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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Lighting:

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.

Temperature:

Never below 54 degrees; however, in the winter, keeping it cool (between 54-61 degrees) gives the plant a needed rest.

Watering:

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.

Feeding:

Monthly during spring and summer with liquid bonsai fertilizer. Fish emulsion is also reported to work well.

Repotting:

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.

Styling:

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!

Propagation:

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 
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 
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.   
       
       
    
 



Thierry ALBERTO
natural@guetali.fr
October 13, 1997
I'm from Reunion Island near Madagascar; I am responsable of the Natural Botanic Garden of Reunion Island(www.guetali.fr/home/natural) and our "mascote" is the Desert Rose;
We produce Adenium by seeds, and by this way the seedlings are producing the famous CAUDEX which confer a real attrativity to the plant.
I'm searching correspondents all over the world for joining me in the "International Adenium Society".
We think that the ADENIUM IS MORE THAN A SIMPLE PLANT...
Thierry ALBERTO
Manager



Bill Wilcox, Spartanburg S.C.
Jnglmn1960@aol.com
October 01, 1997
Hello,
I bought my first Adenium about 6 months ago. It`s been outside on my side porch ever since I purchased it. Its about 2 feet tall and has incredibly beautiful aerial roots.I gave this tree no special treatment at all.I just shot it some water every few days, and fertilized it every 2 weeks. I was rewarded with Some beatiful blooms about mid September. Are all you people who are having trouble with them keeping them indoors? Am I in for trouble when I bring it in for winter?
If not. Maybe you guys are OVER- caring for yours. Mine was a cinch!



David Thurbon
dwt213@anu.edu.au
September 15, 1997
I have this plant at home as a small tree.
I have never bonsai'd it but it grows quite well and stays
small.  It is very easy to grow, but cannot stand long periods 
of drought as you might expect.  In fact when it has leaves
and is growing, it should be watered whenever the soil looks
dry.  Prolonged dry conditions will cause it to drop its
leaves, a condition often associated with overwatering.  The 
only time when it should not be watered heavily is in winter
when it loses most leaves, and even at this time it should
not be kept too dry.  The plant should never be left dry for so
long that the trunk feels spongy when squeezed lightly.
Grown indoors here in Canberra Australia (35 degrees south,
650m altitude) it loses its leaves only for the first two 
months of winter.  Needs good lighting and warmth to grow well.




Eric Neagle
elneag01@homer.louisville.edu
August 11, 1997
I just ran onto this site when looking for some pictures of Adenium obesum. I have had one of these for about 10 years or so. I noticed that there were alot of questions about pruning and bonsai of this plant. I have recently become interested in this also. Last summer, I cut my 2 foot tall Adenium obesum var. multiflorum down to about 8 inches. I also began to expose the large root by removing about an inch of dirt every 6-8 weeks. I now have it growing in a shallow bosai pot. The look of the root system being exposed is quite nice. And it still flowered this winter after all the stress of being cut back. There is a book that I found really helpful. It is called Caudiciform and Pachycaul Succulents by Gordon Rowley. It's kind of expensive ($80), so check your local library first.



Heidi
natural7@bellsouth.net
May 19, 1997
I have 2 adeniums, one is 12 to 14 inches, when first 
purchased, it was full of life, leaves and flowers, then it
lost everything, tips looks like it is burnt... root is fine.

My 3ft. adenim had quite lovely leaves and flowers until white
sticky/gluey substance took over.  It is all over the tips of
branches and some of the stems.  It is quite disheartening to
see both of my adeniums in such an ill state!  What can I do
to revive the plants and what is the white sticky/gluey sub-
stance?

Heidi
Atlanta, Georgia



James Worley
Attaboy@geocities.com
May 18, 1997
 Very interseted in growing one of these indoors(bonsi). 
Would a sunny south facing window be suitable? Sugestions
on caring for the Desert Rose while indoors would be greatly
appreciated. 

Jim, 

Atlanta, Georgia 



Thomas Richardson
tuucan@aol.com
May 15, 1997
I just purchased an adenium obsesum which is only 10inches tall.
Most of the 8 branches are only 2-4 inches.  I am interested in
pruning the middle 10 inch branch in order to produce a more 
uniform plant.  I have searched the web and can only find advice 
about the jade plant.  Soon if I can not find any info I'm just 
going to cut that middle branch about half way down at a slight
angle.  I am very worried about what might happen.  If someone
could please give me some sculpting advice to produce a more 
interestig plant in the long run I would very much appreciate
this.  Thanks.



Dave Scott
davescot@ix.netcom.com
April 29, 1997
BEWARE!!!
According to another web site, the sap of the Desert
Rose contains a substance like digitalis and is
poisonous!




Jeff Davidson
Stray4u@aol.com
April 23, 1997
Is it OK if my Adenium pushes itself out of its pot? About half of its large root is exposed. It seems allright. Is there a method to getting the trunk to swell? Mine did put out seedpods once, through no special effort from me. It gets full sun through a screen in S. Florida, and sporadic feedings. The seeds grew. Other than its motherplant, I have no others that could cross-polinate it.



John W. Baier
baier@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu
April 17, 1997
I too am trying to find out how to propagate Adenium from seed.
There does not seem to be any anthers nor pollen.  And if there
is a pistil, it seems to be split into about 5 threadlike structures.

I have a picture of my Adenium obesum at:

URL: http://nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu/~dissoc/ism4220/sp95/baier/index.html

under my "Little Shop of Horrors"

John W. Baier







Norm Hefner
normandi@gte.net
April 11, 1997
I need some input from someone who know the propagation of this plant.  It is easy as Cacti by cuttings.  I would like to generate seeds so that I can gets the foot which are produced only by seed.

My flowering adenium don't seem to show any pollen.  I'm wondering how the bean is produced in nature.

I have tried for about two seasons but have not  had any success.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.   Norm Hefner





Norm Hefner
normandi@gte.net
April 10, 1997
I am interested in propagating desert rose (adenium )  I would be interested in seed production.  What would be the best source for this info.



Al Holloway
alrih@aol.com
November 02, 1996
Is the Adenium Obesium the same as the Portulacaria Afra
(elephant tree)?
I am a new owner, in Michigan and my tree appears healthy. 
I plan on letting it grow naturally and start shaping/pruning
in the spring.  
Appreciate any input on how to shape the species.





ohmigod...I *had* one of these!  I didn't know what it was and I never
grew it as bonsai.  Sorry you had to shamelessly crib; I'll be glad to
note my experience by annotating your post.  Hope it helps.

BTW, if you know where to mail order, I'd just love to replace the
lost treasure.  (And I promise to bring it inside before first frost.
(Frost = Disaster)

[stuff from my original post snipped]

*Outdoors spring, summer, (warm) fall.  The MOST beautiful,
open-trumpet shaped flowers.  Extremely long lasting.

Lighting: *Summered on south-facing porch in full sun
Wintered in totally unobstructed, north window of quite-well-lit and
airy room.  (As airy as possible during winter's dryness in
zone 5.)

Temperature: *North side room with vaulted ceiling and glass on three sides,
tends to be on the _cool_ side.


Watering: *needs strict adherence to this


Feeding:  *fish emulsion

Repotting: *doesn't mind being pot-bound

Styling:  *extremely sappy; beware of _heavy_ pruning

Gail Sheldon
Western Mass., USA, Zone 5
gail.e.sheldon@ussev.mail.abb.com

=================================================================

From: writeon@x31.infi.net (Katie & Dan Orescanin)
Subject: Re: Desert Rose draft - comments?
X-UIDL: 831105261.009
>
>Adenium obesum - desert rose
>
Yes, Sabrina, I have a desert rose and the only thing I can add to your
information is on:
>
>Watering: Needs little water during winter, especially when kept
>cool.  Increase water during growing and blooming periods.
>

Do not give this plant (or bonsai) any more water than you would a jade
plant or other succulent.  I live in Florida so it is outdoors all year
except for cold snaps and it thrives on very little water.  I learned the
hard way (it lost all leaves and sulked) to water only every 2nd or 3rd day
depending on whether it is in full sun or partial shade.
Momentarily it will have a blossom unless I get heavy with water.

Katie
Inverness, Fl






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Information Sources:

Information on this plant is taken from "Bonsai in Your Home" by Paul Lesniewicz, with additional help from Gail Sheldon and Katie Orescanin.


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