Hmmm... Thanks Rick. Very interesting. It would appear that my multiflorum seeds aren't going to germinate and I saw a site that has cuttings for sale for $5. Was considering that option.

How long do adenium cuttings take to root? I haven't had any luck rooting cuttings.

Very neat Rick! I wonder how long it would take to develop to the stage in the last picture, in our climate. Definitely worth the try, thanks!

Yup, a common bonsai practice,

not tried, but read, thanks for sharing Rick, look forward to your threads:)

Tyler,

Cuttings at $5. seems high does it not? The only thing w cuttings is the lack of a nice wide caudex. Will get larger over time somewhat. Would be interesting to try this method.

Rick

spacecoast,

I am not sure on time to root? I know that someone here has done some, but cannot remember procedure.

I think that the cutting in the photo's above looks to have callused prior to them making the vertical cross hatch cuts.

I am never cutting any branches off my plants large enough to use for cuttings. Use them as scions for grafting.

Rick

Conny,

It looks like this cutting in last photo was done quite some time prior to photo's of the cutting. Looks to have been raised to show roots and has been pruned to produce the lateral branches it has. They are a good thickness.

Rick

Yes, Rick, $5 for a cutting does seem high and a gamble. Not sure how large, how old, how fresh. I'm still kinda poking around and hoping to find some fresh multiflorum seeds and try again. My understanding is that cuttings don't develop a caudex like seeds do but from what I've read, I don't think that multiflorum plants develop them either, though, right?

I've never done them this way, but I have rooted cuttings. If I were to guess, I imagine that plant took around two years to look like that. I'm basing that on my growth, but I do keep them growing in the winter.

I have some at almost two years, and they are so large, that they almost look like they have a caudex.

Stewart, my multiflorums have a caudex.

Thanks for the info, Jerry. I'll search for seeds closer to Spring time instead of trying to start more seeds so late.

Tyler

Tyler,

If my friend should have multiflorum seeds, I will let you know and speak for some. Not for sure, but will check.

Rick

Thank you, Rick. I really appreciate your efforts, however it should work out.

Tyler

I've planted my pruned cuttings (back in July, not very big ones - max 10 cm) in pure perlite, thoroughly watering them once or twice a day for the first couple of weeks. 9 out of 10 have survived and have started to grow lots of new leaves. Will pot them up in spring.

ConnyNL, I thought you weren't supposed to water cuttings until they leafed out... Is that not true? No wonder none of mine root...

Sandy: not when they are in pure perlite, because the water runs straight through. Have to add that I place the cuttings on a heatmat for the first month or so to encourage roots.

PS: I haven't checked them for roots yet (don't want to disturb them), but I assume they have some since they now grow new leaves. Since they came inside the grow tents I water them only at the same time as the seedlings: once every 2-3 days. And, I also cut off all leaves so all energy goes to growing roots.

Just saw this on an adenium group on facebook! :o I was really intrigued by the method.

Jedoba, it's funny you give the 'two year' estimate. Someone translated the last photo with "After 2 years you get beautiful rounded roots."

It is tempting to try. I know my tall one really needs a pruning like yesterday and it'd be pretty cool to give this a whirl on one or two of 'em.

Interesting idea. I have a rock I think this method could be used to make a very interesting bonsai. Makes me wonder if the stem could also be split in the same manner to end up with a starburst effect.

I once saw a site that showed some rather dramatic carving/sculpting of the desert rose which leads me to believe the desert rose seems able to survive a bit of punishment. Haven't had the nerve to try it with mine,.... yet......, but with some pruning in the near future now might be the time.

On an unrelated note, dragonstone, I tried with no success to find a way to pm you. If you can pm me, please do. I have a couple questions about your adenium collection.

Stuart , what a beautiful little girl! What is your process for rooting cuttings? That's a decent "caudex" for a cutting!

Only single's cuttings rooted, all double and triple cutting fails and I don't know why. A few I put right away into the mix and a few to callous over a few days. The mix is coarse river sand and potting soil, 2:1 . Moisture the mix after 2 weeks. No direct sun light.

Stuart, what a cutie (and I like the plants, too!) ;-)

Tyler

Stuart,

Is that precious little doll with the smile of angels your baby girl? She is too cute modeling daddy's plant!!!

Maria Elena

Yes Maria Elena she is and thank you