Thank you Rick for your advice. Yes, I'm in Hawaii :) I had a feeling I should probably start fertilizing regularly, but was not sure. I'm wondering if I need to water more often too since they are in direct sun for 6 to 8 hours. Here are some photos of "typical" seedlings (8 to 9 months old). The first one is from a KO seed and the second is from Adenium King. I believe both are reputable sellers. They are both around 3 to 4cm tall. I think I've seen 3 month old seedlings in the group that are as big as my older seedlings.

Kate,

You live in a marvelous climate to be growing these. Love Hawaii.

The seedlings look very healthy. I want to say that they may be a deeper green with the addition of Fertilizer, but am hesitant as there are a number of cultivars that do have a light green color. With you saying that you have not been fertilizing them, I am thinking you will see a difference once you do fertilize on regular schedule.

As for watering them more, I would play it by ear. Get a good idea of the weight of the pot when it is dryish. Then give it a watering and base you schedule on how they feel in weight. Do not go by so many days. It could very easily change depending on the Temperatures, Wind, Rain, etc.

As seedlings become older their needs for water can be less frequent and always making sure that you have very good drainage in the soil make up.

Giving them a fertilizing with a good Seaweed or Fish emulsion fertilizer is good as well. I tend to stay with the close 9-3-6 ratio (3-1-2). Make sure to water through with plain water if you are watering 2X week. Most of the soil we use here is soilless and does not have much in them to actually feed the plant/roots.

Always happy to help out if I can.

Rick

Thank you for taking the time to respond and for the great advice Rick! Do you think it is ok to use tap water (rather than rain water) to water the seedlings? There are some weeks here it rains everyday and some weeks it does not rain at all.

Kate, Tap water should be fine. If your tap water is treated (chlorinated), then let it sit in an open bucket/pale for the 1/2 day, then use.

I enjoy seeing how others plants are doing and I have not been posting as often as I had been.

We stayed in Maui (Kihei) for many years and I loved it so much. Always seeking out Nurseries to look around. Went to a wonderful couple place just outside Lahaina, the had what used to be a botanical garden.

Never a problem asking and/or sharing, Kate.

Rick

Hi Kate if they were my plants I would start fertilizer now at half strength and feed once a week for 3 or 4 weeks then back off to ever other week and watch to make sure that you don’t burn the leaves see if they don’t green up and start to grow I always feed my seedlings after they are a month and half old and I feed all winter I don’t think seedlings go dormant the first year I also keep them damp (not wet) I plant my seeds in November and keep them on heat mats untell mid January then pot up to 4 in. Pots I have to grow in greenhouse untell mid April and my plants are around 4 in tall where you live they should grow like weeds. I think I have around 600 seedlings growing now.mr KO and king Adenium are good suppliers of seeds. Good luck with your seedlings they are fun to grow and play with

roger

Mahalo Rick. Maui is a beautiful place and ideal for many wonderful types of plants. Hopefully you will be able to come back soon, at least for a visit :) I love orchids, but I've developed a deep appreciation for adeniums. The nurseries on Oahu don't carry adeniums regularly. When they show up, they are snatched up immediately!

Thank you Roger. Between your advice and Rick's, I think I will be looking forward to bigger seedlings soon! I didn't realize I could fertilize so early. Someone had told me not to fertilize until they were past a year old! FOUR inches tall?!!! WOW! I am excited for the future of my seedlings :) I will let you all now how they are doing in a few months.

i fertilized mine and they just boomed like crazy,exceptional growth here in brazil

Yes! Fertilizer seems to be the key. I just started fertilizing and could tell a difference in just a week. Thank you everyone! I will post pictures when I get the chance.