Rick, thanks. I was hoping for several new leaders. ;-) But alas, the d**n plant decided to grow only one branch near the stump. With a little luck, it might actually do that now after I pruned it again. ;-)

Maybe there is a window within which arabicum must be pruned. I pinched all of mine within weeks of developing true leaves and kept removing the main stem thereafter, until it stopped growing back. I'm not sure if that promoted the growth of side branches (I have no control plant from the same branch), I just knew I did not want a long central branch that will grow faster than the others.

I probably would have waited for a few months, if the thought occurred to me. It just didn't. I think I pruned by black RCN as well, I can't remember. I have to look for it and check; I haven't toyed around with it for a while.

Pagan

I think it's because he just cut back a couple growing tips. If you want a strong back budding response remove more or all tips. The tips at the end of branches are where certain auxins are located, removing them changes the balance of those hormones produces a growth response. At least that's true with woody plants I do bonsai with, I assume it's true for adenium... maybe not

Btw that thing is monstrous for a year old. Good work. I did my first batch of seedlings last year I made mistake of treating them like other succulents and provided too little water and fertilizer I think

Todd, you are right about the auxin thing. If I recall correctly I once wrote a forum answer about the physiology behind it all. But I am glad that you brought it up again for all to read.

I am not sure what you mean by the first sentence you wrote. I consider myself a skilled "pruner". ;-) I removed all growing tips 10 minutes before taking the two photos... You do not actually have to slice, say, half and inch of the tips. There is no point in wasting/removing nice apical buds. ;-) But the pruning is not always successful even under good light conditions. I have often thought about "the window" which Pagan just mentioned.

Cheers,

Martin

Todd, thank you. It is really no great achievement to grow most arabicums big. They grow pretty fast at 85F+/30C+ under intense light - if kept well-fed and given plenty of water when actively growing. As you probably know, it is easy if you grow them in a tropical climate or in a controlled environment, like a heated grow tent (which I do). This way, I have pushed my yearlings far. But if you take a look at the seedling above, you will see tighter nodes at the growing tips. A response to growing it more hard (vs. generous culture with plenty of water and fertilizer). I like compact growth.

Just an update on the "back budding" issue.

Well, as you can see, the pinching and defoliation succeeded. The stump is now completely hidden by new branches.

Love the caudex!