It sounds like a Hydroponics type of growing conditions. Jericson has a lot of knowledge with this practice. Possibly others, but he has shown many of his trials.

Little different than Hydroponics, but same or similar growing medium.

Stuart, keep them coming. Really nice to see.

Rick

I will call the mix " Sticky Gritty"

Hey Stuart,

We have virtually the same climatic conditions...both of us are located in warm, wet tropical environments.

http://www.plantsdb.gr/en/general-cultivation/hardiness-zones/275-hardiness-zones-central-south-america

http://www.plantsdb.gr/en/general-cultivation/hardiness-zones/277-hardiness-zones-oceania

Paramaribo is closer to the equator at 5° 50' N, so slightly hotter...I’m on Guam at 13° 28' N. I discovered the joys of Adenium seed growing only last year August, so I am enjoying watching your newly discovered adventures.

Btw, do you have Rhinocerous Beetles there? They eat the heart of the coconut tree which eventually causes the tree die, and they lay their eggs in vegetative decaying matter. At the outset, I was using coconut husk cubes with humus media for my seedlings, but the beetles laid their eggs within the media and I had to re-pot everthing. I switched to 60% perlite, 40% humus...the perlite on the surface of the media deterred the beetles. As my trees get to the size I want I switch them to gritty mix...the beetles will not burrow through the grit and diatomaceous earth. (I am definitely not inferring that I have the best media for growing adeniums...only sharing my experience.)

Happy Gardening!

Kadie

Kadie, Yes we have them here but i am not seeing them on the trees. 4-5 inch worms are eating the coconut leafs and makes holes in the trunk. We put a bag with salt on top of the tree to fight the worms and beetles. When the seedlings get sooner big i will put them in gritty mix.

This forum make me happy

Hi Stuart,

I am particularly interested in your Somalense...how are they doing now? I think I read somewhere that they don't like humidity such as you and I have in our climates. Please update.

Hi Kadie,

The Somalense in the clay pebbles are doing great.

Before transplanting into the new mix they where in a mix from rice husk/river zand/ hummus and sown in it on 5 october 2015.

I oredered 20 from adeniumcenter and got 5 extra and only 2 didn't germinate.

Stuart, I think I'll go ahead and order A. somalense from Adeniumcenter. Btw, are you also growing A. arabicum "Golden Bell?" My order finally came in yesterday. I'm only practically a stone's throw from Thailand...maybe their shipping route takes my seeds round the world toward the west?

Anyway, I can't plant them right now...a typhoon is passing by us and throwing a lot of rain our way. Thank goodness the forecast track says we won't get a direct hit. Whew!

Kadie, I have two types of Arabicum from adeniumcenter. The germination rate is almost 100%.

Wow, hope you get the Thai Soco shown in the picture. My Thai Soco KHZ, planted from seed seed July 1, sure is a slow grower.

Here's an update of the typhoon:

...TYPHOON IN-FA MOVING AWAY FROM GUAM..
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY--
THE TROPICAL STORM WARNING FOR GUAM HAS BEEN CANCELLED. TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE NO LONGER EXPECTED.
WATCHES AND WARNINGS----
NONE.

Whew! That was a close call.

That is good news Kadie for you and your plants.

Arabicum RCN.

Arabicum RCN Black Dwarf.

Thai socotranum and Obesum

Katie, so glad things are fine at your home and everyone was did not have to endure yet another Typhoon. You have had your share.

Sorry, Stuart for going off topic in this thread. I am quite taken with your growing with the hydroton in the mix. Really looking forward to seeing their progression.

Rick