Adenium

To the genus Adenium belongs to only one species-adenium obese (Adenium obesum), which has several subspecies, which are sometimes considered as independent species. These are stem succulents with a strongly thickened base of the stem. On sale, plants are grafted on oleander. In nature, adenium obese reaches a height of 3 m, in pot culture-50-60 cm. Leaves narrow, obovate lanceolate, leathery, green, shiny. The flowers resemble the flowers of the oleander are very sticky, are collected in small terminal corymbs. They have a tubular Corolla, Carmine or pink, sometimes with a white Central part; occasionally there are completely white flowers. Flowering, as a rule, is very abundant, long, with the exception of the winter dormancy period. There are many varieties known, among them: 'White' with white flowers, 'Bangkok pink' with white flowers, red along the edge, and 'Variegated' with white-pink flowers and creamy-green leaves. In adenium obese subspecies bohemian (A. O. boheminaum) , or adenium lugardii, leaves larger than the original species. For adenium obese subspecies multi-flowered (A. O. multiflorum) is characterized by particularly abundant flowering; in adenium obese subspecies somali (A. O. somalense) has very narrow, lanceolate bluish-green leaves.

To the genus Adenium belongs to only one species-adenium obese (Adenium obesum), which has several subspecies, which are sometimes considered as independent species. These are stem succulents with a strongly thickened base of the stem. On sale, plants are grafted on oleander. In nature, adenium obese reaches a height of 3 m, in pot culture-50-60 cm. Leaves narrow, obovate lanceolate, leathery, green, shiny. The flowers resemble the flowers of the oleander are very sticky, are collected in small terminal corymbs. They have a tubular Corolla, Carmine or pink, sometimes with a white Central part; occasionally there are completely white flowers. Flowering, as a rule, is very abundant, long, with the exception of the winter dormancy period.

There are many varieties known, among them: 'White' with white flowers, 'Bangkok pink' with white flowers, red along the edge, and 'Variegated' with white-pink flowers and creamy-green leaves. In adenium obese subspecies bohemian (A. O. boheminaum) , or adenium lugardii, leaves larger than the original species. For adenium obese subspecies multi-flowered (A. O. multiflorum) is characterized by particularly abundant flowering; in adenium obese subspecies somali (A. O. somalense) has very narrow, lanceolate bluish-green leaves.

Cultivation

Adeniums are grown in indoor conditions as beautiful flowering plants, often used in bonsai. In the summer, they can be taken out into the open air, but then in the fall they should be removed to the house. The optimal composition of the substrate is a mixture of garden fertile land and peat (2:1). Complete mineral complex fertilizer is added at the rate of 15 g per bucket of land. For adenium grown as bonsai, use a ready-made bonsai substrate, a mixture of peat and sand (2:2:1) with the addition of 10 g of a complete complex fertilizer per bucket of land. Once a month (except during the dormant period), liquid bonsai fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 ml per bucket. To beautifully form the aboveground part, the shoots are slightly pruned at the end of winter, but this should be done very carefully, because poisonous milky juice is released from the plant. Wash your hands thoroughly and keep the plant away from children.

Adeniums are grown in indoor conditions as beautiful flowering plants, often used in bonsai. In the summer, they can be taken out into the open air, but then in the fall they should be removed to the house. The optimal composition of the substrate is a mixture of garden fertile land and peat (2:1). Complete mineral complex fertilizer is added at the rate of 15 g per bucket of land.

For adenium grown as bonsai, use a ready-made bonsai substrate, a mixture of peat and sand (2:2:1) with the addition of 10 g of a complete complex fertilizer per bucket of land. Once a month (except during the dormant period), liquid bonsai fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 ml per bucket. To beautifully form the aboveground part, the shoots are slightly pruned at the end of winter, but this should be done very carefully, because poisonous milky juice is released from the plant. Wash your hands thoroughly and keep the plant away from children.

Location

This plant requires a lot of light. Outside the house, it can be kept in the open sun or in partial shade.

Temperature

It should never fall below 10-12 °C, the optimal temperature is 20-22 °C. In winter, it is recommended to keep the plant at a temperature of 12-14 °C for some time in order to maintain a dormant state. If optimal humidity and ventilation are maintained in the room, the plant will not suffer due to high temperatures.

Watering

For adeniums, it is important to accurately observe the irrigation regime. In winter, the rate of irrigation is limited, especially during the dormant period, but not allowing the soil to dry out. In summer the volume of irrigation water is increased by making irrigation strictly regularly. The moisture content of the soil is determined to the touch.

Transplant

A new pot of adenium is transplanted every 2 years in spring, using a substrate of the same composition.

Care

Remove wilted flowers and damaged leaves regularly.

Reproduction

Seed propagation is very difficult, but it is the only way to get a specimen with a characteristic swollen stem. Usually use cuttings, cutting off the cuttings in June-July and drying it for 3-4 days. Then they are planted in a mixture of peat and sand, taken in equal parts. If you want to speed up the root formation process, treat the lower cut of the cuttings with phytohormones. Seedlings sometimes bloom in the first year after planting.

Diseases

When growing, it is necessary to strictly avoid excess or lack of moisture during watering and lowering the temperature, which can lead to leaf fall. Sometimes worms appear on the underside of the leaves and shoots, draining the plants. Get rid of pests by using one of the anticoccidial drugs.

Acquisition

Adeniums can be purchased in horticultural nurseries with an expanded range of crops. In specialized centers, you can easily find plants grown as bonsai. Choose well-formed seedlings with beautiful glossy foliage and a few already opened buds. Check if they are infected with worms.