Hi Paradiseprincess what works for me is don't water for3weeks then water with a10/50/10 plant food . I think you are about 3to5 mo from blooming adeniums can bloom at 5mo but most of the time it's 8mo to a year . Your fertilizers are ok. adeniums have a mind of there own like a kid when you say they won't do somethings they will . Lots of sunshine and heat helps .also welcome to the forum

roger

Thank you, Roger.. I have no illusions that my plants will bloom at this early stage in their growth.. I was wondering whether it is better to encourage caudex growth or leaf and branch growth for better plant support to encourage blooming in the future, and if one is better than the other, what do I need to do now to promote this... Incidentally, I am extremely fortunate to live in a perpetually warm and sunny climate year-round (Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A.) so my adult plants never stop growing or blooming.. . Anyone else have comments for the forum?

I don't think that you will find any (scientific) studies about the effect of caudex size on blooming, nor what causes fast caudex growth vs. stem growth. Some experienced growers support the idea that hard culture will promote caudex growth (smaller stem:caudex ratio) but it's impossible to rule out the part that genetics plays.

In my experiences, blooming (as in the very first time) is all about genetics. If you have a batch of, say, 100 seedlings grown under the same conditions (more or less), a few might bloom within 6 months, others after 1-2 years. You really can't tell...

Nothing scientific about what I'm thinking but in my greenhouse my plants grow real fast the first 5 years then slow way down I don't think caudex size has much to do with blooming because I have had plants from cuttings that have very little caudex bloom as well as a seed grown plant that have a large caudex I think genetics has everything to do with what a plant will be and how it will grow and bloom when I pollinate a flower with another flower off the same plant most of the time the color will be close if the flower is a double or triple it will make more single blooms than doubles or triples but the color will be close it I cross from another plant that did not come from the same seed pod as the mother plant then I never know what I will get I agree with Martin you can not rule out genetics

roger

Thank you for the great insight.. This will become an exciting journey requiring patience and hoping for the best outcomes.. I do see great variation with growth patterns which makes this hobby all the more fun.. I am so glad my adult plant produced a seed pod to play with.. I never would have discovered this discussion forum and the wonderful people who participate, and Mr. Ko's seeds without that initial experiment.. Happy growing everyone for 2018!!!