Pink Adenium Obesum Flower

While I could consider this past summer a failure in the garden, for several reasons, one reason why it will go do down in history as one of the best growing seasons is because one of my Adenium Obesums was in bloom. It only had three blooms, but this pink Adenium Obesum flower was my favorite flower in the garden.

Adenium Obesum Flowers and Seed Pod

On a recent visit to the Garfield Park Conservatory I came across this potted Adenium obesum which made me realize just how much I've neglected my own Desert Roses this year. I have yet to officially try to bring them out of dormancy, even though they are leafing out on their own.

Propagating Adenium Obesum By Cuttings

In a previous entry I wrote about how the warm temperatures indoors this winter were causing my Adenium obesum to break dormancy. Since my Adeniums don't want to stay dormant and prefer to grow during this time I figured I'd take advantage of the situation and propagate a branch or two from my plant. Normally propagation of plants is done during the spring and summer when plants are actively growing but I think I can have some success with a little extra care. Here I used a specialized bonsai tool called a 'concave cutter' but a sharp pair of scissors or shears should be adequate. The reason I used a concave cutter is because unlike garden pruners you're familiar with a concave cutter doesn't make a flat cut but a concave one. The reason a concave cut is desired is because this help a tree heal faster and when the wound closes it isn't as noticeable. To see larger pictures in this entry click the images to enlarge them.

Desert Rose Breaking Dormancy

(Desert Rose (Adenium Obesum) breaking dormancy)

Adenium Obesum: Fertilizer Damage

A couple of weeks ago I somehow mistook my liquid houseplant fertilizer for my bottle of liquid cacti & succulent fertilizer when I decided to fertilize my Adenium Obesum plants. The next day the leafs starting showing signs of fertilizer burn and were browning at the tips.

My Adenium Obesum/Propagation

In a previous garden blog entry on how I care for the Adenium Obesum plants in my collection I wanted to include a current photo of the plants in my cacti & succulent collection. I just took a photo of mine to show what they're looking like now as they break dormancy and I start to give them water.

Adenium Obesum Care

Adenium Obesum, also known as Desert Rose, is native to Eastern Africa and Northern Arabia. They like full sun and are very heat tolerant. In the ground it can grow anywhere from 6-12 feet tall, it produces very attractive flowers and it is a popular plant among cacti and succulent collectors for it's unusual trunk.

Choosing House Plants: By Light Availability

It's tempting to run into a greenhouse and pick up the flowering plants that are set up front as impulse buys-I know I have been there. But when choosing a plant-in particular one that you will grow indoors-you'll find you have better success with houseplants if you buy according to the amount of light you can give your plant. Choosing your plants based on the amount of light you can give will increase the odds that your plant will survive the transition to your home. Here are some light and plant suggestions based on my experience.

Adenium Obesum Seedlings

I traded a Cacti & Succulent grower some bulbs in exchange for his Adenium Obesum seeds. I'm not sure what color they are, but I don't really care what color the blooms end up being. After I received the seeds I started Googling for info on sowing these seeds.

Adenium Obesum

After getting hooked on succulents this past summer, I kept drooling over the many photos I saw around the net. It's an interest succulent (member of the Oleander family)that produces very nice flowers.

While researching this plant I found out it originates from East Africa and can be propagated from seeds and from cuttings. All parts of this plant are toxic and should be kept away from children and animals.

I found this particular plant at a local Walmart store. It is nine inches tall, from the soil line, and the base of the plant is three inches wide. Not a bad looking plant considering it only cost me five dollars.