Hi! Though I do not have enough expertise with Adeniums to tell you what to do (I have mostly grown by luck), I once "inherited" an adenium that looked quite a lot like the one on the right. I did what your seller recommended, and put it in much a sunnier location (and also watered it more regularly than it had been watered) and after a while it found its way--grew some leaves and height, and today it is beautiful. I don't think your two slowpokes are finished yet-- if they were mine, I'd give them a little bit longer.

Thanks, Rick. I kept them in bright, but not direct sun for a week, and then moved them into partial sun today. Hopefully they start to leaf out soon.

Hi Dain, I have some cuttings from a plant that I was about to toss because it never rooted maybe because I kept pulling it out to check. LOL But recently I noticed some growth on the tips. I'm glad I didn't throw it away. My dad also has a plant that is miraculously surviving without most of it's caldex. It goes to show that adeniums are very hardy plants. I wouldn't give up on yours. If it were me I would leave it in the sun, keep soil moist but not wet and maybe some fertilizer?

Janet

Sorry to keep banging on this topic, but could I please have some advice on whether or not I should repot these seedlings now or if I should wait until they have some new growth? I have another seedling from the same purchase that is doing much better than the two I originally posted. Can I safely pot to a gritty mix at this time? Thanks, everyone!

Dain, You can pot into a new mix now safely. The plants may sit for a bit before showing new growth, but this is normal.

No need to feel uncomfortable asking questions. It is the questions that get asked that make all of us learn, not just the person asking.

Rick

I've been spending a good amount of time reading through old posts to learn as much as I can. You all are an amazing resources. There seems to be many different opinions on how to care for Adeniums out there. The guy I bought these seedlings from recommended a mix of 65% peat, 20% perlite, and 15% vermiculite. Over here, the rage seems to be all about the gritty mix. After reading through Al's posts, and being a scientist myself, I can see that the science is sound. I now understand that part of the reason my two larger adeniums are slow growing is probably related to poor aeration in the soil mix. I'm just going to keep reading, learning, and asking questions so I can take care of these guys the best I can. Thanks for being willing to share your expertise.

I just wanted to give an update. I am starting to see new growth on the two seedlings. They have also been repotted in gritty mix. Hopefully they grow big this summer!

Thank you for updating...seems you're getting a handle of things in the adenium world--glad for you! Please post pictures in this thread from time to time on their progress.

-Kadie

(p.s.) If you're not familiar with Dr. Dimmit's research on adeniums, I'd like to refer you to an article written by him, "Adenium Culture: Producing Large Specimens Quickly"

Dain,

What's the temperature range and humidity conditions where you are in New Mexico? You have given zone 6 as a reference, but different areas have their own unique climactic conditions.

-Kadie

I'm in a unique part of New Mexico. The elevation makes it cooler at night than it would otherwise be based on how far south I am. Our daily highs are currently in the 80s and lows are high 40s/low 50s. Humidity is low, as this is a high plateau desert.

I should also add that all my plants are indoors in a South facing window.

Do you have to bring your plants indoors at
night? Do you have a greenhouse? I am a newbie so not qualified
experience-wise to give advice, only suggestions. Hopefully a forum member who has the same or
similar climactic conditions could pipe in with helpful suggestions/advice. In the meantime, I encourage you to read a
discussion within this forum that I had bookmarked as valuable information for
me as far as potting media; but there are other aspects as
well that I found intriguing: "Addenium getting too big"

Janet, that's an incredible plant you have there. Ive always admired the the survival abilities of succulents.

I'd like to post a quick update. It's been a month since the first post. The two 'sad seedlings' are now leafing out just fine. They seem to be adapting to their new home in the window quite well.

Thumbs up!