100% flower buds. ;-) Many adeniums bloom at the end of dormancy/beginning of the growth season. Usually the leaves and buds start to grow simultaneously.

Btw, I have one leafless arabicum with tiny flower buds. It's my only "Golden Crown"-arabicum which I've grown from a seed germinated about two years ago. Kind of exciting...

Very exciting for you Martin. I don' have one of those. Can you post a picture of it?

I'e had this plant for about 4 years. Has tried to bloom with no luck., too late in the summer and now this. I' curious if they will actually mature.

Yep, flowers. Mine start to grow right as the days start getting longer (dec 21st) They usually try flowering, as they are now. Usually they do not mature. They usually turn black and die at this point but you never know

How is this coming along, Alma? Did the buds survive the cooler temps?

Not any change. Still very tiny but not dried out.

I was going to start fertilizing this week.

Oh, right ... Because they were dormant. You'll want to ease into fertilizing then ... just the "regular stuff" for now. Sorry ... I forgot that it's been an especially long winter for many regions. So easy to overlook that not everyone is sweating in 90 degree temps.

Maria Elena

Hi Alma Keep a close watch for bugs you may have something biting them (don't see anything now )

roger

I have aphids! I bought a whole bunch of cute little ladybugs and they all flew away! Soap and water with neem isn't doing diddlie swat! So on to store bought chemicals.

My aphids are one my seedlings, not my older plants

Hi eeyore, aphids are not the worst pest to have, and they do seem to be attracted to seedlings more. One way you can deal with them is to squish them with your fingers first and then wash them off by hand with a hose. You will have to look under the leaves for them as well. You will probably have to do this daily for a week or so, as they seem to reappear each day, usually in lesser numbers each time. It can be frustrating seeing more reappear each day after you’ve just squished and washed off the last lot, but it does work and It is a good way to deal with them without using chemicals. Of course, if you have a hundred seedlings or more, this may not be practical.....I hope your aphids bug off soon.

I had to laugh when you said your ladybugs flew away :)

Lol, I stand corrected, I have 7 ladybugs left out 1000, not too bad I guess.

How long did they last in your garden? Don't tell me you just placed them out there and they all left!

About an hour. Pretty much. Some ate for about an hour. In the morning there were about 7 still eating. By noon they were all gone.

OMGosh ... So sorry to hear that. The same happens here. I wonder why. Well, are the aphids visibly minimized? I wonder if there is a way to create a favorable habitat for them so they stay. Maybe better in a greenhouse.

I found 4 yesterday evening. I almost bought a ladybug house but didn't have the extra monies. Not any visible change.

About time! You deserve it, buddy!

Ha, ha ... Cracking up over your "ladybugs flew away" comment and Martin's new "Retired Viking from Denmark" handle. Great stuff.

Look what I got: KO Blue Spirit 1st bloom. At least it's double and loaded!

Dang. I have a cple that are trying g to bloom. I will send you pictures later

Still not blue

Not blue ... but it has a tinge of "lavender-blueness" in the red, so maybe that will come through more as the plant matures. This one is a keeper ... I love the double blooms and that it's so floriferous on its very 1st try!

Maria Elena

I dont think my blue spirit looked like that. I will try to find the picture

This was your Blue Spirit from August 2017, Alma ...

Pretty sad looking compare to yours.

Different growing climates. The flowers are different. I like it. I know you don't care for the white on it, but I do see tinges of blue on yours. You have a couple more of these, right. Keep your chin up.

Well her she is, she managed to open one up fully, today.

First picture of what shes actually suppose to be and second, what I actually got. Just the opposite. And the pink is not that hot pink at all. It's more reddish pink. But nonetheless, a keeper.