Finally got the guts to prune

11 years ago

I wanted to give these branches a shot at getting bigger. Hopefully next spring they'll all be blooming.

I followed directions on pruning. I also potted up. I know it's not really recommended to prune and repot at the same time, but this guy was in a poorly aerated sandy mix that I really wanted to get him out of. It was decently rootbound, so i think it was a good call. I wondered if I should have used an even bigger pot, but I think the girtty mix will provide a lot more room for growth. I threw on some extra fir bark to help with primary stability while the plant gets settled in to the new medium.

I just want to say that I'm really grateful for all the advice from this wonderful community. Except to Rick. Posting a link to Rinoa's newest wares resulted in my wallet taking a hit. Not cool, man. ;-)

Featured Answer

Kadie

11 years ago

Hooray! Cheers! Applaud! Congrats, Dain, you did it!

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Comments (18)

rcharles_gw (Canada)
11 years ago
Dain, Good pruning job. Sorry about the temptation. It is tuff, isn't it.

Rick
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert) thanked rcharles_gw (Canada)
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Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
11 years ago
That looks fabulous!!

Great job.. You can already see the growth in the other nodes.

Aweome!!

Laura
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert) thanked Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
User
11 years ago
I simply love when people have the guts to hack'n'slash their Adeniums. ;-) Nice!
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert) thanked User
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert)
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks everyone. The last bloom was starting to droop, so I figured I shouldn't waste any of the growing season. I did however take a few deep breaths before making the cut.
addicted2plants Southern IL USA
11 years ago
Congrats, Dain. I am so happy to see that you took that big step. Look at all the buds! Nice work. What did you order from Rinoa? Hope you will share photos when they arrive.

Tracy
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert) thanked addicted2plants Southern IL USA
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert)
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, I emailed Rinoa an order. It's still very early monday morning in Taiwan right now. Hopefully I hear back today. I ordered three(!) for myself and two on behalf of my mother.
katiedolittle
11 years ago
Hay Dain I tried to blame Rick for my Rinoa order to my wife didn't work so I guess Rick is off the hook

Roger
Kadie
11 years ago
Dain, have you a vision of what your plant will look like a couple of months from now? Some of my taller plants with one stem (like yours) were showing potential branches along the lower base, so I decided to prune some of those plants down (much like you had done to yours). Please keep us up-dated.

-Kadie
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert) thanked Kadie
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert)
Original Author
11 years ago
I'd like this to look like a mini version of 'The giraffe' if you remember what it looked like after Tracy pruned it. I seem to have trouble getting my adeniums to branch and get fat. I want fatter and branched plants! I'm hoping that moving this into a more aerated mixture that it'll be able to grow in thickness easier. I also think the gritty mix especially important for me to combat water retention in the soil during the winter months. My environment is very unique. 40° F temperature swings from night to daytime are not uncommon at any time of the year.
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert)
Original Author
11 years ago
One month update! This guy has exploded in new growth. I couldn't be happier!
addicted2plants Southern IL USA
11 years ago
Looks terrific, Dain. Wow, it has branched tremendously! Congratulations on your first pruning success. The caudex looks to be getting thicker too.

Tracy
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert) thanked addicted2plants Southern IL USA
Phil UK zone 8b
11 years ago
Looks gorgeous :)
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert) thanked Phil UK zone 8b
User
11 years ago
Looking good! We like Adenium hack'n'slash. ;-)
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert) thanked User
Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
11 years ago
That looks wonderful.. We tend to worry before we prune, but the tree will love putting its energy into back budding and new growth. Now you will be even more confident to do more and cut back others next season! You might see new flowers emerge as well on this beauty!! ;-)

Nicely done!!

Laura
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert) thanked Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
Cynthia Curry Russo
11 years ago
The plants I have pruned have responded really well.
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert) thanked Cynthia Curry Russo
Marie Tran
11 years ago
Wow....very good looking.

Marie
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert) thanked Marie Tran
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert)
Original Author
11 years ago
Again, thank you everyone who has posted. I'm feel especially honored that Laura has torn herself away from the plumeria forum to comment on my thread. Ha ha, I kid.