Ok, I am wondering if I should take the tall branch off too? I suppose why stop now, right?

Tracy, you did a great job.....beautiful now....nice pot too.

Marie

Tracy, you're doing fine so far. I agree, trim down the tall branch...I know you are keeping an eye on overall form.

-Kadie

Here are the after photos. I did the final prunes and cut all the roots off above the soil line. How does she look? Should I defoliate the plant after such a hard pruning?

Tracy

Thanks for the encouragement, Kadie and Marie.

Wow! Nice caudex! Tracy, you defoliated your giraffe and it worked out well for you as far as the branching, right?

Tracy, Nice looking plant. What a tremendous job with your pruning.

I was looking at the photo which shows the tall branch, untrimmed. It almost looks as though there was a graft union (flat), just below the "Y" ?

Rick

I appreciate the feedback. I see the area that you are referring to Rick. When I was pruning I did not see any obvious grafts and I inspected it closely. However I am new to grafting so it is completely possible. It it was a graft it isn't any longer. I suppose if it produces pink flowers then I will know. Looking at all of the cuttings I am not seeing anything obvious.

Tracy

I think I will defoliate. However I am going to give it a week to acclimate after the repot, the hard pruning, newly discovered sunshine, and the new location and climate. Next weekend I will remove all of the leaves and of course post an update.

Tracy

Rick thanks for your compliment. After examining the cuttings from this plant it may have been grafted since there is a small sign of it in the main Y piece I cut off. Lesson here is that I should pay closer attention to the plant when cutting pieces off.

Tracy

Wow Tracy it looks so much better. Amazing job with exposing the caudex, I love the look of it. Can't imagine why someone would cover it to begin with unless they didn't know better. I really like the pot too! It looks like copper with a nice petina on it. Interested to see what it will look like in a few weeks.

Tracy, whether it is Pink or not. You have made it into a nice shape and you would not have been able to do so without pruning the way you have.

Pink is not a bad color to have. Maybe if you are a grower and have hundreds or thousands of plants.

Great job towards a promising specimen for your collection.

Rick

Thank you Nicholas, and Rick. I am looking forward to the new growth. Already have ramnification from the Apex branch there is a bud coming out!

You really did a fabulous job trimming your adenium. Looks great!

Thank you, Ladylotus. It is very much trial and error at this point. I have some great guidance from the board members.

Tracy

I've removed most of the leaves this week to increase ramnification. You can see many buds pushing out from the Apex branch.

Look at all the cuttings that came off of this plant!

Tracy, if you are wanting to start these cuttings. If you do not mind me imposing.

Remove most of the leaves off of the cuttings and cut the remaining leaves in half lengthwise. This will stop top growth and allow root formation.

Rick

Nice job.

Thanks Rick. I was wondering if I should remove the leaves so the sun could penetrate. I don't mind you suggesting one bit, thank you.

Should the cuttings stay dry? I have them outside (in the rain). Would they be better indoors you think?

Tracy, I have not ever tried doing cuttings of the Adeniums, but I would more than likely have them outside in a low light/filtered light situation under cover so that I would manage any water they get.

Rick

This is the first time I have done cuttings of Adenium. Others I know the media needs to remain mostly dry. I am mostly curious about the grafted piece I found, I would like to see if I can root it and if the others are a success then I will probably give them to family members. I have moved them to a dry protected location for now. I will post the results later if they are successful in rooting. Again, thanks for your expertise Rick. Advice is always welcomed and encouraged.

Tracy

Thank you for this information Kadie, it is very helpful. I cut them into a manageable size, let them callous for a week, then soaked the bottom of them in rooting concentrate. Forgot about the rooting powder (I actually have some). I put it into dry media since the cuttings had been soaking. Put it outside and then yesterday I removed most of the leaves and cut the remaining leaves in half. It remained dry until the rain today, now I have put it in a safer place where I can control the light and water. I hope the large graft piece roots, I will let you know.

Tracy

Quick update, the pruned plant has lots of new growth showing up.

Tracy

Hurray

I finally have removed all of the old foliage. Everything you see here is brand new growth.

Tracy

Photo update. The plant is leafing out completely. A few of the new leaves look at little mottled which does concern me. I was hoping the new growth would not show any of those symptoms. She is bouncing back quickly, but could use a little bit of a suntan.

Tracy

Tracy, it looks very good. Now you only need is flowers. I hope they come soon.

Marie

Flowers would be great, Marie. Thanks! I don't care if they are pink or red, any flower would make me happy.

Tracy

So nice Tracy. The shape you have made it, makes it for me. The flowers, color is just an added bonus.

Rick

Tracy, you really did a nice job on that plant. Love the form, the way you trimmed all those lose roots above the soil and the pot is perfect. Very nice.