Adenium obesum
desert rose
A native of East Africa, the desert rose will grow from 6 1/2 to
10 feet in the wild. It has fleshy leaves and beautiful 2-inch pink
open-trumpet shaped flowers. It is a succulent, and forms more of a
bush than a tree. It will be an indoor bonsai in all but the warmest
climates.
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Species suitable for bonsai |
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Lighting:
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Needs lots of light and fresh air. Keep in a bright
location in winter. In summer, if possible, move outdoors to a
sunny or partly shaded location.
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Temperature:
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Never below 54 degrees; however, in the winter,
keeping it cool (between 54-61 degrees) gives the plant a needed
rest.
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Watering:
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Needs little water during winter, especially when kept
cool. Increase water during growing and blooming periods. The
total watering needed is similar to crassula, portulacaria and
other succulents, and it will lose leaves if overwatered.
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Feeding:
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Monthly during spring and summer with liquid bonsai
fertilizer. Fish emulsion is also reported to work well.
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Repotting:
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Root prune and repot every two years, after the
winter rest period, in a mix of 2 parts bonsai soil, 2 parts
peat, and one part sand. Can tolerate being pot-bound.
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Styling:
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Do heavy pruning after the rest period. New shoots
can be pruned regularly. The sap is poisonous, so clean hands
after pruning, and avoid getting sap into open wounds.
Unfortunately, like many of these milky-sapped trees, it bleeds
profusely, so heavy pruning should be avoided when possible, for
both its sake and yours!
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Propagation:
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Similar to jade trees - cuttings need to be dried
for 3-4 days before planting in a sand-peat mix.
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Some species suitable for bonsai:
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Joan Arthur
JArthur@aol.com
November 19, 1997
I've just obtained one of these (and they are not easy to find or cheap in the UK). I live in the south of England. It's on a South facing window with full light in a reasonably warm room (say 54 F, or warmer). It's in reasonably well drained soil. It's not overfed. It's losing it's leaves fast. Day light hours are down to about 8/9 hours. Am I onto a loser or is this plant just bedding down for the winter?
Are there any experts out there who can stop me feeling neurotic about losing this plant before it flowers, hopefully, next year?
Thierry ALBERTO
natural@guetali.fr
October 26, 1997
Hello,
About Adenium you cantake a look to my home page now:
www.guetali.fr/home/natural
under construction in English, but at this time in French.
Bye!
Robert Simkunas II
f_simkunascj@titan.sfasu.edu
October 20, 1997
I have one Adenium obesum plant that I bought about two
years ago. When I got it the only thing I new about the
plant was: Adenium (Desert Rose). Through pains taking
efferts I identified its species and family. As for its
cultural requirements I had to guess every thing. I judged
it as a desert succulent, based on its common name, and
cared for it as so. My Adenium thrived under these
conditions: SUMMER: direct sun, 70-100+ F, soil kept moist.
WINTER: direct sun, 70 F, watered when dry.
Watering was tricky at first and I learned that
A. obesum is not that drought hardy. The hotter it got
during the summer the more water my plant needed. In my
experience A. obesum only likes dry conditions in cooler
weather.
This fall I took a cutting off my Adenium and
discovered that dusting sulfer will stop the plant from
bleeding instantly. Another guess that turned out to work!
My Adenium is thriving today and has flowered perfusly
each summer. A winter dormancy does not seem to be
required, but I am not sure about this.
Robert Simkunas II
f_simkunascj@titan.sfasu.edu
October 20, 1997
I have one Adenium obesum plant that I bought about two
years ago. When I got it the only thing I new about the
plant was: Adenium (Desert Rose). Through pains taking
efferts I identified its species and family. As for its
cultural requirements I had to guess every thing. I judged
it as a desert succulent, based on its common name, and
cared for it as so. My Adenium thrived under these
conditions: SUMMER: direct sun, 70-100+ F, soil kept moist.
WINTER: direct sun, 70 F, watered when dry.
Watering was tricky at first and I learned that
A. obesum is not that drought hardy. The hotter it got
during the summer the more water my plant needed. In my
experience A. obesum only likes dry conditions in cooler
weather.
This fall I took a cutting off my Adenium and
discovered that dusting sulfer will stop the plant from
bleeding instantly. Another guess that turned out to work!
My Adenium is thriving today and has flowered perfusly
each summer. A winter dormancy does not seem to be
required, but I am not sure about this.
Robert Simkunas II
f_simkunascj@titan.sfasu.edu
October 20, 1997
I have one Adenium obesum plant that I bought about two
years ago. When I got it the only thing I new about the
plant was: Adenium (Desert Rose). Through pains taking
efferts I identified its species and family. As for its
cultural requirements I had to guess every thing. I judged
it as a desert succulent, based on its common name, and
cared for it as so. My Adenium thrived under these
conditions:
Summer Winter
Light: direct sun direct sun
Temp: 70-100+ F 70 F
Water: kept miost watered when dry
Watering was tricky at first and I learned that
A. obesum is not that drought hardy. The hotter it got