Adenium

 

Kutrov family. The birthplace of the adeniums is central and South Africa. Representatives of this genus belong to the group of tree-like stem succulents. In nature they reach gigantic sizes - up to 10 meters in height. In culture, they are quite demanding and whimsical, grow on average about 30-35 cm. Adenium was popularly called the Desert Rose, for flowers similar to rose flowers. Adenium sap is poisonous in all parts of the plant.

The species Adenium obesum thick Adenium obesum has spread in culture. It has a thickened stem, the caudex. Lateral, thinner stems depart from it. Caudex is able to store enough water to survive fairly long droughts. The leaves are linear, fleshy, covered with a waxy coating. Flowers usually appear in late spring, before the appearance of leaves, when the plant is just coming out of the dormant period. The flowers are pink or red, up to 7 cm in diameter.

адениумAdenium obesum 'Harry Potter'
адениумAdenium obesum 'Lai Nam Tok'
адениумAdenium obesum 'Fancy'

Adenium Cultivation Article: Adenium - Desert Rose

Caring for Adenium

Temperature

Adenium is thermophilic, about 25-27 ° C in summer, in winter in the range of 12-13 ° C. Does not tolerate supercooling of the root system, therefore, at low temperatures, complete dryness of the soil! For summer, it is better to put succulents outdoors in the garden or on the balcony. If the balcony is insulated, then adeniums can be taken out already in April, when the temperature is not lower than + 8 ° С, and brought into the house in October, or earlier, if the temperature can drop below + 8 ° С.

Lighting

For adenium, you need a very bright sunny place. It grows well on the south window. However, the bright sun in spring should be accustomed gradually. In winter, even on the southern windowsill it can be dark. The fact is that if it is warm - the usual temperature for the house is 24-26 ° C during the heating season - the adenium will continue to grow, but since there is little sun in winter and the day is short, the shoots begin to stretch, grind and turn pale. Therefore, you will have to install additional lighting, preferably phytolamps, or find a cooler place.

Watering

In spring and summer, they water moderately so that the soil dries between watering, but it is not desirable that the earth dries into dust. The main mistake in care is excessive watering - adenium is very sensitive to excessive watering, from this root rot can easily begin, buds turn black. But leaves dry from severe drying. In winter, watering is limited, depending on the temperature, the colder the rarer.

Fertilizer

With the formation of flowers and new leaves, adenium is fed with special fertilizer for ornamental flowering plants, adding it to water for watering. Top dressing every 2 weeks. The optimal ratio of NPK in fertilizer is 20-20-20, i.e. in equal proportions. Sometimes the tips of the leaves brown in adenium, if this is not due to strong drying of the soil, then perhaps the plants lack potassium. Try to carry out two top dressing with potassium nitrate or potassium monophosphate, dilute according to the instructions. Potassium starvation is especially often manifested in adeniums planted in pure peat.

Air humidity

Adenium loves regular spraying from a small sprayer, so that water does not flow in streams along branches. Keep water out of flowers during flowering.

Flight connections

In the spring annually. The soil should be loose and have a slightly acidic reaction. Any fertile clay soil with the addition of washed river sand is suitable. You can use a purchased soil mixture for cacti. Option of soil mixture: 1 part of sod soil, 1 part of sheet (or store soil), 1 part of baking powder (vermiculite or zeolite).

Drainage in plastic pots is required, in clay pots it is not required. The size of the pot does not need to be taken with a large margin, the adenium does not like spacious containers. Every year in spring, in March - April, if necessary (salinization of the soil), the upper layer of the earth is replaced, replacing with fresh. After transplantation, do not water for 1-2 days. If adenium care is good, proper watering and loose, breathable and sufficiently nutritious ground, succulents form a powerful root system, healthy roots are thick, light, well branched, but not very long. With such a root adenium, pots of equal height and width are suitable, and not cone-shaped.

Propagation of adeniums

Seeds, cuttings, branches. Adenium seeds lose germination during storage, so it is advisable to use only fresh seeds. They germinate better with soil heating, in a room greenhouse, at 26-28 degrees.

Cuttings for rooting should be cut in March-April. Dry the cuttings at room temperature for one to two days. Then plant in a mixture of universal soil, sand and vermiculite, taken in equal parts, in a small 5-6 cm pot. It is best to use a room greenhouse, a bag. And put in the brightest, sunniest place. If the weather is cloudy, turn on the lamp for the whole day. Water so that the soil in the pot is slightly moist - not dry, and not raw.

By the way

It is advisable to keep thick adenium during rest in a cool room, when the night temperature will be about + 13 ° C.

It can overwinter in normal room conditions, in warmth, but at the same time it is necessary to protect the adenium from the hot air of the batteries and water as the soil dries.

In order for the adenium to bloom for sure, it is better to observe the dormant period with cool content annually.

адениумAdeniums do not like too spacious pots, are easily formed and are very often grown as bonsai.

Growing problems

The leaves of the adenium are lethargic, the stem shrivels and blackens - the plant was flooded, perhaps it was too cold, and the soil dried out for a long time.

In spring, light, whitish spots appeared on the leaves - sunburn in the bright spring or summer sun after winter or long cloudy days.

And yet, a lot of sunlight is a prerequisite for flowering. The south or west window is most suitable for growing adeniums.

Adenium does not bloom, grows slowly - if it is necessary to transplant or feed with fertilizer; if no resting period was expressed.

The flowers wilt quickly - if the air is too hot and dry.

Adenium can be affected by mealybugs, scale insects and ticks.

At the same time, yellowish spots appear on the leaves, at first small, then they merge, become brighter. Then the leaves brown and dry out. The tops of the shoots shrink and dry out. Examine the leaves, if necessary, treat with insecticides or acaricides (from the tick).

When transplanting, never bury too deep caudex in succulents, only roots need to be sprinkled with soil.