During its growing season (late spring and summer), the soil of the desert rose should be kept moist but never saturated. Your plant should be kept in warm temperatures at all times—it will die quickly if exposed to prolonged temperatures of under 50 degrees Fahrenheit and thrives best at temperatures between 65 and 90 degrees. Although the stem may feel slightly soft when it needs water, root rot will gradually spread through the entire plant. They are very drought and fire hardy. Growing Desert Rose in Containers. Adenium flower. A nice fat trunk is an indicator of plant health. The desert rose (Adenium obesum) is a slow-growing plant (gaining less than 12 inches per year) that boasts a thick, succulent stem and deep pink flowers. Desert Roses will grow well in any soil type but prefer a well drained soil. If the area is soft and fleshy in small areas you need to use a sterilized knife to cut out the rot. Plastic pots that have a size of 10-12 inches, plastic bowls and bonsai pots can be used for planting desert rose. Using a mixture of two parts loam and one part course sand will allow proper drainage. In early summer, when the plants' growth rate slows, stop using the soluble fertilizer and make one application of a slow-release palm specialize fertilizer. It simply requires a little knowledge. The Desert Rose growing outdoors are amazingly drought tolerant and may not need watering once established. This plant is a type of caudiciform or “fat plant” because of its thick bulbous base. Rooted cuttings will form a very thick trunk in time. Spring, Summer & Fall: As long as the nightly temperatures do not drop below 40ºF, the bonsai can be left out on the patio or in the garden. If a pet or animal comes in contact with the sap of the desert rose, contact your vet or emergency animal poison control immediately. Once the seedling appears only water it from below until it is large enough to transplant. The desert rose can be grown from seeds or from stem cuttings. If you have one adenium and you take proper care of it, you should good flowering and then seed pod formation soon. Answer: Yes, growing an Adenium or Desert Rose bonsai style is a great way to enjoy these plants. Sometimes simply referred to as adenium, this African native can be grown as a shrub or tree or used in bonsai. Make sure you knock the dirt of the roots and remove any dead or rotted roots and treat any cuts it may have with a fungicide. Even though it is easier to start a desert rose from seeds, many gardeners claim to have had better success with root cuttings. Like most succulents, the desert rose does best with full sun. Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home.". Water the plant until the water begins to drip into the drip pan. Planting. As it is a succulent plant, it needs to be watered about three-four times a week, and not more than that. In many tropical and warmer climates (USDA zones 11 and 12), it's a beloved ornamental outdoor plant, while in other parts of the country it adds color to the indoors. It's best planted in the spring and is deciduous in cooler winters, but can be kept in leaf if it receives warm enough temperatures and a bit of water. How much you trim back depends on how small you want your desert rose to remain. The desert rose can be propagated from branch cuttings, but the plants often fail to develop the characteristic (and highly desired) bulbous stem. The plant also prefers consistently warm temperatures, which is why, in many parts of the United States (except for USDA zones 11 and 12), it is an indoor plant. The varietal is known to be very dangerous, due to its milky sap that possesses lethal toxins (in fact, they were once used in poison arrows for hunting in Africa). 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