I've had this desire to collect all the species Adenium plants the past few years. I have just obtained crispum seeds woo hoo. I have one more species left the swazicum. I am finding that some of these required a bit different care and wondered if we could please talk about those differences. Here is what I am finding:
Adenium obesum: We see obesum sold and have all sorts of hybrids so I will not elaborate much on this species. I treat mine like tropicals watering often during the summer months when the plant is in active growth. My obesums bloom most of the summer. During the winter months I give a sip once a month and can see that the caudex that is plump and full of water really is reduced during the winter months as my plants go dormant.
Adenium multiflorum: My multiflorum seems to be growing more slender than my obesum. Strange enough multiflorum bloom during the winter months when the plant has no leaves. I had my first blooms this past winter while the plant was sitting on a window ledge with southern exposure. I am finding this plant grows very slow compared to the other species. I was really torn when mine bloomed about my watering regimen. But, since it did not have leaves I did only give a sip now and then. Mine survived fine with that treatment. I did read that they should not be watered during the inactive growth. I guess my sips were small enough my plant did not rot.
Adenium somalense: I have not had my somalense bloom for me yet. It seems to be easy to grow thus far. It seems to have a normal active growth similar to the obesums and does go dormant during the winter months. So far I have been treating this one just like I have with my obesums. Does anyone have any other advice with somalense?
Adenium boehmainum: This species does not seem to have a large caudex. So far I have not seen mine bloom but sadly I have not seen a lot of growth in this species. It is a very slow growing variety for me. I have been treating this one just like the obesum...quite a bit of water during the summer months then slowly reducing the amount of water during fall/winter and once I see growth beginning my summer water regimen.
Adrenium oleifolium: I just received this plant this spring so I cannot add a lot of commentary. Through research I understand this will be a smaller plant seldom reaching 2' tall. The leaves are long and narrow, which I am seeing on my plant. In my research I also noted this plant is very drought tolerant so I have been careful in the amount of water I have been providing it. Any one else have comments regarding this species?
Adenium socotranum: This is the giant of the species. Even when sowing seeds these seem to be the larges, stoutest growing of the other seeds I grow they do seem to grow very very very slow. Mine has not had leaves until late in the summer months and seems to go dormant just a few weeks after my obesums. I did notice if I watered this species as I did my obesum it would drop leaves making me cut back on my watering. The leaf drop has stopped now. Seems this species has a very short growing season from my observations. Any one else caring differently for their socotranum?
Adenium arabicum: Love this plant, I do not have nearly enough of the different varieties for this species and will make this my next goal once obtaining all the species.
Mine are fast growing, which seem to have a caudex that spread out horizontally. I have been treating my aribicum the same as my obesum only giving them more surface are in a pot to spread out.
Adenium sp. nova (Tanzania): Just got my first sp. nova this spring. Cannot wait to see these babies grow for me. I've done quite a lot of research to determine the needs of my babies and found that it is imperative to keep the caudex/roots under the soil for several years before lifting as this gives the enormous globular caudex. I have been told that since such a large part of the caudex is underground one should pay particular attention to watering as rot could set in very easily. Once I've had more experience with this plant I will revisit this post. Does anyone have any additional information on growing these beauties?
Adenium crispum: Just got seeds so this is a new species for growing. Would like information on this species and any growing experience?
Adenium swazicum: Do not have one yet. Would like information on growing?
11 years ago
11 years ago
11 years ago
10 years agolast modified: 10 years ago
10 years ago
10 years agolast modified: 10 years ago
8 years ago
rcharles_gw (Canada)