Inherited Daddy's Desert Rose(s)

9 years ago

My aging parents in Jacksonville, Florida, shipped me their DR as all their tropicals are getting to be too much for my dad.

So today, I picked up the box from UPS, unpacked, and excitedly found 4 little DR's in addition to the one big Momma! I had no idea these little ones were coming too, so it was a wonderful surprise!

Since I'm in NJ and normally bring in all my tropicals mid October before the first frost advisory, these DR's only have about a month outside once I pot them.

I am thinking of potting the big one in a clay pot with gritty mix after I rinse the remaining soil off of it.

Only one of the four little ones has some roots, so I will probably put the little rooted one in gritty mix too. The other 3 must have broken off while being handled prior to packaging and have no roots.

What is the best way to root these 3 little ones? Right in gritty mix too? Can I put all 4 of these little ones in the same pot too for now or keep them separate?

Would it be smart or not to mix the gritty mix with some cactus/succulent soil or straight gritty mix? If so, what ratio? I prefer to stay away from soil, which reduces a lot of problems (bugs, mold, root rot).

I plan on keeping them outside under an overhang, that no longer gets direct sunlight due to our shorter days already! :(

Any and all advice would really be appreciated. These little babies mean the world to me...a piece of my dad from so many miles away! Thanks so much!

Featured Answer

greenclaws UK, Zone 8a

9 years ago

Hello there, glad you posted here from the c/s forum, you will soon get some good advise I'm sure.

I don't think the small plants are DR's at all, I don't know what they could be, but they don't look like Adeniums to me. Is any part of the large DR soft, either on the caudex or roots? You need to check every part carefully, if it's damaged the root needs to be cut off cleanly and allowed to dry, sulphur dust can be applied to the cut ends if they're large, small ones should be fine. If the caudex has soft, rotten or damaged areas, that also needs to be removed, allowed to dry and cinnamon can be applied to those cut surfaces, no brown should be visible. If you find any areas like this come back for further advise ASAP....even before you cut. Hopefully others will add info to help you. The large plant will be ok out of soil for several days yet. Clay pot and slightly damp gritty mix is the way to go for the big DR.

Gill

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Comments (9)

rcharles_gw (Canada)
9 years ago
JerseyGirl,

The other plants look like Euphorbia milii (Crown of thorns). Very nice plants and do have thorns.

Rick
JerseyGirl (aka iheartorchids.com) thanked rcharles_gw (Canada)
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Marie Tran
9 years ago
Gill and Rick, you two are very good.

Quick to reply with quick info people need.

Hat down to both of you.

Marie
Marie Tran
9 years ago
Jersey girl, congrats to you. That is very big desert rose.

Marie
JerseyGirl (aka iheartorchids.com) thanked Marie Tran
JerseyGirl (aka iheartorchids.com)
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you Marie...I'm in love! *wink*

I do think this poor thing might be in a little temperature shock from mid 90's in Jax to 60's up here! :(

I haven't done anything with the little ones yet...tomorrow I'll stick them in gritty mix too with a weak solution of KLN, once temp warms up!
JerseyGirl (aka iheartorchids.com)
Original Author
9 years ago
greenclaws, I just saw your reply....thank you!

There is nothing soft at all on the big DR....I checked every nook and cranny! Very healthy!

I think you are all correct, the little ones are Crowns....I have several, but the leaves on these little ones are huge compared to the Crowns I have.

I was just so excited when I took the DR out, and cause I didn't have my glasses on, I presumed the little ones were DR's too cause their leaves are the same size! lol
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a)
9 years ago
Great catch, Gill ... i couldn't tell what the smaller plants were.

Crown of Thorns roots easily enough. Place in shaded / filtered sunlight until it's rooted. Use cactus soil to root and keep relatively dry until you see new growth. Be careful with fertilizers ... COT does not like boron ... leaves will turn spotted yellow.

Maria Elena
greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
9 years ago
Glad to learn there's no rotten bits! Please show us a pic of it when you've potted it up? Hope they do well for you. :-)

Gill
JerseyGirl (aka iheartorchids.com) thanked greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
JerseyGirl (aka iheartorchids.com)
Original Author
9 years ago
Maria, Gill, Marie and Rick....thanks so much again for replying and for all the great information! I did pot the DR last night, pictures below, and I'm going to pot up the COT's today in gritty mix. My Jade cuttings have done very well rooting in gritty mix.

I just hope the leaves straighten out a bit...but I'm anticipating they may fall off, especially with the drastic change in temperature from FL to NJ. I hope not! :(

It should warm up to low 80's today...then I will lightly water the media.

I'm thinking a very weak solution of KLN will help ease the stress a bit. I've had great success with KLN for my other tropicals, succulents and Orchids!