I'm here but new to adeniums. This web site is almost not worth visiting, very little activity.

well, it is the off time of year here... should pick up in a month or two

I'm also over on "All things plants" forum. Lots of activity there. This forum is dead. Garden.org

I just found this forum...don't leave! I think the Adenium is getting more and more gardening "press", and there are a number of newbies that could use support. (like me)

I discovered Adeniums a few years ago, and unfortunately lost several to lower temps in Texas nights (Winter...below 50 degrees is not loved by Adeniums). I now bring them inside on evenings that drop below 50 degrees, and they are doing better. They still get yellow leaves that drop off (dormancy? less light?) over winter, but they come back like champions in the Spring.

I could use some advice about soil, as the "Desert Rose" soils I find online are expensive. I have been using Cactus soil with success. I am trying to get the caudex to grow larger, and would like more flowers. Advice?

I am getting 2 new one year olds in April, and hope to start them out right with some advice from other's experience and wisdom.

Cheryl,

Some people use 50% cactus mix and 50% perlite. They need REALLY good drainage. I didn't start growing them until last fall and so far have read a TON of stuff on them and watched a TON of videos on them on Youtube Unfortunately most of the videos are in foreign languages. Some have English sub titles though. Check out Sony Le on Youtube, LOTS of great videos on Adeniums! Pruning is the key to lot of flowers.

Garden.org is another great place with an Adenium forum with LOTS of great folks. I'm there as well.

I use red no. 2 cherry stone grit ... it is a chicken feed extender ... made of crushed granite. I use 80 percent granite grit and the smallest handful of african violet soil mixed with lots of perlite. drains well and fast. I fertigate every watering with just a small amount of miracle grow soluable ... 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Every once in a while some worm tea ...