They usually don't grow too much above the soil line.

So should I trim those off the base ?

Some people will tell you that you can't re-cover those roots, or they will rot; I disagree. In my opinion, you could recover them, and they would increase in size in time.

You could also choose to use a sharp blade and slice them smooth at the caudex.

Lastly, some of us leave them for a more natural look. I have one plant I allow roots like this to grow, but they are very decorative and large.

It's all up to you and how you would like her to look.

If you can untangle them, there's probably just a few main roots w/ a bunch of secondary roots growing off of them. You could try removing the smaller secondary roots; leaving the main roots intact, and place at least part of their length below the soil line. This way they will fatten up a lot faster.

Here's some pics from a transplant I did.

(As you can see in these next 2 pics, there are some mid sized roots w/ smaller roots growing off them.)

I removed most of the smaller roots, and strategically placed some of the mid sized roots partially exposed above the soil line.

As a grower of a diverse collection of Bonsai, I can tell you... Root pruning of Adeniums; can go against almost every rule adhered to, for the root pruning of most other tree species.

Rob

Those look great !

Nick, I normally don't cut any root.

Rob, your plant is very neat and good look plant.

Marie

If you'd like to manipulate your roots for training as "Centipede Roots", you can start at a pretty young age.

These are prolly 2 months old.

You can remove the Tap Root only, or you can cut up to the tan line.

Apply fungicide & rooting hormone, or just hormone. Then place a piece of plastic, Styrofoam, or anything that's flat, waterproof, and will fit atop the soil in your selected grow container. Size it; so it leaves a gap between the side of the pot.

Place your plant on the top, laterally spread the roots out, and fill remainder of the pot w/ soil. Don't plant too deep, just slightly below soil line. For added stability, put a layer of Lava Rock on soil surface.

You can also do this with older Adeniums.

Rob

Nice work Rob what fungicide do you use i have a pink candidate here to practice with.

Years ago I used Sulfur, but It stink's too much, so now I use Cinnamon. I'll usually just mix the Cinnamon & hormone together, and apply it like that. However, if I don't see any signs of rot, I just use the hormone.

The 1st one makes your house smell like a sewer, the 2nd makes your house smell like cookies. ;-)

Make sure you allow enough time for your Adenium to callous/dry before planting. Most people prefer to hang them.

Rob

Thanks rob i have one seedling which suffered bad root rot its been drying out with all the roots loped of i was going to throw it but you have given it a life line:×)

A couple weeks ago; I discovered major root rot on a beautiful Pink Adenium that I had (perhaps) over potted. I too was going to toss it, but I figured I would give it a chance.

I could graft some of it onto another plant; but, we'll see...

Rob