Adenium

>

Description: The Desert Rose is a native of East Africa. It has fleshy leaves and beautiful 2-inch pink open-trumpet shaped flowers. It is a succulent, and forms more of a bush than a tree. It will be an indoor bonsai in all but the warmest climates.

The desert rose produce a massive stem when growing older, but will start blooming when quite young, at only 6 inches tall (15 cm). It makes a nice Bonsai. Care and cultivation: Adenium needs lots of light and fresh air. Keep in a bright location in winter. Growing temperature should not be below 54 degrees. However, in the winter, keeping it cool (between 54-61 degrees) whch gives the plant a needed rest. Desert rose needs little water during winter, especially when kept cool. Increase water during growing and blooming periods. The total watering needed is similar to crassula, portulacaria and other succulents, and it will lose leaves if overwatered. Feed monthly during spring and summer with liquid bonsai fertilizer. Do heavy pruning after the plant's rest period. However, it bleeds profusely, so heavy pruning should be kept to a minimum. New shoots can be pruned regularly. The sap is poisonous, so clean hands after pruning, and avoid getting sap into open wounds. Root prune and repot every two years, after the winter rest period, in a mix of 2 parts bonsai soil, 2 parts peat, and one part sand. Can tolerate being pot-bound. Propagation Methods: From woody stem cuttings - they need to be dried for 3-4 days before planting in a sand-peat mix.Varieties: Adenium obesum, Adenium multiflorum