I'd cut about two thirds off if it was mine to try and get a nice rounded growth when in leaf

Ok noted. Thanks! Shall let the roots grow before doing the pruning.

Jeb

if thats arabicum ill let it be, and branch train it to open like an umbrella, lots of pruning can ruin a plants natural beauty and symmetry, well that's my opinion and that's my way, all in all your plant your decision

"Natural beauty and symmetry"? Well, I am sure that wild adeniums do not grow symmetrically and one can argue whether they are beautiful or not. Some would say that they are hideous grotesque out-of-this-world/unnatural shapes. If you go for the "natural look", you should definitely hack'n'slash your adeniums to imitate the harsh environment they are living in. ;-) We, the hobby growers, are the ones who prefer and seek "order and symmetry" and train our houseplants.

Hi Jeb, This is mine that is very similar and I haven't touched it yet either. I bought it about 8 months ago and it's pretty much done nothing the whole time I've had it except for an occasional flower and increase in caudex size. I have decided to trim mine back to encourage new growth. I love mine with all the branches so I hope that I'm doing the right thing. I have been putting it off because I thought the branches were to thin to be able to hold the weight of multiple branches that could grow from the cuts but I'm going to give it a go.

Jericson, no offence, I was merely pointing out that the trained symmetrical Thai adeniums in horticulture is quite different from the way adeniums grow and develop in the natural habitat. In fact, in nature adeniums are "mistreated" by animals, the sun, the wind and the rain all the time and often appear twisted and grotesque. This, in combination with their display of beautiful flowers, is what I love about especially arabicums. The species is a paradox, a display of both the grotesque and the beautiful.

So if you really want to grow adeniums "the natural way", you should imitate this harsh environment. Prune and ruin symmetry. See the logic? ;-)

This does not mean that symmetrical and trained adeniums are not pleasing to the eye (my eye). They are. ;-) And you can grow your plants as you like. ;-)

Noted on the 2 different school of thoughts...

Hi Christine, thanks for sharing the photo of your plant. I like the color of your flower! On closer look, I think my plant is an arabicum while yours is an obesum. (not sure am I correct... ha ha). I do have a few obesums but this is my 1st arabicum. As such I'm not sure how should I maintain its beauty, by pruning or leaving it as it is. (Which is the purpose of my post.)

Jeb

Oh sorry Jeb, u are right. I can see that now. I have always been told to leave Arabicums to grow naturally but my Arabicums are only small yet so I can't personally advise on what to do. I will just go and sit back down in the novice section lol.

Hi Christine, please don't say that. We are all here to learn and enjoy growing/admiring the beautiful plant and flowers.

All good Jeb, I was just joking. I have learnt so much from this group and love the people. I really am just a novice but having the time of my life.

While waiting for the plant to settle down and establish its roots, saw 2 buds after about 2 weeks... and yesterday it blooms

So tiny in size...

@Jeb...It may well be tiny but it's perfectly formed. Lovely.

@ Christine... I do like your flower. Perfect.

Gill UK

Let the roots grow first before cropping the branches. The plant already has some trauma when it was up rooted. Adeniums are strong plants, however, even they need time to recover from being re-potted. I would wait about 2 months to give it time to produce fine hear like roots before cropping the branches. We import thousands every year and always are very successful in getting the desert rose plants to recover quickly from being shipping (out of soil) for 2 weeks. Another suggestion it to dip the plant in a rooting hormone with micro-nutrients such as Dyna-Gr K-L-N to get the adenium accelerate growth of roots.

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