These are excellent Rick! How old are they now? They are so fat. Love the veining on the leaves.

Mark

The seeds where sown Oct 2013. Slow little guys. I to love the leaves.

They are quite thick with deep white veining. Remind me of some of the Rhododendron leaves of my Species plants.

Quite something with the growing season for these. Out all summer looking like little bulbs on top of the soil. So glad you posted that info.

The differences between the species plants are quite intriguing.

Rick

I planted that seed as the original socotranuns in August 2014, already adubei several times, but growth is very slow, are similar to their Rick. Do these have my genetic material of Socotra?

Those are very nice, Relve. So healthy.

Rick

You are welcome Rick! Glad the info was helpful. The growth cycles are indeed very strange.

Your seedlings look great Relve, nice and fat also.

Mark

Every time I see these I want to get some seed for True Socs. They are so unique in form and leaf you gotta love em.

Tracy

Those look excellent Rick! It seems like you've figured it out with three. Love the veining on the leaves.

Mark

Rick, and others....

What is the desired goal when growing A. socotranum? Is it....who can grow the largest caudex? Is it the just the challenge of keeping them alive? Is it for the interesting roots?

Not being critical at all, but since these plants grow so slowly, waiting for a caudex to grow to the size of a pineapple must take decades, or, even longer given the short growing season/long dormancy, especially in non-Socotra climates. Bravos for your patience.

I'm asking because I'm just curious, really, and I'm sure that I would've probably tried to grow one of these plants - when I was 40-50 years younger. However, it's nice to see the photos, and I admire your dedication, and of others, who have stepped up to the challenges of this difficult plant.

Good luck, and happy growing to you all.

Frank

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I wonder if raising the caudex and then, training the tap roots of these plants to grow straight down, like a "tower" Adenium ....would create a larger/longer caudex to form faster?

Frank for someone who is an Adenium enthusiast, the goal is to collect one or more of every type that is out there. This is because they vary so widely in skin tone, texture, root structure, leaf patterns, crown structure, blooms of course, and overall mostly form. It isn't the largest caudex that we are after. It is the BEST FORM POSSIBLE. What is good form? That is up to the collector. So even though True Socotranum does grow slowly, it is a rare species and also unique stand-out in all of the Adenium species and subspecies.

Tracy

Well said Tracy. Frank, very understandable questions. I first acquired seed for interest sake and the challenge, then this switched. I love the leaves on these little guys and watching the overall change in character. They take forever to bloom, but this for me is not a concern.

As Tracy mentions. I am of the mind now (was not 2 yrs. ago) that I would like to have some really nice specimens of different species. Have started now quite a few of them, but always on the look out for the unique.

Rick

Thanks for the thoughtful answers and for the explanations. I can understand exactly why you are growing these rare and unique specimens.

Like I said....I wish I knew about these plants 40-50 years ago. Love looking at all the different photos of these unique plants.

Much good luck with your Soco endeavors.

Frank

These guys are doing quite a bit of growing for them. So enjoying these ones.

Very interesting with the changes in them.

Rick

I love the unique leaf shape of these, they are definitely a stand-out in all of the seedlings. Impressive growth, you have done really well with them Rick.

Tracy

WOW! Over two years old, and they look to be only months old! (other than the leaf growth pattern)

Amazing!

Those are doing super Rick! They look so fat healthy and happy. Great job.

Mark

I fear that if I were to rear some of these that I would kill them by not recognizing their signs of dormancy.

Tracy

They let you know Tracy. Interesting though about their time of dormancy is quite different than my others.

Rick