrovaceae) family.
There are about 50 different varieties of adenium, with some differences in the appearance and overall development of the plant. However, not all types of adenium are used for domestic cultivation, and most of them remain exclusively wild plants. Below is a description of some of them.
Adenium crispum
This plant can be distinguished by its very unusual oblong and very narrow leaves. Each leaf of this species has a wavy surface, especially noticeable at the edges of the leaf body. The stem thickening is mostly located underground, which is also not entirely common for representatives of this genus.
The photo shows that this type of adenium has very original inflorescences, the base of which is painted yellow-white, and the edges of the petals are a very rich crimson color:
In the center of each petal you can see several longitudinal stripes of the same color as the outer part of the flower.
Adenium multiflora or multiflorum
Among the varieties of adenium, this one is distinguished by its shape, which is more akin to a shrub than to a tree-like plant. This feature is due to the large number of thin, very highly branched shoots.
This species begins to bloom at the beginning of winter and is distinguished by a large number of inflorescences. Each flower has a diameter of about 5 - 7 cm. The border of the petals is painted in a very bright dark crimson color, the base is white.
Adenium obesum or obese
This species differs in many ways from most of its other brethren. The base of the trunk of this species is about 1 m wide, and is much thicker than the two previous trees.
Branching begins at the very top of the trunk. The leaves are leathery, gray-green in color and quite sparsely scattered throughout the crown. The length of each individual leaf is usually no more than 10 cm.
In total, this species reaches approximately 1.5 m in height. This plant blooms preferably in summer. The inflorescences are small, each individual flower reaches 4–6 cm in diameter.
Adenium Mini Size
As you can see from the photo, this variety of adenium is ideally suited for growing indoors - its height is only 12 - 17 cm.
Adenium arabic
A feature of this species is the ability to grow up to 4 m in height. The species is also distinguished by the largest leaves in the genus - sometimes they reach up to 20 cm in length and 12 cm in width. True, this happens in the case of ideal climatic conditions. In a less favorable environment, this species becomes a low shrub plant.
Most of its thickened base goes almost completely underground, and the branching begins quite low. Arabic adenium blooms in early spring, after awakening from hibernation. However, individual flowers may appear sporadically throughout the year. The color of the flowers is bright pink.
Adenium swazicum
Another type of shrub-like adenium. The photo shows that the home adenium flower is no more than 30 cm tall, but taller specimens are also bred through selection (up to 65 cm):
From the thickening of this plant several branches grow, forming a wide crown at their ends. The stems may hang over the pot as they usually grow somewhat horizontally.
The tree does not hibernate and, with proper care, remains evergreen. The flowers do not have the color transitions characteristic of adenium and are completely colored in one tone (usually light pink).
The tree is native to countries such as South Arabia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. In its homeland, when developing in a tree’s natural environment, it can reach 3 m in height. At the same time, when caring for adenium at home, it will not be possible to obtain a height greater than 50–60 cm, since it is very difficult to bring the plant’s living conditions closer to natural ones.
How to stimulate adenium flowering: location and temperature
Growing and caring for adenium at home is not a very painstaking task, but still requires some attention, since this plant is not accustomed to being in temperate latitudes. In order for a flower to grow and develop properly, it is important to take into account factors such as the location of the plant, watering and fertilization, temperature and many others.
Important to remember that caring for an adenium flower at home requires some care, since the natural development environment of this plant is quite specific. It is better to choose a warm place for the tree, with bright sunlight. In winter, perhaps a less bright place.
In summer you can put it outdoors, in a sunny, wind-protected place. Interestingly, what kind of lighting the plant needs directly depends on the air temperature in the room where the flower grows. The warmer the room, the more light the tree needs, and vice versa.
The optimal lighting time for adenium is 12 hours. This is especially true for those times of year when the heating is turned on in the house and because of this the plant requires a lot of light. For this reason, artificial lighting may be required in winter.
However, this also has its own characteristics - the daylight hours for this flower should not exceed 14 hours. It is also worth keeping an eye on this in the summer, when the daylight hours are 16 hours long. In this case, at the end of the day, it is better to take the pot of adenium into a darker room.
Using the above knowledge, you can stimulate the flowering of adenium, since it directly depends on the habitat of the tree. Typically, most varieties begin to bloom with maximum light and a warm room.
A positive feature of a plant such as adenium is that, with proper watering, it is quite unpretentious to the temperature it stays in. In its native subtropical and tropical climate, the plant can easily tolerate temperatures of 42°C and above, which is due to sufficient air humidity.
However, in such conditions, the inflorescences wither much faster. In summer, adenium fluctuates around 30-35°C in combination with moderate humidity.
At temperatures above 38°C and below 16-20°, the plant slows down or even stops growing. In winter, the optimal temperature ranges around 12 - 15 °C. Such wintering conditions will help the tree to rest well, as a result of which in summer or spring (depending on the variety) the adenium will begin to bloom profusely.
Substrate for indoor adenium flower at home (with photo)
It is worth remembering that there is no clear opinion on what the substrate for adenium should be. However, you can select several of the most popular recipes that promise healthy flower growth.
- Method 1. This recipe was first used in Thailand. A small amount of pig droppings, wood compost, and pieces of coconut peel are added to 50% sticky clay. You can also add rice husks. But many gardeners warn that this amount of clay makes the soil airtight, which can be harmful to the plant in temperate climates.
- Method 2. This recipe comes from India and is considered most suitable for temperate latitudes. The substrate should consist of 50% components that retain moisture well. This includes substances such as vermiculite, cattle manure, and coke peat. The remaining 50% of the components should, on the contrary, prevent water from stagnating in the pot. These are ingredients such as coal, pebbles, and nut shells.
In addition, it is worth remembering that the effectiveness of planting and caring for adenium at home largely depends on the quality of the substrate and its variations depending on climatic conditions.
Why do adenium leaf tips dry out: proper watering
The video shows that caring for adenium at home is not such a difficult task if you remember a few simple rules for watering and fertilizing the plant:
It is important to remember that at different times of the year this flower requires watering like two different plants.
From April to October you need to water abundantly so that the soil is moist all the time; From November to March, water little by little, just to prevent the roots from drying out. However, it is worth remembering that the amount of watering may vary depending on what pot the flower is growing in, how much light it receives and what environment it is in.
If adenium grows in a small pot, the earthen ball dries out much faster and requires more frequent moistening. Young plants, which are constantly growing and require nutrition, also require abundant watering.
Only the transplanted plant, especially if it is in a cool environment, needs to be watered very rarely and carefully. This is due to the fact that the root system has not yet adapted to the new substrate and has not begun to feed properly. You can return to normal watering immediately after the flower begins to grow normally again.
For watering, it is best to use rainwater or running water, letting it sit for a day or two. Water obtained from thawed ice or snow is considered very useful.
Incorrect, especially insufficient watering is sure to be the reason why adenium leaves dry out, which is a common problem when growing this plant.
As a result of overwatering or excessive drying of the substrate, the edges of the leaves may begin to die. If watering and temperature are not regulated, the tree may die completely.
Reasons why adenium does not bloom, leaves turn yellow, fall off, and what to do
It is important to remember that in order to properly care for adenium at home, as in nature, it is important to give the plant a sufficient amount of nutrients. Insufficient feeding may be one of the reasons why adenium leaves turn yellow and fall off, so regular fertilization is necessary.
For example, if the soil is deficient in nitrogen, the lower leaves may begin to fall off, their color becomes pale green, and the plant loses its elasticity.
Sometimes it happens that the tips of adenium leaves dry out, but not everyone understands why this happens, simply by changing the amount of watering. In fact, this happens because the plant does not have enough potassium in the soil. It is because of this that a kind of burn appears on the edges of the leaves.
If there is insufficient phosphorus in the soil, a reddish color appears on the leaves of the flower, and the plant grows poorly. Insufficient amount of phosphorus is one of the answers to the question of why adenium does not bloom and what to do in such cases.
If such a problem really appears along with damage to the lower leaves, you can use a fertilizer with a low phosphorus content to normalize growth and flowering. However, you should not overdo it - an excess of phosphorus will lead to too fast and “elongated” growth of the tree, as a result of which it will completely lose its shape and appearance.
During the growing season, add universal fertilizer for indoor plants and fertilizer for cacti to the water for irrigation for 2 weeks. In the summer, you can add a small amount of fertilizer with all the necessary nutrients to the water for irrigation once every 2 weeks.
In winter, adenium needs to be fertilized no more than once every 1.5 months. If necessary, the minimum period can be reduced to 1 month.
Why does adenium shed its leaves and how to replant the plant correctly
Before transplanting adenium, it is very important to choose the right size pot, as this directly affects the further development of the plant. It is worth remembering that the root system of this plant develops a little faster than its above-ground part. The optimal diameter of the top of the pot should be twice as wide as the main thickening of the tree trunk.
If further growth of the flower is desired, it can be transplanted into a pot slightly larger than the specified size. In a pot that is too large, the roots may begin to rot and the adenium will begin to shed its leaves, which can make the plant less attractive and even lead to its death.
At home, replanting adenium needs to be done very carefully, since it is precisely this kind of interference in the development of the plant that can lead to illness and death. If necessary, replanting should be done in the spring, even before the period of active growth of the tree begins.
You can perform this process in the summer, about a month before the onset of autumn cold weather. Young, still growing flowers require annual replanting. This is due to the development of their root system, which over time requires more space for growth. Adult specimens should be replanted no more than once every 3 years, without changing too much.
Adeniums grow better in wide, shallow bowls - this way the plant is less likely to be flooded and it looks more attractive. After transplantation, water the adenium not immediately so that the damaged roots dry out.
It is not worth replanting the tree too often for the reason that it blooms only when the roots completely envelop the earthen ball.
For many who grow adenium, not only the flowering of the plant is important, but also the appearance of the visible part of its root system. As you know, the lower part of a tree can be shaped by transplanting it into a deeper or shallower container.
If you want the root system to be branched and the trunk to be squat, you need to take a wide but shallow container and vice versa.
Trimming and forming the crown of adenium after transplantation at home
At home, pruning and shaping the appearance of adenium occurs during its transplantation and placement in a container of a special shape and size. So, it is important to remember that in most varieties the top bud grows and develops best, while slowing down the growth and development of all other buds.
In some adenums, natural branching may begin 5–6 years after the start of their growth, which usually does not suit their owners at all.
Therefore, to form the crown of adenium, pruning is used, which will lead to the rapid growth of many small branches, which after a short time can turn into a system of more or less thin branches. And given that the flowers of this tree are located at the ends of the branches, pruning will also lead to much more abundant flowering.
Typically, after cutting one branch, 3 new buds are formed. The minimum height for pruning a plant is 9–11 cm, but in general it completely depends on the preferences of the owner and how he sees his tree in the future.
To give it some shape during pruning, you can also raise the caudex off the ground during replanting. Branching begins approximately 40–50 days after pruning.
Reproduction of adenium at home: how to grow a flower from seeds, cuttings and by pollination
Planting and caring for adenium at home is not an easy task and requires specialized knowledge that will help you grow a beautiful and healthy flower. But it is known that the most difficult thing is to propagate a plant, which is considered exclusively an activity for a specialist gardener. In fact, if you wish, you can propagate adenium at home, without spending too much effort and energy.
There are several ways to propagate this tree:
- Seeds.
- Vaccination.
- Cuttings.
- Air layering.
To cross plants and obtain new types of flowers, pollination of adenium is also used, which, however, is a rather complex process.
How to properly plant adenium at home when growing from seeds
At home, the easiest way to grow adenium is from seeds, since this method requires minimal time spent caring for the plant. Seeds are a fairly affordable product; they are easy to find and buy on the Internet. Their germination shows very good results - usually from 80 to 100% of all seeds germinate from one sowing. However, first you should figure out how to plant adenium seeds correctly in order to achieve such a good result.
So, it is best to sow the seeds of this plant in the warm period of the year (mid-spring - early autumn), but the sprouts will develop well even if sowed in winter. However, in the cold season, the soil with seeds will require temperature conditions and lighting as close as possible to the summer period.
Before sowing, the seeds should be left for 2-4 hours in water at room temperature. If desired, synthetic growth stimulants can be added to it. Some gardeners believe that a better method is when the seeds are simply wrapped in a wet napkin for the same time.
In such conditions they are able to breathe, which is very useful for their further development.
When propagating adenium using seeds, you need to regularly monitor the soil temperature, as this directly affects the rate of their germination. It is believed that the optimal temperature should fluctuate around 28-33°C.
The minimum thermometer reading should never fall below 24°. Too high or too low a temperature will certainly cause the seeds to rot and reduce the percentage of germination.
The substrate in which the seeds are placed must be well permeable to air and moisture. Under no circumstances should you water the seeds abundantly; the earthen ball should be only slightly moist. Failure to comply with this condition will also lead to rotting of the seeds.
The substrate must be prepared in advance. The best components are sand, perlite and crushed charcoal in equal proportions.
When sowing, the seeds are scattered over the surface of the substrate and sprinkled a little with the same planting mixture on top. After this, the container is wrapped with cling film. From time to time such a greenhouse needs to be ventilated. After the first seedlings germinate, you need to ensure that they are not exposed to direct sunlight or exposed to drafts. Keep the temperature within 26-32°C.
After the first leaves begin to appear, the sprouts are gradually accustomed to the sun. After 2–3 leaves of adenium appear on each stem, you can safely plant them in separate pots. There is a possibility that in the first year the plant will have to be replanted 2-3 times, depending on the speed of its growth.
Adenium cuttings: ways to root cuttings
Propagating adenium using cuttings is a much more complex process than conventional sowing, but this method helps maintain the purity of the desired variety, which is not always possible when propagating by seeds. By means of cuttings, it will be much faster to grow flowering adenium at home, as it will not be possible in the case of seed propagation.
To obtain shoots for adenium cuttings, you can select several branches when pruning the plant. It is absolutely important to ensure that the cuttings are healthy and that the plant itself has already entered the active growth phase during pruning. Trimming is done with a knife with a well-sharpened blade. The ideal length of cut branches suitable for further propagation is 10–15 cm.
There are two ways to root adenium cuttings: using special earthen mixtures, or in ordinary water. Flower growers actively use both methods, but rooting sprouts using water is a little easier.
To do this, leave the freshly cut stalk for 10 - 15 minutes so that it stops secreting juice, soak the juice that remains on the body of the branch, and place it in a flask with water at room temperature.
It is advisable to add a little synthetic rooting agent to the water. When the amount of water decreases, the vessel needs to be replenished. It is also important to take care of the lighting. Cuttings placed in this way take root after 10–14 days; it takes about a month for this process to be completed. After this, the cuttings are transplanted into the substrate in the same way as when sowing.
Formation of adenium by pinching and how to graft a plant
Pinching adenium is used as a means of creating a more unusual appearance of the plant and giving the tree exotic modifications. There are two ways to propagate this plant - V-shaped grafting of adeniums, Flat grafting and flat grafting.
Why does the adenium trunk become soft and what to do?
There are a large number of types of adenium flower diseases, the appearance of which is usually associated with improper living environment and watering. The most dangerous case is when the trunk of the adenium becomes soft, and few people know what to do in such situations, and, as a result, long-term care for the plant may simply come to naught.
If at the same time the lower leaves of the tree begin to fall off, this leads to rotting of the caudex as a result of temperature changes along with improper watering and lighting. You can correct the situation if you place the pot on a radiator and reduce watering to a minimum.
The objective cause of this disease is the content of the root system and caudex of the plant in waterlogged soil at temperatures below 20C.
Therefore, with the onset of cold days, it is necessary to limit watering of adenium both in frequency and in the amount of water.
How to properly care for adenium at home if the plant does not bloom
The question of why adenium does not bloom and what to do can be answered not only by the living conditions, but also by all kinds of pests that disrupt the development of the plant. These include spider mites, cushion bugs, and mealybugs.
In order to get rid of the problem, the plant body must be cleansed using special means. If the plant's problem is associated with the appearance of a root mealybug in the substrate, the situation is a little more complicated.
You can find out about the problem when the plant begins to bloom much less frequently or stops producing inflorescences altogether or slows down its growth. To get rid of this kind of pest, you need to water the substrate with a special substance that is poisonous to the mealybug, which, however, will not cause any harm to the plant itself.
The list of such drugs includes Aktara, Mospilan, Dantop, Regent.
Mealybug settles on the bases of tree leaves. This pest is destroyed by spraying at intervals of 7 days with one of the following preparations: Aktara, Talstar, Vertimek, Fitoverm, etc.
Carefully! The milky sap of the desert rose is very poisonous. Wear gloves when replanting and pruning.
Among the indoor plants, one flower is notable, it looks like a small baobab, covered with flowers reminiscent of roses. This is adenium, which got its name from its habitat - Aden, where Europeans first discovered a beautifully flowering tree. Caring for adenium at home will be discussed in this article.
In nature, adenium is found in sultry Africa, from Senegal, Sudan to the Arabian desert. It has many names: Desert Rose, Impala Lily, Star of Sabinia. Adenium has many faces in its species diversity. Depending on the place of growth and conditions, the following plants are found:
- with thickened bottom ( caudex), reaching a height of two to five meters;
- in the form of a small bush.
Regardless of the height and shape of the trunk, the branches have a rosette of leaves at the end, decorated with large flowers. Under natural conditions, flowers have shades from white-pink to bright red and purple. The plant belongs to the woody or shrubby succulents of the Kutrovaceae family.
The plant, accustomed to the high temperatures of Africa, feels comfortable on the windowsills of our apartments. Under natural conditions, adenium feels comfortable at a temperature of 30-35 degrees. Therefore, the hot summer of central Europe makes it possible to provide comfort for this flowering succulent.
The flower feels good on a south or east window.
Popular varieties
Botanists still cannot come to a consensus on how many species of Adenium exist in nature. Depending on the shape of the caudex, leaves, and habitat, ten main species are distinguished. Although other scientists are of the opinion that all species diversity comes from the main species - Adenium Obessum.
The development of desert rose breeding occurs mainly in the countries of Southeast Asia: Thailand, the Philippines and others. This is due to the fact that the climate is suitable for growing Adeniums. Many new varieties of indoor desert rose have been developed in these countries.
Obesum
Adenium Obesum
Among flower growers, the most widespread variety is Adenium Obesum. Its second name is Adenium Obese or thick. Under natural conditions, the above-ground part of the caudex grows to a meter thickness, and the plant reaches a height of up to three meters. Green leaves are oblong, rounded in shape, with pointed ends. There are varieties in nature with variegated leaves, glossy or dull.
The flowers of Adenium Obesumi are large, 5-7 centimeters in diameter. Selected varieties are distinguished by a variety of colors: from snow-white to dark red, burgundy flowers.
The plant begins to bloom at the age of one and a half to two years, but much depends on the growing conditions. Flowering duration is at least two to three months. At suitable temperature conditions, Adenium pleases with long-term flowering.
Arabicum (Arabicum or Arabian)
Adenium Arabicum (Arabic)
This variety differs from other Adeniums in its large leaves and dark brown bark. The flowers of Adenium Arabicum are red-pink. The plant got its name from its place of growth in nature - the Arabian Peninsula. The caudex has a massive, squat appearance. Depending on the habitat, the type of trunk can vary: from a thick tree to a shrub in places with a minimum of moisture.
Multiflora (Multiflora)
Adenium Multiflorum (Multiflorum)
The name Multifloral Adenium speaks for itself. This species is characterized by abundant flowering and grows in the central and southern regions of the African continent on saline or sandy soil. A thick trunk, expanding downward, goes deep with powerful roots. It is not afraid of droughts, because the powerful trunk serves as a storage facility for water reserves. The plant can reach three meters in height under natural conditions.
This variety of Adenium is also called Impala lily. In indoor floriculture, the plant is less common than Adenium thick, which is due to its slow growth, and as a result, flowering occurs after four years.
Mini
Adenium Mini
About ten years ago, breeders from Taiwan received mini Adeniums. These dwarf trees look like bonsai and decorate the interior in themselves. They are characterized by slow growth, and in 4-5 years they reach twenty centimeters. Intense flowering begins at two to three years of age and continues throughout the year, unlike other varieties. The size of the flowers is quite large for dwarf plants, reaching seven centimeters in diameter. Varieties of Adenium mini differ in the color of their buds - from white to bright red.
Dorset Horn
Adenium Dorset Horn
As a result of the mutation of Adenium Multiflorum, a new variety Adenium appeared « Dorset Horn." The leaves of the new variety curl, curving downwards, and resemble the horns of sheep of the breed « Dorset Horn." In addition to the curled leaves, « Dorset Horn" shorter branch internodes.
A special feature of this variety is the instability of its characteristics during propagation. If you graft « Dorset Horn" to another Adenium, then the leaves become even, the branches lengthen due to the increase in internodes. Therefore, this variety is propagated only by cuttings or aerial rooting. Although even with this method, the characteristics of the variety are not always fully preserved.
Anouk
Adenium Anouk
The Anuk variety is distinguished by thick, fleshy leaves of a slightly elongated shape. The plant grows up to half a meter. The variety is distinguished by early flowering with a large number of bright pink flowers.
Features of planting desert roses
When planting and replanting Adenium at home, you should carefully choose a pot. The roots of the plant develop quickly and wide, so the pot should be wide and not deep. To avoid stagnation of water, the pot must have a sufficient number of drainage holes.
You should pay attention to the color of the pot. It doesn’t matter what material the pot is made of, it is important that it is light. Otherwise, in the hot sun, the roots will overheat, which will lead to their death.
The roots grow quickly, so Adenium is replanted as needed. It is recommended to carry out the procedure during the period when active growth begins, in the spring. A layer of drainage (2-3 cm) is poured onto the bottom of the pot, the roots are straightened, carefully sprinkled with soil. After transplantation, the plant should not be watered for two to three days.
When choosing soil for Adenium, you should pay attention to lightness, looseness, and breathability. According to the acidity value, the soil should be neutral or slightly acidic. You can purchase ready-made soil for succulents and orchids. To make it loose, crushed charcoal, perlite, vermiculite, and coconut fiber are added.
The mixture for Adeniums is easy to prepare yourself. To do this you need to take the following components:
- deciduous humus soil (30%);
- perlite, fine expanded clay, river sand (20%);
- coconut fiber (50%).
Add a small amount of crushed charcoal. Before use, it is advisable to disinfect the soil in the microwave or treat it with a fungicide.
Attention! Adenium is a poisonous plant. Care must be taken when transplanting and cutting. It is better to work with gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after care procedures. If small children and pets live in the house, then it is better to refuse to keep the plant in the apartment.
Caring for Adenium at home
Adenium's spartan life in natural conditions allows it to perfectly adapt to apartment conditions. It has already been mentioned that it feels comfortable at high summer temperatures, reaching 35 degrees. But it is necessary to pay attention that if the heat exceeds 38 degrees, an additional increase in air humidity is necessary.
Lighting
Adeniums need bright sun to develop and bloom. But the following nuances should be observed:
- In young plants, the base of the stem should be protected from burns.
- During the growth period, do not turn the plant, because parts that were in the shade may get burned.
- When moving a flower from a dark place to a brightly lit one, it should be gradually accustomed to the sun.
In winter, it is necessary to increase daylight hours to 12 hours using artificial lighting.
Watering
The amount and frequency of watering Adenium, illumination and air temperature are inversely related. At high temperatures, during the growth period, increase the frequency of watering. Watering is done when the top layer of soil has dried. When the temperature drops to 18-20 degrees, watering is reduced so that the soil dries out completely. Otherwise, rotting of the roots cannot be avoided.
If the plant is wintered at a temperature of 10-15 degrees, then watering is stopped completely. When leaving dormancy, watering begins in small portions after the buds swell, and only on warm sunny days.
Soft, settled water at room temperature is suitable for irrigation. From time to time you can slightly acidify it.
Top dressing
For active growth and flowering, Adenium needs fertilizing, especially if the soil contains a lot of coconut fiber and is not rich in nutrients. At the beginning of active growth, a predominance of nitrogen fertilizers is desirable, enhancing the growth of green mass. During flowering, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are added to ensure lush and long-lasting flowering. The frequency of feeding is 1-2 times a month.
Dormancy and flowering period
In winter, it is recommended to place Adenium in a cool room, an insulated balcony at a temperature of ten to fifteen degrees, but not lower than ten. Only adult individuals can survive a drop in temperature, and only with dry soil.
During wintering, Adenium may lose all its leaves, but do not worry - this is a normal transition to a dormant state. If it is not possible to ensure the ideal wintering temperature, then you should move the plant to the coolest place in the apartment, watering in small portions after the soil has completely dried.
With the beginning of the active phase, the buds awaken and new leaves grow. The beginning of flowering of a young plant begins at the age of 1.5-2 years. But some varieties bloom after four years.
What to do if Adenium does not bloom? If a plant that has already delighted you with its beauty does not bloom, then you need to look for errors in care. These could be the following mistakes:
- abundant watering during the dormant period;
- root rotting;
- lack of sunlight;
- excess nitrogen fertilizers and lack of potassium fertilizers.
Crown formation
One of the reasons why the plant is so loved by flower lovers is that by trimming Adenium, shaping the crown and caudex, you can get miniature trees - bonsai.
To form a lush crown, seedlings are pinched before growth begins. In adult plants, the branches are shortened, leaving 5-8 cm. There is another way to form Adenium - cutting off the main trunk above the caudex. Soon, lateral buds begin to form along the circumcision perimeter. If you trim too low, many new branches will be thin, which can ruin the appearance of the flower.
Video: Trimming Adenium at home.
There is a way to increase the caudex by raising the roots during transplantation. Sometimes a small piece of plastic is placed under the roots so that the growing roots resemble a mango tree.
Diseases and pests of Adeniums
Despite the toxicity of the flower, it can be affected by pests and diseases. The main pests and methods of controlling them are given in the table.
| Signs | Pests | Treatment |
| Whitish coating on the roots. The flower slows down its development, the leaves turn pale, the trunk and branches lose their elasticity. | Root mealybug | Till the soil with Actor and Regent three times every 10 days. |
| A white coating appears on the leaves of the plant and in the leaf axils. | Mealybug | Treatment of leaves with Aktar, Fitoverm by spraying at intervals of a week. |
| Adenium leaves turn pale and become covered with yellowish dots. When spider mites spread, cobwebs are visible on the leaves. | Spider mite | Treat with acicides (Talstar, Actofit) several times with an interval of 3-10 days. |
| Slow decline of the plant, accompanied by distortion of the shape of leaves and flowers, the appearance of spots on leaves and flowers that are not characteristic of this variety. | Viral diseases | Sick plants must be destroyed to prevent the spread of the disease. |
| The appearance of insects on the leaves, their wilting | Aphid | Treatment with insecticides according to instructions |
| Softening of the trunk, appearance of black spots. | Caudex rot | Caused by excess moisture in the soil. Trim the root above the rotting area and root. At the onset of the disease, you should stop watering for 2 weeks, then replant the plant. |
| Brown spots on leaves | Bacterial burn | Soil treatment with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and Baikal-Em fertilizer. |
Errors in care
Adenium, despite its unpretentiousness and adaptability, often suffers if it is not properly cared for. Let's consider the reasons and their manifestation.
| Manifestation | Causes | Elimination |
| The tips of the leaves turn black. | Too much watering, poor soil permeability | Watering is reduced, and the soil mixture is changed if necessary. |
| The leaves turn black, fall off, and the trunk turns black. | Abundant watering at low temperatures. | Move to a warmer place, reducing watering. |
| Brown spots on leaves. | Sunburn. | The order of adaptation to the sun is disrupted and disappear the next year after the leaves are renewed. |
| Rapid withering of buds. | Lack of moisture at high temperatures. | Spraying without getting on the buds or finding a less hot place. |
| The tips of the leaves dry out. | Sudden change of environment, infrequent watering, intense light. | Errors in care and maintenance are eliminated. |
Reproduction of Adenium
Desert roses are propagated in different ways:
- cuttings;
- air layering;
- seeds.
To propagate Adenium by cuttings, use twigs obtained during spring pruning. Cuttings 10-15 cm long are suitable, the cut of which is sprinkled with crushed charcoal (activated) charcoal and dried, like all succulents. For planting, use a mixture of perlite, sand and charcoal. Place in a warm, well-lit place. Monitor humidity, avoiding excess. The cuttings take root within a month. Rooting cuttings in water requires changing the water daily to avoid rotting.
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Aerial shoots are used for propagation in early summer, during the active growing season. On a branch no more than two centimeters thick, an incision is made in a circle, which is sprinkled with a root growth stimulator, wrapped with sfarnum moss, and secured with opaque tape. The moss is kept slightly moist. After the roots have formed, the plant is replanted separately. But this method of propagation leads to the fact that the new plant will not have a caudex.
Rooting aerial shoots
Seeds for growing Adenium at home can be bought in special stores. They are soaked for half an hour in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, then placed in a zircon solution and kept for several hours. The seeds are placed on a mixture of sand, vermiculite and charcoal, and sprinkled with a thin layer. It is recommended to place the pots in a warm place (30-35 degrees), then after a week you can expect sprouts to appear. Seedlings need additional lighting, compliance with humidity and temperature conditions, and daily ventilation. When the first leaves appear, increase the ventilation time, preparing for new conditions. After the appearance of the second leaves, the seedlings are transplanted into separate pots with a dive.
Growing Adenium from seeds
Adenium grafting
Adeniums, like cacti, can be grafted onto each other, creating bizarre shapes. You can also graft them onto oleander. The rootstock and drive are connected with oblique cuts and secured with tape. Plants are placed in a warm place without direct sunlight. The sprouts are periodically removed from the junction points.
In conclusion, it should be noted that following simple rules for caring for Adenium allows you to get a beautiful flowering plant that will decorate your home.
Adenium grows in the form of a shrub and belongs to the Kutrov family. The plant has a thick trunk that expands towards the base. There are many short shoots on the trunk. This exotic flower is native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
In its homeland, this flower grows to a height of 10 m. And when grown at home, it will not grow more than 50 cm. The leaf blades have a variety of colors depending on the plant variety. But almost all adeniums have green leaf plates with a rounded shape and pointed tips. But recently, hybrids with colored leaf plates or with a leaf shape of a long elongated and at the same time narrow oval have been bred. Read about it here.
Adenium - description and types
Growing adenium is now considered a fashionable activity, and many gardeners have begun to cultivate it, because it has beautiful flowers and an unusual trunk shape. Also, some flower lovers mistake these shrubs for bonsai. After all, when growing a plant, an unusual trunk can be given completely irregular shapes.
But with all this, we must not forget that this is a poisonous plant, and if there are small children or animals in the house who taste the plants, then it is better not to acquire such a bush yet. Since it is quite toxic and can cause severe poisoning.
Adenium flowers begin to appear on the plant in early summer and continue to bloom until the end of September. The flowering is very diverse; the most beautiful flowers differ both in shape and in the color of the buds. The size also differs depending on the type of adenium. They are 3 cm in diameter, and sometimes reach 13 cm. Their flowers are of different colors:
- Yellow;
- White;
- Pink;
- Reds
- Red and black.
Actually, this is a fairly unpretentious plant, with slow growth and abundant flowering, which occurs at a fairly young age.
Types of adenium
Among the many varieties, there are several particularly beautiful ones:
- Abesum is the most common variety, since flowering begins in May, and the flowers have a large flower diameter - 7 cm. The buds are pink or red;
- Arabian - this variety begins flowering in March and lasts throughout the warm season. The shape of its crown is very reminiscent of wild adeniums, flowers of bright pink color. This variety has a pronounced hibernation, which is expressed in the loss of leaf mass for the entire dormant period;
- Socotrans is a dwarf plant with gray leaf blades and delicate pink inflorescences;
- Somali - this variety grows the largest in indoor conditions and flowering already begins when the seedling reaches two years of age, when the plant has barely reached 15 cm in height. The flowers are small in diameter, but the variety blooms throughout the year. And this also has its own charm.
Growing adenium from seeds and care at home
Many people grow this exotic from seeds; it is difficult, but quite achievable.
Planting seeds
This interesting process has its own characteristics. Before planting the seeds in nutrient soil, the seeds should be soaked in warm water for a couple of hours. Not all flower growers do this, some are against such treatment of planting material, but it’s up to the one who plants to soak it or not.
If you decide to soak, then add any stimulating solution for root formation to warm water half an hour before completion of the soaking process.
But before planting the seed, you need to mix the soil properly. To do this, take soil from any brand for cacti and mix it with perlite or any other baking powder one to one.
Containers for planting plants should be small in size with holes for draining water. Plastic transparent cups with a volume of 100 g are well suited for this purpose. We put drainage made of expanded clay or polystyrene at the bottom, and then fill it to the top with prepared soil.
Then we place the plant seeds on the surface and lightly press them into the soil. After all the manipulations, we put all the cups in one box to simplify their care and cover the box with a transparent lid or put the entire box in a transparent plastic bag.
The lid must be removed once a day and the future seedlings ventilated. If you need to moisten the soil, do this carefully using a spray bottle with warm water. If the soil was very moist when planting the seeds, then the next watering time will be no earlier than two weeks later. If the seeds are planted of different varieties, then the cups must be marked which variety is planted in it.
Seeds require sustained heat for germination, so the box with the planted seeds should be placed in a fairly warm place. When the seeds are pecked from the ground, the film or glass is removed.
During further care, it is necessary to ensure that the lump of earth in which the adenium seedlings are planted does not dry out, but there should not be a flood, so as not to cause rotting of the seedling.
In order for the grown seedlings to grow well, they are transferred to a warm, bright place, but without direct sunlight. If necessary, the seedlings are turned towards the light so that the trunk grows evenly.
Seed germination may take three days, or it may take a month, it all depends on the characteristics of the adenium variety.
Adenium Photos Caring for adenium seedlings
After the seedlings grow up and produce two or three leaves on the tops of their heads, they begin to be transplanted into a new container. Moreover, if the old one fits, you don’t have to increase the capacity; it all depends on the size of the root system. The flower must undergo such a transplant three times a year.
This plant blooms two years after the seeds were sown.
Since this is a fairly drought-resistant plant, it tolerates direct sunlight well. However, this tropical plant loves frequent watering, which should be moderate. Summer watering can be done using sprinkling, but in winter watering is limited, since the rooms are quite cool and can cause rotting of the trunk and roots. In addition, in winter the plant goes into hibernation.
Plant nutrition
During the growth process, adenium, like all living plants, needs feeding. Fertilizers are used for succulents, because if you overdo it with nitrogen fertilizers at a rapid growth rate, the skin of the trunk may burst. And then an infection gets into the wound and the trunk looks ugly even if it is cured of rot diseases.
Therefore, fertilizers should be applied no more than once a month. At the time of flowering, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied so that flowering lasts longer and is more intense.
Lighting
Since Africa is its homeland, the plant tolerates direct sunlight well. In the summer he prefers to spend his time outside, but he must be gradually accustomed to the sun at the end of April. Because in winter there is little lighting and in spring the sun begins to burn very intensely and can burn the foliage after a long winter hibernation.
The southern orientation of the windows suits him very well because he needs as much sunlight as possible all year round. When growing a plant, it must be turned in relation to the sun so that its trunk does not fall to one side.
Temperature and humidity
In the warm season, the plant prefers hot air temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius. It is indifferent to humidity, but sometimes in hot weather you can spray it to get rid of dust lying on the flower. When spraying, you must avoid getting it on the flowers so as not to spoil their appearance.
In autumn, when daylight hours decrease, spraying is stopped. Some varieties of adenium may begin to lose leaves. During dormancy, you should absolutely not spray, otherwise the plant may be affected by root rot or sooty fungus.
Bloom
Flowering of all varieties lasts throughout the summer and ends by September. Each individual flower lasts seven days during flowering, and then a new bud appears in its place. Since buds appear only at the ends of the branches, adenium is pruned in the spring for greater bushiness. And consequently the number of flowers on the bush increases.
Transfer
Indoors, the plant grows quite slowly and if it has outgrown the container in which it was planted, then it can be safely transplanted into a new container. For adult adeniums, a container like a bowl is selected, since at the age of three the root system begins to grow in width and only the container restrains the growth of the root system. Therefore, if you do not need to increase the size of the plant, then you should not transplant it into a large container.
Reproduction using cuttings and grafting
In addition to seed propagation, there is also propagation by cuttings. To do this, take apical shoots at least two centimeters thick and make an incision at the base of the stem with a knife. After drying for a couple of hours, the root is treated, wrapped in a plastic bag, and after about a month, a small root system will begin to form at the site of the cut.
Adenium is also grafted onto oleander. After it, the flowering is lush and long, but the place where the grafting was made must be protected from direct sunlight. Grafted plants, like plants, cannot tolerate cold weather and the optimal temperature for them is 35 degrees Celsius.
In order to graft onto the rootstock and scion, oblique cuts are made and two different plants are combined. The joint is secured with any elastic material. After about a couple of months, if the top begins to grow, it means the grafting was a success.
The best time to propagate adenium using any of the described methods is spring, when all the buds wake up after winter hibernation.
Diseases associated with the growth of adenium
This plant is practically not susceptible to diseases. The first signs of pests can only be seen if the plant is not properly cared for. Scale insects, spider mites or mealybugs can be found on this exotic plant. But to prevent this from happening, for the sake of prevention, once every six months, you can spray or spill the soil with a solution made on the basis of Actillic.
Since this is a succulent plant, periodic flooding with water can cause root rot. To prevent it from appearing, a soil for adeniums is selected that is light and nutritious with good air penetration. And in winter, do not forget to reduce watering.
To avoid the appearance of various rot, you can add a certain amount of charcoal to the soil.
If adenium begins to actively lose leaves, not in the autumn, most likely it is in a draft and therefore the plant needs to find a new place.
Sometimes adenium stops blooming or never bloomed at all. In many respects, everything depends on the correct pruning of the plant in the spring and mandatory dormancy during the winter.
If fertilizing is applied more often than once a month, the plant will initially grow rapidly, and then it may not be able to cope with so much fertilizing and begin to rot inside the trunk.
Growing adenium and care at home video
Read about it here.
Adenium (or desert rose, as this plant is also called) comes from Yemen, although it is common in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Central and South Africa. The growth of adenium in nature involves two stages: a period of active growth and vegetation and a period of rest, which is associated with natural conditions. In room conditions this feature is preserved. Adenium is represented by a small tree with a thick trunk with a compaction at the base called caudex. Of particular value are the decorative leaves and flowers of adenium.
Did you know?Now 10 species of adenium are known in nature, the rest are subspecies and varieties. Although the opinions of flower growers differ on this issue, and some suggest recognizing the plant as monotypic.
Adenium Arabicum
Adenium arabicum is most widely grown in western Saudi Arabia and Yemen. And therefore, flower growers distinguish two subspecies of Adenium Arabicum - Saudi and Yemen. The main difference between these two subspecies is the height and behavior of the plant during the dormant period. Representatives of the Saudi cultivar can reach a height of 4 meters and retain leaves throughout the year, while Yemeni adenium sheds all its leaves in winter. As for the size of the branches, here, despite the lower trunk, the Yemeni adenium is superior to the Saudi one. The branch diameter of the Saudi subspecies is 4 cm, while that of the Yemeni subspecies is 8.5 cm. 
Arabian adenium blooms pink, sometimes white. However, the plant achieved its popularity thanks to its large caudex. The leaves of the plant are pointed and can reach a size of up to 15 cm; in this case, Arabicum can compete with Boehmianum, which until recently was considered the largest-leaved. Non-hybrid arabicums are characterized by pubescent leaves, which manifest themselves at an early age.
Important!Most often, it is adenium arabicum and hybrids bred on its basis that become the “base” for decorative plantings such as bonsai.
Nowadays, breeders have developed a huge number of different varieties of adenium, which differ in size and even color of caudexes. Another distinctive feature is that Arabicum hybrids bloom more profusely.
Adenium Boehmianum
Adenium boehmianum is a plant native to Angola and widespread in Northern Namibia. Under natural conditions, the shrub can reach 3 m in height, the caudex is small. The leaves are pale green in color, elongated, heart-shaped, and can reach a size of 15 cm. The growing season of boechmianum is not very long: the shrub is covered with leaves for only three months a year, regardless of the conditions under which the plant is kept. Flowering occurs during the same period as the growing season. The flowers are soft pink with a center of a deeper shade of pink and are shaped like a circle. 
This species is not particularly popular among breeders because it takes quite a long time to grow. Most often, this species grows not in width, but in height, which makes it even less popular for cultivation.
Did you know?The juice of Adenium boehmianum is used by the tribes of Namibia to make poisonous arrows.
Adenium Crispum
Adenium crispum has reached its widest distribution in Somalia, Tanzania and Kenya. Adenium crispum is considered a subspecies of Somali adenium, but these two plants are fundamentally different from each other. Adenium crispum has a unique caudex that is shaped like a turnip. Fine roots grow from the bottom of the trunk, which is located underground, while thicker roots grow from the base of the above-ground trunk. Crispum's stems are not very thick and can reach 30 cm in height. 
Crispum is characterized by slow growth under cultivation conditions, and it is possible to grow a plant with distinctive features from Somalia only after 5 years, although the caudex will remain small for several years. The differences between Crispum and Somali also appear when Adenium Crispum blooms. Crispum flowers have a wider neck, but smaller petals. The flower petals are pink and white and can often be curved downwards. Some varieties may have deep red petals. Adenium grown at home from seeds blooms when it reaches a height of 15 cm, usually in the second year of development.
Important!From English, the name “crisped” translates as “curled, twisted” - another distinctive feature of Crispum, because its leaves are wrapped in a “wave” at the edges.
Adenium Multiflorum
Adenium multiflorum, or Adenium multiflorum, is most widespread in the provinces of South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo), Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia. Adenium multiflorum has become a source of controversy among gardeners because for some time it was considered a variety of Adenium Obesum, but it was later discovered that there were enough differences between the two species to differentiate them. Multiflorum grows as a small shrub, and in some cases can grow into a tree up to 3 m high. The caudex is pronounced in the young plant, and grey-brown stems grow from underground rhizomes. The thicker the stem becomes, the less noticeable the caudex will be. 
Multiflorum grows quite quickly, but the first flowering can be achieved only in the fourth or fifth year of development. In winter, the plant “hibernates” and sheds its leaves. The plant leaves the dormant period after 4 months.
The size of flowers of this species is about 6-7 cm in diameter. And flowering is the most abundant among all species. The leaves of adenium are quite large and wide.
Did you know?In order for a plant to please you with its abundant flowering, it needs to be provided with special conditions during the dormant period - dryness and coolness.
Adenium Oliefolium
This species got its name because of the composition of the leaves: they contain a large amount of oil. Widely distributed in Botswana, eastern Namibia and northern South Africa. This species is considered the shortest (the underground caudex does not exceed 35 cm). The aboveground part of adenium grows up to 60 cm in height. The green-blue leaves are similar to those of Somali adenium and reach 1.5 cm in width and about 11 cm in length. The flowers are pink in diameter, 5 cm in diameter. Under natural conditions, the flower eye is white or yellow, although different varieties may have darker shades of flower color. Oliefolium blooms in summer.
Adenium Swazicum
Adenium Swazicum is most often found in Swaziland and the surrounding areas of South Africa and Mozambique. This plant is presented in the form of a low bush (up to 65 cm). The leaves are colored light green. The leaf width reaches 3 cm, and the height is 13 cm. The edges of the leaf curl slightly, and in particularly abundant sunlight they bend upward along the axis. The flowers are solid colors, usually pink, but breeders have developed clones that are bright red, pink-purple or white. The plant needs rest, and its duration depends on the conditions. Flowering is also related to the growing conditions; most often the plant blooms in summer or autumn, but some varieties can bloom all year round. This species is very popular among breeders because of its unpretentiousness and fairly rapid growth. 
Important!In Swaziland, Adenium swazicum is under state protection due to the threat of extinction.
Adenium Socotrantum
Adenium socotrantum is an endemic plant that grows on the island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean. This species has one of the largest caudexes among adeniums. which can reach 2.5 m in diameter. The trunk of the sap is column-shaped, branched. Branches reaching a height of 4 meters or more are arranged in a “bush”. It is quite simple to distinguish Socotrans adenium from other species: clear horizontal stripes are noticeable on its caudex and trunk. The leaves of representatives of this species are dark green, 4 cm wide and 12-13 in length. The central vein of the leaf is painted white, and the tip is pointed. Adenium blooms pink, the flowers reach 10-13 cm in diameter and appear in the summer. At home, socotrantum blooms quite rarely at home, although it is rarely grown at home. This is due to the fact that the export of the plant is prohibited by the island authorities. 
Did you know?Thai breeders crossed two species: socotrantum and arabicum and obtained a cultivar called Thai-socotrantum, the most famous of which is “Golden crown”.
Adenium socotrantum is not only the rarest species, but also the most expensive of all types of adenium.
Adenium Somalense
Adenium Somalia is most widespread in Kenya, Tanzania and southern Somalia. The size of the plant is quite relative and depends on the habitat of the plant. Height varies from one and a half to five meters. The tallest representative was discovered in Somalia and reaches 5 meters. This species has a very large caudex, which in size can be compared to a 200-liter water tank. The barrel is conical in shape. 
Somali adenium can be easily grown at home, it is unpretentious, and it is enough to simply observe a dormant period (November/December). The leaves are bright green in color, elongated in shape, reaching 5-10 cm in length and 1.8-2.5 cm in width. In winter the leaves fall off.
Somali adenium blooms at the age of 1.5 years, at a height of 15 cm. Most often, the flowers are pale pink, but can be painted in richer colors, with five petals. With good sunlight, adenium can bloom all year round.
Adenium Obesum
The habitat of Adenium obesum is quite extensive: from Senegal to the Arabian Peninsula in Asia. This species is the most popular among gardeners because it is unpretentious and grows quickly. The plant is a shrub with straight, thick light brown branches. The branches taper towards the top. The leaves are lanceolate and may have a pointed or rounded tip. The leaves are glossy, dark green, without “wavy” edges. 
Important!Sometimes at the beginning of the growing season you will notice the buds first and then the new leaves.
Adenium obese can shed its leaves if kept cool at home in winter. Despite the unusual shape of the caudex of this species, it is more valued for its exotic-looking flowers. They can be plain or variegated, can be painted in delicate or rich tones, can be semi-double or terry. The average diameter of flowers is 6-7 cm, however, depending on the variety, the size may vary. Adenium obese is the most common species among adeniums, not only because of its ease of cultivation, but also because of the variety of varieties.
Adenium Mini (Mini Size)
Adenium mini is a dwarf succulent tree with a branched crown. Flowering of mini-adeniums occurs in the second year of plant development. This species is of particular interest to breeders due to the instability of varietal characteristics. This variety is an exclusively ornamental plant. The height of the plant does not exceed 17 cm, and the plant can bloom all year round. The flowers are similar to roses and can reach 7 cm in diameter. The original mini adenium became the basis for the development of other varieties that differ from the base species in color, including the pink variety, red, white, pink with a white tint. 
As you can see, growing a small tree in an apartment is quite simple. Among all the types presented, you can choose the one you like and enjoy its decorative look at home.
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Adenium ( lat. Adenium) - a genus of shrubby or woody succulents in the family Cutraceae (Apocynaceae).
The natural habitat of adenium is Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, as well as Central and South Africa.
In many languages, the literal translation of the name of the plant means "desert rose". There are also names - "impala lily or rose", "Star of Sabinia".
Adenium- a slow-growing bush or small tree with a fleshy trunk that has a thickening at the base, the so-called caudex, most of which may be underground.
The stem of adenium is highly branched. It bears small shiny or velvety lanceolate leaves with a pointed or blunt edge.
Large adenium flowers, from white to dark crimson in color, are highly decorative, thanks to which the plant has earned its popularity. The throat of the flower is usually lighter.
Important! When cut, adenium produces poisonous juice, so after transplanting or propagating the plant, it is recommended to wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
The first attempts to systematize adeniums date back to the second half of the 18th century. Today, there are several points of view - from recognizing the genus as monotypic to separating regional forms into independent species.
The genus Adenium has about 5 plant species, the rest are subspecies.
Types of adenium
Adenium obsessum , or adenium obesum . Synonym: Nerum obessum . A slow growing plant with a pronounced lignified trunk, branched in the upper part, reaching a height of 1.5 m and a diameter of more than 1 m. The grayish-brown stem is thickened and fleshy at the base, bottle-shaped. At the top of the branches grow elongated grayish-green leaves, leathery, 10 cm long. In summer, many flowers up to 4-6 cm in diameter with red, pink or white petals appear on the plant; the flowers are collected in small corymbose inflorescences.
. The natural distribution range of Adenium multiflora is in Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland.
These plants typically grow in sandy soil, other well-permeable soil with little water or in alluvium in rocky habitats, dry wooded areas or open fields, and also in brackish soils. Adenium multiflorum grows mainly in frost-free areas in the eastern parts of southern Africa, south of the Zambezi River, from sea level to an altitude of 1,200 m.
Adenium multiflorum is the most famous of the South African adeniums. This species blooms in winter, when most of the surrounding vegetation looks rather dull in comparison with the brilliant white, pink, dark red, red and white-red flowers that cover these plants during the flowering period.
Plants are found in a variety of habitats. In harsher environments they tend to be small and shrubby. In more favorable conditions, Adenium multiflorum can become a tree. The plant has a thick, underground stem, which allows it to survive long periods without water. In nature, plants reproduce through seeds, which are adapted to be dispersed by wind due to the presence of tufts of silky hairs.
Adenium multiflorum in nature can grow as a tall bush with thick trunks or a small tree 0.5-3 m high; its shape resembles a miniature baobab. The stems grow from a large underground rhizome. The bark is shiny, gray-brown in color, with poisonous watery latex inside.
Impala Lily(another name for Adenium multiflorum) is in the Red Book of Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, where its position is regarded as threatening. Most of its range in South Africa lies within the Kruger National Park, where adenium is protected, although it has no status. The main threats to varieties of this plant are collection for horticulture, medicinal use, agriculture and wildlife. Baboons have been observed, for example, destroying entire plants in order to feed on rhizome tubers.
The seeds ripen in double cylindrical pods up to 240 mm long. The seeds are brown with a tuft of silky hair, thanks to which they are easily dispersed by the wind across the desert.
During most of the year the plants have no flowers or leaves. The leaves are up to 100 mm long, bright green above and paler below, usually much wider towards the tip, and are arranged in clusters in the growing parts of the branches. They fall off before flowering.
The Impala Lily is used in southern Africa as a source of arrow poison for hunting fish and small animals. The poison is made from latex in the bark and fleshy parts of the trunk, but is always used in combination with other poisons. The leaves and flowers are poisonous to goats and cattle, but the plants are sometimes severely damaged by animals and are not believed to be of much toxicological importance. Despite its toxicity, adenium is used for medicinal purposes.
The flowers are arranged in inflorescences at the ends of the branches, each flower 50-70 mm in diameter. They are quite varied in color, usually with bright white petals, with a clear red border around the edges and red stripes in the center. Sometimes there are plants with pure white flowers. The flowers have a faint aroma.
In contrast to Adenium obesum, Adenium multiflorum does not vegetate in winter, regardless of the conditions. Its large and very wide leaves fall off in the fall, growth stops for 4 or more months with mandatory cold and dry maintenance. And only during this period there is abundant flowering, lasting for two to four months. The flowers are 6-7 cm in diameter, the petals are white with a clear red border along the edge. In culture it grows as quickly as Adenium obesum, but reaches maturity by 4-5 years.
The Impala Lily is highly prized for its flowers. The large plant in full bloom is among the most ornamental of all succulents, and is highly prized in gardens where the climate allows it to grow outdoors. Adenium multiflorum is cultivated in all parts of the Kruger National Park, for example.
Adenium multiflorum is not as widespread in cultivation as Adenium obesum. Probable reasons are slower growth (beginning of flowering only from 4-5 years) than Adenium obesum, the need for cool conditions during the dormant period and good winter light for abundant flowering, a relatively short flowering period.
. This type of adenium was described by Hans Schinz in 1888. Its distribution area is in the western part of southern Africa, from Namibia to Angola. This type of adenium, like all others, grows in poor, depleted soil with little water and plenty of sun. The caudex disappears with age. In nature, the plant can reach a height of two or more meters, the trunk thickness is up to 50 cm.
The juice of Adenium boehmianum is very bitter, and it is the only variety of adenium used by the Bushmen of Namibia to extract poison for arrows when hunting animals. The poison is extracted in winter, after the plants bloom. Adenium tubers are dug up and the juice is extracted by squeezing or heating the thicker branches and roots over a fire until the juice runs out. The juice is then boiled down to a light brown, thick syrup, cooled and applied to the arrows. This latex does not usually mix when used with other poisons. Concentrated latex was reported to be used in trade between tribes. Large antelope usually die within 100m of where they are shot, while springbok usually survive for about an hour. Sometimes the latex of various Euphorbia species is added to make the venom even more potent.
Although Adenium boehmianum is considered to be closely related to Adenium swazicum, it is distributed in other parts of southern Africa and differs in many ways from Adenium swazicum. In nature, it is an upright, highly branched bush with silvery bark, 2-3 meters high, almost always growing among rocks. Its leaves, a pale grayish-green color, are the largest in the genus, up to 12 cm in length, flaring towards the tip. These plants have a very short summer growing season, so that they are covered with foliage only 3 months a year, and this does not depend on being kept in more comfortable conditions than in nature. The caudex is weakly expressed.
The flowers are almost round in appearance and flowering can occur from late summer to early winter. The flowers of Adenium boehmianum, distinguished by lilac-pink or bluish-white flowers with a purple throat and corolla tube, are very similar to the flowers of Adenium swazicum, although usually smaller in size - up to 5 cm in diameter. Adenium boehmianum blooms for only a few weeks during the period of active growth. Blooms later than other varieties, but Adenium boehmianum in bloom is a very beautiful sight.
Due to its short growing season and flowering period and slow growth, Adenium boehmianum is rarely used in cultivation, although there are already quite interesting hybrids with Adenium obesum.
Adenium swazicum. This variety of adenium is common on the east coast of southern Africa, Swaziland and adjacent areas of South Africa and Mozambique. Adenium swazicum grows as a bush, much lower in height than Adenium obesum or Adenium multiflorum, but is more widespread.
The height of the bush in nature usually does not exceed 30 cm; specimens up to 65 cm in height are rarely found. It grows in open areas covered with low vegetation, usually on sandy, brackish soils at altitudes up to 300-400 m. Several greenish, white or dirty gray branches usually grow from a massive underground root.
The stems of most clones are quite weak, growing horizontally or even hanging from the pot. Mature plants have massive roots and thick flexible stems, but the aboveground caudex disappears with age. As a result of selection, clones with vertical growth and dark, well-shaped flowers are now also found.
The long, narrow leaves are 13 cm long and 3 cm wide, have a lighter green color than most adeniums, slightly widening towards the end or tapering towards both ends, with slightly wavy edges. In bright sun, the leaves usually bend upward along their longitudinal axis.
Like Adenium obesum, this species is practically evergreen with regular watering and appropriate maintenance conditions; in other conditions it can fall into a long winter hibernation. In greenhouse or tropical conditions, growth stops in the fall, but the leaves fall off gradually during the winter; new growth begins in early spring.
Adenium swazicum typically blooms for several months in late summer and early fall. Some clones can be in almost continuous flowering, pausing for a few weeks at the end of winter. Adenium swazicum produces leaves and flowers at the same time.
The wide petals of the flowers are uniform in color from the edges of the petal to the edge of the darker neck; the flowers are medium in size - 6-7 cm in diameter. The color is usually pure pink, but in some clones it can be purple. There are also clones with dark red or white flowers. The anther appendages are short and hidden deep in the floral tube.
Under artificial growing conditions, Adenium swazicum very rarely forms seed pods due to pollination difficulties. Most clones and hybrids of Adenium swazicum are affected by spider mites.
Adenium swazicum is used in intergeneric hybrids with Adenium obesum, and some of the best flowering hybrids belong to this group.
Adenium swazicum is one of the hardiest and easiest to grow adeniums and is valued for its compactness and unusual flower color, and its hybrids compete with the most beautiful types of adeniums in terms of originality and duration of flowering. Adenium swazicum is rightly considered easy to cultivate and grows well in apartment conditions. Adenium swazicum, at rest and completely dry, can withstand temperatures down to minus 2°C.
Adenium swazicum is protected by law in Swaziland due to threats of extinction due to agricultural development, harvesting for resale and collections, urban development and habitat degradation.
- the smallest and slowest growing of all adenium species - was described by Otto Stapf in 1907. It grows on rocky mountain ridges, limestone outcrops, sandy or sometimes rocky soils, mainly in the Kalahari Desert in southern Botswana, South Africa (western parts of the North-West and Limpopo and northern parts of the Northern Cape) and eastern Namibia at altitudes up to 700-1,200 m. Grows in severely depleted soil with little moisture and plenty of sunny days.
The olive green leaves are very long and narrow with almost parallel edges, 50-110 mm long and 4-13 mm wide, and are clustered at the ends of the branches, but do not tend to curl upward along the longitudinal axis as in Adenium swazicum.
Pollinated pods, 8-11 cm long, smoothly tapering towards the apex, bend when ripe, opening along the longitudinal seam and often grow for more than a year until full ripening. The seeds, linear-oblong, 12-15 mm long, brown, striped, with tufts of long brownish hairs at both ends, much larger than those of other species, germinate very well. Adenium oleifolium is rarely offered for sale, and although easy to grow, it grows extremely slowly.
The mostly underground, carrot-like trunk can reach up to 30 centimeters in diameter with age. The aboveground stems are not noticeably thickened and become completely smooth with age. and an adult plant can reach a height of no more than 60 centimeters. Although Adenium oleifolium has a limited natural distribution, it does not appear to be in immediate danger of extinction.
People living in the southwestern part of the Kalahari Desert prepare a balm from the plant, which is used against the bites of scorpions and poisonous snakes. The root juice is also used by them to treat fever and colic. In large doses - laxative and poison.
Arrow poison is also made from the latex of an extremely bitter tuber. Tests with guinea pigs, cats and rats, which were injected with substances extracted from adenium tubers using alcohol extraction, caused anxiety, increased tone, rapid breathing, convulsions and death.
The flowers are pink with a white or golden center; the inflorescences appear simultaneously with the leaves. As a result of selection, it was possible to develop Adenium oleifolium with flowers of darker shades. The plants bloom for several months in the summer.
Research is being conducted regarding the chemical composition and pharmacological actions of Adenium oleifolium formulations. Opportunities to develop Adenium oleifolium as an ornamental plant are limited due to its slow growth.
This variety of Adenium is native to Somalia, Tanzania and Kenya. Many sources provide different data on the height of Somali adenium in nature - from 1.5 to 5 m. Obviously, the height of Adenium somalense depends on the area and growing conditions of this species.
The highest of them is described as Adenium var somalense, somalense Balf. f. was found in Somalia, Tanzania and northwestern Kenya. (In most of Kenya, Somali adenium is a shrubby plant with smaller trunks, apparently from crossing with another species of adenium, Adenium obesum, which is common in the coastal zone of this country.
This same giant Adenium Somalia has a very wide base (caudex), a distinctly conical tall trunk, which is different from Adenium Obesum. It is noted that the height of these plants is 3 times greater than human height, and the caudex is equal in volume to a 200-liter water reservoir. In nature, each such plant creates its own sculptural project.
In summer it can be kept outdoors in a sunny or slightly shaded place. This type of adenium needs a lot of light and fresh air.
Keep it in a bright place in winter. Ideally the temperature should not be below 12°C. The preferred temperature for winter keeping is 12-16°C. Give the plant the necessary rest in winter.
In winter, plants can easily tolerate temperature drops down to 9-11°C (they can tolerate temperatures down to -5°C for a short time). Long periods of temperatures below 4°C can damage some of the adenium branches.
Adenium somalense is available in cultivation and is easy to grow. Almost all cultivated plants have a shrubby form, which is assumed to be intermediate with Adenium obesum. This variety has an obligatory dormant period, usually starting in November or December. The plants do not leaf out until flowering has peaked in late spring.
Flowering branches are quite thin and long. The leaves are also elongated, narrow (5 -10 cm long and 1.8 - 2.5 cm wide), bright green, often with white veins, look very attractive. Leaves usually fall off in winter.
From the experience of growing a tree-like tall variety of Adenium Somalia, it is noted that the plants grow extremely quickly, reaching a height of 1.5 m in 18 months with a complete absence of branches. Over the following years, the plants hardly increase in height, but thicken significantly and produce numerous thin branches dotted with flowers.
Adenium Somalense blooms with beautiful exotic usually pink 5 petaled flowers and in full sun flowers can form throughout most of the year. With age, Somali adenium forms a massive stem, but when grown from seeds it begins to bloom very early, usually at the age of 1 - 1.5 years at a height of 15 cm.
The flower is smaller than that of Adenium obesum, usually up to 4 - 5 cm in diameter with narrower petals. The floral tube contains 15-25 stamens, which may extend beyond the neck of the flower.
The color of the flower can vary from pink to deep red, and, like Adenium obesum, the color becomes less intense towards the neck of the flower. The flowering period of cultivated plants usually lasts from autumn to early summer, but can and does change significantly under the influence of selection.
Adenium Somalense is good for bonsai. It looks impressive in small flat decorative pots and serves as decoration for living rooms, bedrooms and small spaces.
The distribution area of Adenium crispum is the same as that of Adenium somalense, but, nevertheless, Adenium crispum does not acquire the characteristics of another subspecies.
Adenium somalense var. crispum is considered one of the subspecies of Adenium Somalia, but is very different from its closest relative. The plant has an exceptionally original underground caudex in the shape of a turnip. The relatively fine roots grow almost exclusively from the lower part of the trunk, which is located just below the soil surface, in contrast to the thick, succulent roots of the tree-like form of this adenium species, which grow from the base of the wide, above-ground trunk. Several vertical, above-ground, not very thick stems rarely grow above 30 cm in height.
Adenium crispum grows slowly under culture conditions; it takes approximately five years to grow a specimen with distinctive characteristics, although the caudex remains small for a long time. The caudex usually rises above the soil level to give the plant a distinctive, potted dwarf-like appearance.
The flowers of Adenium crispum are also different from those of Adenium Somalia. Compared to the tree form, they have a wider neck, and the white and pink petals are smaller and narrower. The edges of the petals often curl downwards. Some plants have flower petals that are deep red. Flowering in cultivation is sporadic; it seems to be more severe during the winter dormancy, but may also continue into the summer. Adenium crispum grown from seeds can bloom before the age of two years, when it reaches a height of 15 cm.
The leaves are narrow, long, usually with strongly wavy edges (crisped - which gives the name to this subspecies), and noticeable white veins.
. Adenium somalense var. Nova is also one of the subspecies of Somali adenium, and an even closer relationship can be traced to Adenium somalense var. crispum. This species is characterized by a turnip-shaped caudex. The plant, like Adenium Crispum, has an exclusively original underground caudex in the shape of a turnip. The relatively fine roots grow almost exclusively from the lower part of the trunk, which is located just below the soil surface. Several vertical, above-ground, not very thick stems rarely grow above 30 cm in height.
Tanzania is most often mentioned as its distribution area. It grows in the sandy soils of the semi-deserts of Tanzania and neighboring countries. Adenium nova was discovered and separated into a subspecies relatively recently; not all researchers recognize it as a separate subspecies; any more or less detailed descriptions of it are practically absent. Nevertheless, several of its characteristic features are easy to identify.
Adenium nova grows in nature as a small bush.
First of all, the leaves are even narrower and longer, and unlike Adenium crispum, with smooth, straight edges. The leaves have white veins characteristic of this species.
The flowers of this subspecies of adenium are similar to the flowers of Somalia adenium. If the narrow long leaves of Adenium Nova are more similar to the leaves of Adenium crispum, then the flowers of Adenium Nova are very difficult to distinguish from the flowers of Adenium Somalia. The shape and size of the flower and even the characteristic pale pink color of the Adenium somalense var. Nova with edges of a richer pink color correspond to similar parameters of Adenium somalense var. somalense. Some plants have flower petals that are deep red. Flowering of Adenium Nova, according to one source, usually begins in mid-summer and continues for several months. It is also noted that this type of adenium is easy to cultivate and lends itself well to crossing with other types of adenium.
. Endemic to the isolated island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean, south of the Arabian Peninsula and east of the Horn of Africa. Due to increased interest, island laws protect this plant from uncontrolled export.
Adenium socotranum is endemic to the island of Soqotra. This species is by far the largest variety of adenium in size, reaching a height of 4.6 m with a usually cylindrical trunk up to 2.5 m in diameter at the base. Its greatest difference from all other varieties (except the Omani form of Adenium arabicum) is its very short growing season. Plants rarely develop green foliage before mid-summer, and only grow for a few weeks.
Some specimens grow into tall trees, while others may be small in stature with swollen bases that are flatter on the ground (this variety is virtually unknown in cultivation). Few plants observed in European collections are leafy for only a few summer months, with leaves appearing even later than in Adenium boehmianum.
It grows among stones in sand or other fairly depleted soil. This plant is an example of morphological and physiological adaptation to harsh environmental conditions, which allows it to cope with dry climate and harsh monsoon winds. Adenium socotranum has a special sap in cells that circulates through the trunk, thereby preventing the plant from overheating. Plant trunks are spherical or columnar, which reduces the surface area and. accordingly, evaporation. The waxy surface of the trunk and the special microanatomical epidermal structure of the bark allow it to reflect solar radiation.
If Adenium Socotra is placed in a large container, the differences between the varieties will become more obvious. Adenium socotranum develops a swollen caudex at a young age, much faster than its relatives (such as Adenium arabicum and Adenium multiflorum), with more pronounced but also thinner branches.
Its remote location, large size, and until recently unavailability made it quite rare and expensive among adeniums. However, this species, despite its external exoticism even among generally exotic adeniums, is overvalued by collectors, because this species is very slow-growing, and it will take many decades for it to reach impressive sizes.
The flowers are pale pink with brighter edges. 10-13 cm in diameter. It blooms very rarely in indoor floriculture and in collections. Pink flowers appear in spring, while the plant is completely leafless, and last for several weeks. The seeds are large, approximately 1.5-2 centimeters. The leaves are approximately 12 cm long, usually widening towards the end of the leaf, and are dark green in color with white veins. The leaves are smooth and shiny, collected in dense rosettes at the ends of the branches.
Adenium socotranum is currently the most beautiful and rarest species of adenium and is little known in cultivation. Although a number of hybrids have already been bred and their cultivation has been established, due to its slow growth, Socotra adenium is still the most expensive and rare type of adenium.
. It grows along the southern and western edge of the Arabian Peninsula. In drier habitats, these plants are short and grow as a bush with a large, wide aboveground caudex; in wetter areas, Adenium arabica grows as a tree. The smooth, shiny leaves are larger in size than those of Adenium obesum and tend to become wider as they grow. In southern Yemen, the plants are distinguished by short, wide trunks and the largest leaves in the genus - 20 cm long and 12 cm wide, even larger than Adenium boehmianum, which some researchers erroneously reported had the largest leaves of all adenium species. The trunk of Adenium arabica can reach a meter in diameter.
The Saudi form of adenium can produce a vertical trunk up to four meters in height. Higher in the mountains the trunk decreases in height and increases in diameter.
In cultivation, this variety has a pronounced dormant state in winter, and becomes covered with green foliage a few weeks after Adenium obese, grown under the same conditions. The Saudi form retains leaves all year round but grows only during the hot season.
To obtain a plant with a large caudex, Adenium Arabian must be grown from seeds. The most successful breeding work is carried out in Thailand. A large number of new varieties of this type of adenium have been bred there. The following names are chosen for these varieties: “Saudi Bull”, “Black Knight”, “Black Giant”, “Bull Strike” and etc.
Both Yemeni and Saudi forms of this variety of adeniums only relatively recently became available to hobbyists. They are as easy to grow as other adeniums. The most common cultivar sold as Adenium obesum "Singapore" is most likely derived from the Yemen form of Adenium arabica and is a hybrid with Adenium obesum.
Plants begin to bloom at the end of hibernation in early spring, flowering continues until early summer. The Saudi form has a primary flowering period in spring, but flowers may appear sporadically throughout the year. Flowers vary in size and color. In the Saudi form they are approximately 4 cm in diameter. The form from southern Yemen has flowers up to 8.5 cm. The petals are bright pink with a slight decrease in saturation towards a lighter neck. The seed pods (at least the Yemeni form) are much larger than those of Adenium obesum and are dark red; the seeds are accordingly also larger in size.
Adenium arabicum is a true highlight of the collection. Plants grown from seed produce the most amazing trunk shapes, and a 10-year-old plant can cost over $1,000.
In countries with hot, dry climates, adenium arabica is also used as a garden plant.
Distinguishing features of this species include a thick, squat caudex and large, fleshy leaves; this variety is most similar to a desert plant. The seeds are especially large among adeniums and produce seedlings that quickly form a good solid trunk. The shape of the plant is very variable, you can see some interesting plant shapes on this page. The growth form of Adenium arabica is always squat with a clearly defined voluminous trunk without much differentiation between the trunk and branches. The bark of the plant is also more varied in color - from purple to dark brown. The flowers are pink to reddish pink.
Lighting. Adenium prefers bright direct light, without shading (southern exposure is optimal for it) 
exposure). But if there was little light in the winter, then in the spring they should be gradually accustomed to direct sunlight. The trunk of young adenium plants is quite sensitive to sunlight, and if you have direct sunlight indoors for 3-5 hours, the plant should be shaded (for example, with other small succulents) to avoid burns.
Temperature. Adenium is thermophilic, feels good in summer at a temperature of 25-30°C. It is advisable to take adenium out into the open air in the summer (it should be protected from precipitation to avoid waterlogging of the soil). With decreasing daylight hours and air temperature, the growth of adenium slows down and it enters a period of rest. During this period, its leaves turn yellow and fall off. During the winter dormancy period, the optimal temperature is 12-15°C, not lower than 10°C. Adenium does not tolerate hypothermia of the root system.
Watering. In summer, water regularly, making sure that the soil does not become waterlogged, since adenium is sensitive to excessive watering; the soil should dry out between waterings. Watering should only be done with warm water. In winter, watering is limited, depending on the temperature; if the temperature is between 16-20°C, then watered limitedly, and only when the substrate is completely dry. In a cool room, water very rarely or not at all; If the plant is young, then it needs to be watered sparingly. When the plant emerges from the dormant state, the first watering must be done very carefully and with a small amount of water; if the plant was in a dry state during the dormant period, then it is not watered immediately, but after two to three weeks, after the growth buds have awakened and the plant has started to grow. height.
Adenium can be sprayed during the growing season, from a small spray bottle, but during flowering, water should not get on the flowers, as they lose their decorative effect.
Fertilizer. From spring to autumn, feed once a month with fertilizers for indoor plants, diluted to 1-2% concentration.
Features of cultivation. In the spring, if necessary, you can prune adenium. This operation must be carried out at the beginning of vegetative growth. If, when forming adenium, you want to get a plant with one stem, then you need to cut the branches or trunk to one third of their height; if you want to get a bushy plant with several trunks, then trim the plants as low as possible. In young plants, you can pinch the tops of the branches.
Transfer. Adenium is replanted in the spring: young ones annually, adults as needed. The pot for adult plants is chosen to be wide and shallow; it is also advisable to use light pots, as they heat up less in strong light. After transplanting, water the adenium not immediately so that the damaged roots dry out.
The soil. The substrate for transplanting adenium should be breathable, loose, with an acidity close to neutral. It is made up of equal parts of turf, leaf soil and coarse sand (1:1:1); it is also necessary to add charcoal to the mixture. For old specimens, turf soil is taken in large quantities, and crushed brick is added to it. Good drainage is necessary. The plant is not watered for the first 5-6 days after transplantation.
Reproduction. Propagated in spring by seeds, apical cuttings, or grafting on oleander.
When propagating adenium by seeds(seeds lose their viability during storage, take this into account when sowing), they are sown in February - March, before planting in the ground, they can first be soaked for 30-40 minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate, or in a systemic or biological fungicide. Then soak for several hours in warm water with a zircon solution. The substrate for sowing seeds is made up of vermiculite, sand and charcoal. Seeds are sown in a moist substrate, without embedding in the ground, and lightly sprinkled. The containers are placed in a warm place with a temperature of 32-35°C, shoots appear within 7 days. At a lower temperature of 21-25°C, the time for emergence of seedlings increases and there is a danger of seed rotting. After the seeds hatch, they must be illuminated with a fluorescent lamp. The required air humidity and temperature (not lower than 18°C) should be maintained and ventilated regularly. After the first pair of leaves appears, adeniums are gradually accustomed to the conditions of an adult plant. When the seedling has a second pair of leaves, they are planted in suitable pots.
Propagation by apical cuttings carried out in spring or summer, but this is not always possible, since the cuttings easily rot. The stalk is cut 10-15cm long, then it must be treated with charcoal and dried. Root the cuttings in perlite, crushed expanded clay, or a mixture of sand and charcoal. Clean sand is poured around the root collar or pieces of charcoal are placed, which protects the base of the stem from rotting. Maintain a temperature of 25-30°C and good lighting. It is necessary to ensure that the substrate is not too waterlogged, as this threatens the cuttings to rot. Under favorable conditions, rooting occurs within a month.
Reproduction by air layering should be carried out in late spring or early summer, during the active growing season. On a shoot at least 2 cm thick in diameter, a shallow circular cut is made with a sharp knife, dried, and then treated with a root formation stimulator. The incision is wrapped with sphagnum moss and opaque polyethylene film (secured with thread, wire or tape). Sphagnum moisturizes periodically. The roots appear within a month - after the roots appear, the cuttings are separated and planted in soil suitable for an adult plant.
A plant grown from cuttings does not have thickened stems - caudex, typical of adenium.
Adenium is grafted onto oleander or onto adenium. When grafted onto oleander, such specimens are hardier and bloom better. Oblique cuts are made on the scion and rootstock, aligned and secured with an elastic band or a special grafting spray. The temperature is maintained at 30-35°C, intense lighting and high air humidity are provided. The grafted plant should be protected from direct sunlight and tops and shoots from the rootstock should be removed in a timely manner.
Precautionary measures
Adenium juice is very poisonous. After working with adenium, you must wash your hands with soap. Be careful when growing adenium if there are small children or animals in the house.
Possible difficulties
The leaves of the plant turned yellow and fell off. The reason may be a sudden change in conditions, or hypothermia or drafts. In the autumn, with a decrease (but not sharp) in temperature and daylight hours, this indicates the beginning of a dormant period.
The leaves of the plant have turned yellow and fallen off (caudex rot). Severe waterlogging of the soil at temperatures less than 200. To check whether this is a seasonal fall of leaves, click on the caudex at the soil level, and if it is soft, then it is still rot.
Treatment requires warmth for the root system and a minimum of moisture. In winter, you can place it together with the pot on a heating radiator. Water only with warm water.
Damaged
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