What soil mix do you use? I'm new to growing these beauties.

The soil is coco coir, perlite, and pumice. I like this combination because it is easy to control the water level which is so important when germinating seeds.

Kadie, I agree! The third one does appear to be growing a bit of a neck, eh? At least it is filling in width wise too. Some of my older seedlings looked more like bean poles! Hopefully the little tweak here and there that I have been doing over time as I learn things from everyone here on this forum is helping me to better shape my Adeniums.

Tracy

Yes, nice rounded bottoms. Very true--I have gained a lot of knowledge here too.

I need more knowledge--wonder if there is a way I could reverse or counter possible over-fertilization, short of constant watering to leach out the fertilizer? I have some seedlings that are growing too quickly and too tall. I have already pruned once, but these fellas don't want to remain compact.

Then again, maybe it's not the fertilizer; perhaps some are destined to be grown tall, versus those that are happy to be compact like some of my other plants.

Rick, where you at buddy? Marie, any thoughts? Tracy? Anyone?

The fertilizer I believe can contribute to rapid growth. I have never heard of reversing. I think flushing like you mentioned is the only way short of repotting in media that hasn't been amended with fertilizer.

Tracy

I believe from what I have read, but also experienced with my own seedlings, that human manipulation, whether it be pruning, pinching root pruning, etc.

Each plant is individual and even from same seed pod, will have it's own characteristics and not necessarily like it's pod or pollen parent.

Fertilizing definitely helps with growth and too much nitrogen, not enough light can lead to etiolation.

I have kept a group from one of the older seedlings, all from same seed lot.

I will post photo's when I get a chance and let you see the differences between them all.

I find this all quite fascinating, but it does not take much for me.

Rick

Thanks Tracy and Rick for your feedback. I look forward to Rick's photos of differences within the same seed lot.

Kadie

These are 4 of the seedlings that I spoke of from one seed lot. The seed came labeled as "Double Black Madonna". Seed sown and germinated Nov 2012.

These are all just coming out of dormancy and I have not done any pruning in any form to 3 of them. The 4th one I did just to see what was produced.

Two of them produced buds late last summer and failed to complete as light levels lower and I moved them inside.

Tip of the one in the black pot died, so I snipped it off.

I have not lifted these any higher and I am not going to. I want to also see with these plants if left at same level, even after repotting whether the caudex (root system) will grow wider.

I had one more and just realized that it was one that I gave to a friend. This way I could still see the plant as it grows.

Rick

From Rick: "Each plant is individual and even from same seed pod, will have it's own characteristics and not necessarily like it's pod or pollen parent."

Ah yes, I see the diversity. Thanks Rick.

-Kadie

Rick the top left plant looks similar to the giraffe I pruned the other day!

Tracy

It does Tracy. I have been tempted to prune, but I had decided to leave these and see what results. Once it blooms. It is getting a hair cut.

Rick

Reference my comment on April 30 above regarding fertilizer.

I had been lax about regularly applying fertilizer on my plants. So during a six-week period, I think I applied fertilizer 3 or 4 times. (I had forgotten to write it down in my journal.) It is no wonder that my plants grew quickly.

Those plants that I up-potted barely 6 weeks ago am having to up-pot again because the roots grew so fast that they were distorting their pots! Groan! The fertilizers I used all have a high N. Live and learn!

-Kadie

I am repotting my chubby compact babies from this post today. I started posting an update in the wrong thread (sorry). The bottom of the pot is beginning to bulge so I know these guys are ready for their own pots today.

I'll add another image when they are potted.

Tracy

The 3 amigos.

Nice and healthy, Tracy.

Are you planning to decapitate the shoot tip so that the
axillary buds could have a chance at developing into branches? Once it is decapitated the cytokonin in the
stem may be transported to the axillary buds.
Cytokonin often induces bud outgrowth. (Got this info from the article I gave you in your other post.)

I found out through a tip from Kesorn that you
could increase the cytokonin level in your plant by applying seaweed fertilizer to young seedlings.
That is probably why most of my plants
have good branching.

-Kadie

Yes I am thinking about doing exactly that Kadie.

So I went ahead and pruned the tall amigo back in hopes that the axilary branches will develop with more vigor.

You've come a long way, baby!

Thanks, Kadie. I've seen some seaweed fertilizer around, I will put that on my list of items to watch out for. Do you ever include both fertilizer AND rooting hormone at the same time? Or would that put too much stress on the plant?

I don't know about putting too much stress, but no, I don't use at the same time...I alternate weekly for a few weeks. The fertilizer I use is a fish emulsion with seaweed...NPK 2-5-1. Stinks! So you might not want to use this one in the house...only seaweed.

Tracy,

Hold off on the fertilizer for your new transplants. I was thinking of my sprouts when I said I
alternate rooting hormone liquid and seaweed fertilizer. (No wonder you asked about stress on the
plant.) Sorry about that...one of those
moments you know.

My new transplants and up-pots get rooting liquid once a
week for 2 weeks--the roots need time to rejuvenate and grow more roots first—then
I go on to a fertilizer schedule. My
treatment for clones and newly root-cropped plants is another story.

As you know I am constantly experimenting—what I do now may
be different next year. <chuckle>

Thank you for the update. I have been using the rooting hormone with the transplants. I will continue this regimen another week and then resume fertilizing on schedule.

Tracy

what species is that tracy the one you pruned? is that obesum?

Yes Jericson it is an Adenium obesum 'Superstar' which should produce pink flowers.