Description

Desert Rose

5 Seeds

The Desert Rose is easy to grow succulent from East Africa. Adenium Obesum produces a bizarre and attractive fat swollen trunk that makes this plant perfect for a bonsai specimen. It produces beautiful 2-inch bell shaped fresh flowers all year long. This is spectacular plant that can be grown indoors or out.

Desert Rose will grow into a small shrub 6-10 feet tall when planted in the landscape. Plant in full sun to light shade in a fast-draining soil. Desert Rose is drought tolerant, but looks best with regular water during the growing season, it needs little water during winter months.

Desert Rose will not tolerate frost, use as house or patio plant where minimum temperature fall below 35 F. This plant can be grown in a container indefinitely. Needs lots of light and fresh air. Keep in a bright location in winter. In summer move outdoors to a sunny or partly shaded location.

Warning

The desert rose (Adenium Obesum) is a striking plant with succulent stems and deep coloured flowers. However, there is an important consideration when growing this plant, particularly in the house. Its sap is poisonous and should never come into contact with children or pets.

Instructions

What you need to know about desert rose

Name: desert rose (Adenium obesum).

Height: up to 2m in the ground, but more often pot-grown; ideal for bonsai.

Foliage: elongated, mid green, tough; deciduous.

Climate: sub-tropical to tropical, arid; warm temperate frost-free climates; tolerates cold nights.

Soil: prefers well-drained, gritty soil, but tolerates richer loams.

Position: sunny open spot; light shade from hot midday/afternoon sun will reduce leaf scorch.

Flowering: single rose-like flowers in variety of colours and combinations, predominantly pink, white and red.

Feeding: use a long-term controlled-release fertiliser sparingly.

Watering: water when conditions are hot and dry; good drainage is essential. Don’t water over dormant period.

Appearance and characteristics of desert rose

Desert rose is a succulent, but unlike most succulents, it doesn’t have swollen leaves. Instead, it has a swollen, belly-like trunk known as a caudex, which acts as a moisture store. It more closely resembles a bottle tree or baobab than a typical succulent. As the plant ages, the caudex expands and may divide to form a buttress (see the bonsai example above).

Its branches and stems look like those of a frangipani. Its leaves are smaller and mid-green. Desert rose flowers are very like those of oleander, allamanda and frangipani in shape. They have five equally sized and spaced petals surrounding a central yellow “eye” with each on its own short stem. Colour ranges from pink through to deep red, with many variations and combinations available. Flower size will depend on growing conditions, but is on average around 5cm across.

How to plant and grow desert rose

Growing desert rose from seeds

Growing desert rose from seeds can be tricky. The plant does set seed after flowering, but the resultant seedlings are variable. For a true-to-type plant, take stem cuttings when dormant or buy a named variety.

How to plant a desert rose

Desert rose can be planted outside in the garden in warm to tropical and arid climates, but it is most commonly grown as a potted plant or bonsai. It is not an “indoor” plant – it can be taken inside for short periods while in flower, but prefers being outside in a warm, sunny spot, out of chilly winds.

If planting desert rose in the garden, follow these steps:

Choose a sunny position; in tropical and arid areas some light shade from midday will protect it from scorching.

Plant so the base of caudex (trunk) is at or just above soil level – never “bury” a desert rose.

Soil should be free-draining and gravelly, but a richer loam will be tolerated.

Add a long-term controlled-release fertiliser during soil preparation.

If planting desert rose in a pot, follow these steps:

A porous terracotta or clay pot is preferred, as it drains well and dries out more quickly than plastics, ceramics or fibreglass.

Add a shallow layer of pebbles or “crocks” in the base of the pot to further improve drainage.

Use a premium-quality cactus and succulent potting mix.

Set your desert rose in the pot so the base of its caudex is at or just slightly above the top of the potting mix.

Position the pot in a sheltered spot for a week or so to overcome transplant shock, then move into the light.

Light shade from midday will minimise leaf scorch.

If planting desert rose as a bonsai, follow these steps:

Choose a shallow bonsai pot or bowl that is in proportion to the size of the plant. Ensure the pot has plenty of drainage holes.

Remove the plant from its pot.

Trim the roots so the base of the caudex will be above the rim of the pot or bowl and the roots will fit neatly inside the pot.

Trim a piece of flywire mesh to neatly fit inside the base.

Holding the plant in position, fill in and around its roots with a premium-quality bonsai potting mix.

Water well to settle the mix.

Trim the top growth to start the training and shaping process.

Place the pot in a sheltered spot for a few weeks before gradually introducing it to an open position.

Provide light shade from midday onwards if possible.

Caring for desert rose

Like other succulents, desert rose does need regular watering, especially in hot, dry weather.

Promote flowering with a water-soluble or liquid fertiliser in spring and summer, diluted to about one third of the recommended strength on the label.

A long-term controlled-release fertiliser can be added around plants in the garden and pots once a year. Again, use it sparingly.

Pruning desert rose

When grown in the garden, desert rose responds well to light pruning to keep it shapely, in much the same way that a frangipani is pruned. Cut back only in the dry season to avoid infections entering cuts.

A bonsai desert rose should have its tips nipped out every few months, but do take note of where flowers appear from and don’t trim back past these points before flowers have appeared.

Diseases and pests affecting desert rose

Desert rose is reasonably free of diseases, and rarely troubled by pests. If aphids or mealy bugs are present, a light spray with white oil or insecticidal soap may be applied.

These instructions are provided to you as a courtesy and are not the completest instructions you will find however it is a very good starting place. These instructions may not suite the way you want to grow these Adeniums, therefore it is your sole responsibility to do research properly before planting or even purchasing seeds from me. I do not and will not accept responsibility for buyer errors which are the main reason why germination does not take place.

VERY IMPORTANT

I do not guarantee germination as I have no control over the way you plant the seeds nor do I guarantee the same flower colour as the picture. All seeds are harvested from the mother plant as pictured. I do not guarantee petal types, some seeds may produce a single petal and some may produce a double.

The information I have provided above in this advertisement is from my own personal experiences, I do not guarantee that the information above will suit you the way you grow these seeds.

I am a very reasonable person and will accommodate you where I can, however, If you are not comfortable with this important information, please do not purchase as I do not want you to be disappointed.

PAYMENT

a. PayPal is the preferred method of payment, however to limit fees Bank Deposit is also accepted. No other payment methods will be accepted unless buyer contacts seller for alternate options before payment is made.

b. Item(s) will not be shipped until the full payment is received.

POSTAGE

a. Free untracked postage is provided, however customers are advised to select Registered Post (with Tracking).

b. Postage in 24-48 hours is applicable for most cases other than if I am short on stock, Postage days exclude weekends and public holidays.

c. It usually takes 5-12 business days to receive your order, not include weekend and holidays.

d. I accept no responsibility for incorrect postal addresses, refunds or replacements will not be provided if you cannot retrieve items from Australia Post yourself.

RETURNS

a. I do not accept returns for this product if the packaging has been opened.

b. I do not offer refunds or replacements on items that have been posted free “untracked”.

c. Buyer is responsible for all return costs.

d. Return costs are non-refundable.

Additional information

Weight	5 g