Hi Marco,

The immediate question that comes to mind is why do you have the root system exposed like that? This looks like a relatively young tree. The roots should be underground in order for it to develop properly.

Has this particular seedling flowered for you yet? What type of substrate are you using? Are you fertilizing? Also, what area of the country are you in?

I wanted to expose the caudex, but i guess it isn't ready for that yet? it's been like that for maybe 2 weeks now and it's been growing fine.

it hasn't flowered for me yet, but i've had it for 8-9 months, so maybe it flowered for the seller. im using a basic cacti and succulent soil. im not fertilzing, and i live in the DFW area. also, i keep it indoors under a red/blue LED grow light if it matters

I recommend you leave the roots underground for at least 2-3 more years. Be patient...they are not yet ready (fat enough) for raising.

I also recommend adding perlite to your soil and fertilizing with NPK 20-20-20 at 1/4 strength at least every other week. Adeniums love natural sunlight ... if you can provide that at least during the warm weather months, you should. Don't expose to direct sun right away. Gradually move your adenium closer to direct sunlight over the course of a week or two.

Others in the Texas area (assuming DFW = Dallas / Fort Worth) will soon chime in with care tips appropriate to your climate...

I wonder since your tree roots have been exposed for 2 or 3 weeks then they have dried up and should not be put back under. What did the rest of the roots look it? Dense, sparse, new spring feeder roots?

With the rain you have been having there may not be enough sun out there. But with your warmth. It would like it outside. Even in a couple of showers if your soil drains well.

Did I go dormant for you this last winter?

Can I also suggest that when you repot you not only set the plant lower in the mix so that the caudex can develop better, but the soil level is higher in the pot as well. A height midway up the collar of the pot is ideal, not only will it look better, but more importantly give more light to the caudex. Given your area and it's climate, the plant should be growing much better than it appears to be doing and not hiding inside the house. It needs light, better soil and food. I have far less light, a much shorter growing season and drastically lower temps here in the UK and I can see your plant is struggling somewhat. Hopefully we can help turn this around for you :-)

The terracotta pot is a good choice as opposed to plastic but you need to adjust the watering as they do absorb some H2O. From what I can see from the two pics and the info you have given, I doubt if there is a great deal of root underground, (I could be wrong), so if you decide to amend the conditions for your plant and I think you need to, please post a pic when you unpot and we will advise on a more suitable sized pot. IMHO the current pot is on the large side and as you admit to being new to plants maybe a little more experience is needed especially in Adenium growing when it comes to their watering requirements in oversized pots.

Gill

So to summarize, I should fertilize, get better soil/add perlite, bury it a little deeper, gradually get it used to being outside in direct sunlight and possibly get a smaller pot?

Yep that's about it! Post that pic of the whole plant so we can advise on pot size, it won't hurt to be out of the soil for a short while.

Gill

Are you going to trim up the roots before you pot it in a smaller pot?

I'm not sure what I should do just yet

Ok, IMHO it does need a smaller pot than the current one. If it were mine I would try one that has slightly more each side than the diameter of the caudex. A lot of people use the shallower half pots instead of the regular tall plant pot shaped ones, but the choice is yours. If you haven't got a suitable pot at the ready just lie the plant back in the old pot and cover the roots lightly with the mix, don't actually 'plant it properly ' again and do keep it out of the sun till you get your new pot and soil mix ready.

If you decide to go with the simplest free draining mix use c/succ soil 50/50 with perlite. otherwise if you chose the more complicated gritty mix you will need small bark chips from a pet store and small grade chicken grit/aquarium gravel/pumice/scoria or the like. This is for a 25% mix of c/s, perlite, bark and gravel. This needs more watering, so again the choice is yours. Both mixes need to be fairly damp when you repot.

I would clean off the topmost roots that have been exposed if they have shrivelled up and dried out completely. As its not yet got a fat caudex I would bury it half way between the start of the topmost thin root and where that fatter root comes towards the left front in the latest pic. I really do need to find out how to draw lines etc. on my IPad!

Shout out if you need more help.

Gill

Thanks for the help, I'll definitely try and get all that done soon. Do you have any links or info on what fertilizer to use, where to buy it and how to use it?

hey marco, i just posted my fertilizer regimen on Martin's thread here: http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3970936/adenium-garden-martin-in-denmark-part-vi?n=17

This site is also a good source: http://adeniumrose.com/blog/?p=209

Fertilizer strategy depends on many things, however, such as plant age/size, climate, planting location, plant health, etc. Just don't use too much! They like weaker mixes.

I agree with Daniel in what he says in his last paragraph. My conditions and fertiliser availability is very different to those of you in the US, so I can't really advise on your choice of fert or its application. Best you check out the threads on here using the search box above. I do know that dynagro foliage pro is often talked about, type that in and you may glean some good info.

Gill

I'm a little overwhelmed with all the fertilizers, could I get a link please?

Here is Dyna-Gro Foliage Pro: https://www.amazon.com/Dyna-Gro-DYFOL008-Foliage-Pro-11/dp/B003SUT6VS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466723703&sr=8-1&keywords=Dyna-Gro

Here is Dyna-Gro Pro-tekt: https://www.amazon.com/Dyna-Gro-Pro-tekt-Tek-008-Silicon-Supplement/dp/B000OWMTZI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1466723703&sr=8-7&keywords=Dyna-Gro

Here is Dyna-Gro KLN (for roots - put it on roots when re-potting or when cutting out rot from roots or propogating a cutting): https://www.amazon.com/Dyna-Gro-Rooting-Concentrate-Kln-008-0-009-0-011-0-006/dp/B0029OBP9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466723996&sr=8-1&keywords=Dyna-Gro+KLN

Here is MiracleGro Shake 'n Feed Time Release Palm (can mix with soil medium): https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Gro-Continuous-Release-4-5-Pound-Fertilizer/dp/B000MQOIYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466724128&sr=8-1&keywords=Miracle-Gro+Shake+%27n+Feed+Palm

Dyna-Gro website showing all their products and explaining their use: http://www.dyna-gro.com/

This will help a lot when deciding what combination to pick. Click on "Products Tab" and you will see all of their different selections. There are multiple other options for different N-P-K combination numbers that can be used for different things at different stages of growth. As I said above, fertilization depends on each unique situation, so pick the one that you think your plant needs. Read ALL the instructions and documentation if you use these products. It will help a lot. Remember to dilute your liquid fertilizer as instructed! And always err on the side of less is more. You can always gradually bump up dosages or frequency, but if you put too much and burn or damage your plant, you can't go back!

Keep in mind these are only some options that some of us have experience with. There are many, many other options to choose from or techniques to use. You can visit a knowledgeable nursery or maybe a plant club for some more advice on your particular situation.

Please show us a new picture once he's in his new home. I am sending good vibes your way and hope you see some good growth these next 2 months...maybe even a few blooms!