Gill, It seems there have been many things theorized as to the cause of the split blooms. From lack Boron in fertilizer used, pest, etc. Not too much about Viral for this, as other symptoms would accompany this.

Not sure myself outside of what some of the knowledgeable people Have written.

Rick

Thanks for the reply Rick. Can't see any pests, thank goodness. They all get fed at the same time, same feed, same strength, in fact nothing differently, my feed contains boron and just this one does it. Noticed my largest DR, the Dang Siri has begun to initiate budding this season, that's been OK too in previous years, very odd. Oh well, split flowers it is!

Gill

Hi gill I have had this problem for years on certain plants i found when mealy bug's bore into the buds in the early stages it scared the flowers resulting in splitting i could not find the bugs until I got a strong magnifying glass they were tiny, that's when I stripped my large plants down I found larger bug's hidden under tiny pieces of scale I will keep an eye on these plants this coming summer to see if I have solved the problem best of luck peter

Hi Gill, I have a grafted plant that does that too all the times on every flowers since the day I bought it one year ago. Quite amazing, the splitting buds are quite beautiful by themselves... blooming single split to multi splits flowers :). Same potting media, same fertiliser, same growing conditions as the rest... maybe it just needs a much longer period to stablise at my place :)

Hi Gill, this seems to be a problem more people are having every year & I don't think we're any closer to figuring it out. It seems we may all have different reasons for this strange phenomenon.

In the 15+ years we have been growing desert roses, we have only seen this in a couple of plants in the last few years only, never before that. With our plants we have ruled out viral, pests or contamination by grafting. (We have no grafted plants, no pest problems, no virus plants). Boron may be the issue for us, as we are guilty of not fertilising very often....we also found that the couple of plants affected grew a huge amount during the growing season & probably ran out of nutrients. I also wonder if the extreme heat waves/high temps we have suffered within the last couple of years may have played a role. (Maybe some hybrids are more susceptible to extreme temps then others). Other than that, my thoughts are that there may be a genetic component in some hybrids that make them more susceptible to split flowers.

For yourself Gill..... you just need to rule out what you can and then see what's left as a possible cause and go from there. I don't think there's a definitive answer for us all. :)

Not quite split like yours but I've had a few lately that look like this. I was advised that it was stress. I've only had this one a few weeks so I figured that the move from where ever they came from, to my local store, then brought home to a different environment that's why it looks rough around the edges. Alot of the little buds that the plant had fell off. I'm just waiting for the buds that are on it have a slight chance to bloom before I repot them. And they all really need a fresh new mix and pot.

Thanks for the further replies everyone. I've checked again, thoroughly, and there's definitely no pests visible so I'm fairly confident that's not the issue. Our weather has given us a bit if a heatwave this month and last, but I wouldn't think that has been the cause of this, plus it happened last year too in the same place. There's been no huge growth spurt on any of my plants, ever! So, I guess I'll never know why these particular branches behave in this way.

Hopefully this plant will outgrow its problem in the future.....it's a keeper anyway, for sentimental reasons so I can't throw it away because of a couple of split flowers, and it's been to hell and back to get to this stage of its life! Thanks for your interest :-)

Gill

Hi Gill, yours definitely a keeper. I am keeping a stubborn adenium that hasn't bloom since bought, waiting 3 years already, the flowers better not split if it ever will... lol.

And this is the "beautiful" multi split fatty bud at my place :)

Gill, I have so many plants with split blooms.

Some one told me to give them B1, I am looking for B1 but unable to find it yet.

Marie

Hello Marie, do you mean Vitamin B1 please? That's thats the only thing I could think it could be, but I may be way off the mark!

Tan, hi there, it would be great to see that bloom when it decides to open up please! Those buds do look very fat don't they?

Gill

some have suggested on other forums that thrips can be a cause of these floral issues. and those things move around a lot. in the FWIW category ...

Lol @ Peter!

Bragu.....Thrips, mmmmh, never seen any, doesn't mean there aren't any :-( funny how this one is the only one affected. If it's been nobbled at some time by a thirsty thrip, will the effect last?

Gill

Thrips would show definite streaking on the leaves from leaf stem to tip and leaves get a silver appearance. They do effect the flowers, but first signs are visible on the leaves.

The B1 is available and it was Tracy that had shown a photo some time ago.

There seems to be quite the controversy as to whether B1 truly does as many state? Some say that there are a lot of testimonials stating the good of this for transplant shock and such, but little scientific proof to follow it up with.

I believe that SuperThrive has it in it. Have this and use it, but it comes with the same beliefs and disbeliefs.

Rick

Definitely got no damaged leaves in any way, so the thrip theory has had it, thank goodness. The current flowers that are opening seem to be just fine, and a bit bigger too. Think I'll leave well alone and enjoy whatever it decides to produce, splits 'n all.

Gill

Since you mention its on a branch.. if its the longest or largest laden with buds of the plant.., it could be all nutrients donot reach it...

you may wanna try spray fertilize when not in bloom ?

I have had such issues, i snip that branch.

some cases the issue is sorted if its localized... buti have also had plants where it happens each year after moving to a larger pot with rich soil aswell... but i try and play around with them rather than throw away:)

Hi Gill, fatty bud bloom... distorted shape due to the multi splits :)

Mmmmmh, well, it looks very different doesn't it! Are the other buds OK? Hopefully our plants will outgrow this feature as they mature...?

Gill

Gill, all the buds are similarly defective, fortunately they are chubby and cute... lol

I just had my first splits recently. My Strawberry Shortcake was blooming beautifully but the last two blooms have split. It's getting to be VERY hot here in Houston. My other yellow graft is blooming great though. Same fertilizer and temps. Maybe some are more sensitive to heat? It's a mystery!

Gill, I want to buy B1, but can't find it local. If someone try it please let us know.

Marie

Thinking out loud here … B1 is thiamin. Rice has thiamin, so maybe if you use the water you boiled rice in (yes, I know that's NOT the right way to cook rice), you might be able to nourish your plant with the rice water ...

Also, broccoli water?

As I said, just thinking out loud

Superthrive is a B1 based vitamin solution. http://amzn.to/2uPMF4b

dain: rice is cheaper … pbbt. lol

Hi all this is one i have that every bud will not open it just splits in many pieces it is about 2/3 yo i have never seen the flower open properly its a shame its an apricot colour