Adenium seeds index FAQ 5

Q27. What should I do with this dry end like on the pictures? Pic
Because the end of the plants is soft, it will be easily to be damaged or rotten during shipping.
Here are the places that will be better being cut. Pic

Q28. It does get windy here, should I try to block the wind from the plants?
I moved the plants under cover so it doesn't rain on them,
at the moment the soil is totally dry.
It looks like it is going to rain soon so I am scared to water them,
the soil wont dry out.
It has been really hot and humid but not very sunny.
I have only been watering in the morning of nice sunny days about once a week. Pic

When we just begin to sow, we usually use a small amount of soil.
Then when the seedlings start appearing (in about 10 days),
we will add some more soil and long-term chemical fertilizer to them.
Your soil seems too dry, there should be enough moisture, but not too much.
If the drainage of media and soil are good, the plants will not be afraid of watering everyday!
In addition, we suggest you to change the soil
because your soil will only keep for about 2 months.
About your seedlings that the stems become brown(not darker brown),
it means that your flowers will be red.
About that really green on the stem, that means the flowers will be white.
About that the little brown and green ones, that means your flowers will be pink!

Q29. There are at least 6 leaves of my plants, though most of leaves are still small.
Will the plants have more branches if I prune the branches at the first flowering?
If I prune the branches, will the flowering bloom later than if I do not prune?
How much longer does it takes?
The most important thing for pruning is the plants should be pruned when they are still young and
better when it is between 25-35°C. You can prune them now if you want.
The smaller you prune, the more beautiful the shape will be.
You can now prune it, then when it starts to bloom first flower, you can prune it again. It will be better!
If you wanna prune it after the 1st flower bloom, there are more branches(maybe 4-5 branches),
the branches also will be stronger.
Then after about 4-5 months, you can prune it again.
If they are pruned at the time they do not grow, also the weather is not warm enough,
then it will cause the plants to be atrophic.
Actually, it won't be difficult for flowers to bloom after pruning.

Q30. What is Star of Top? Will it have white leaves? If it is exposed under the sunlight,
will the leaves become totally white or just some spots?
If it is planted under the place where full of sunlight, then the leaves will become white.
However, if it is planted under the darker place where the sunlight is not much,
the leaves will become green.
If it is exposed under the full sunlight, the leaves will be white.
If it is put on the place where is a little sunlight,
there are some green spots on the white leaves.
The 1st leaf on the top will be white, but if the new leaf grows, it will cover the old leaf on the top,
then the 1st leaf will become green.

Q31. My 10 year-old Adenium starts rotting, what should I do?
About the rotting parts, cut them with the tool disinfected with the alcohol.
Then apply some fungicide on the parts.
Remember to put the plants under the cool place till the cutting parts are dry enough.
If it is not dry enough, it still will rot again.
There are some reasons may cause the roots being rotten.
1. Do you seldom change the medias?
If the medias aren't being changed for a long time, the roots will rot.
2. If the soil is alchemized, the roots will rot.
3. Are there any snails on your plants?
If the plant is bitten by the snails, then it will start to rot!

Q32. Does Desert Rose grow well in short or high pot?
W hen you start to plant, because the seeds are small, so use a shallow pot.
When the caudex is big like the ball, you can change the pot to the high one.
Because the caudex will almost be exposed in the shallow pots, then they will grow slower.
When you think that the plants have grown enough to be seen, that is, it is aesthetic enough, you can change them to a more shallow pot.

Q33. When do I expect to have my Red Flabellate to get the crest?
About the Red flabellate, it takes about 19 months to develop a crest.
However, we can't promise you the exact time for the development of a crest, because it also needs luck.
It may take more than 19 months.
In our experience, the more mature the caudex is, the more likely to the plant get crested.
Thus, the minium time is about 19 months.

Q34. My seedlings are at 4 leaves, should I begin adding special product
to the water for them to grow stronger now, or is it still too early?
The temperature should be between 25-35°C during the growing period of Adenium,
If it is between 25-35°C, applying water-soluble fertilizers to leaves is okay.
However, if the weather is too cold, the plant will become dormant and applying fertilizer will increase the stress of the plants.

Q35. What does the number after Arabicum mean (such as Arabicum 9+, -18)?
These numbers are just like marks of plants, and remind us which one customers would like to buy.
It can ensure that customers will get the exact one that you see in the picture description.

Q36. How long does the grafted plant bloom since I plant it?
And how should I grow the seeds and when do they bloom?
If you buy grafted plants and grow them at 25-35°C , it takes about 45 days to bloom.

Please refer to the link about how to grow seeds. (Our Sowing Experiences) It takes 157 days for seeds to bloom.
But the temperature must be at 23-36°C. Some of our customers spend about 18 months.
Because they are not professional growers and the winter stays long for most of the countries.

Q37. Why is the cutting of the grafted plant I received so short?
As our description in the auction, the grafted plant is the new species of adenium,
so we don't have much time to grow it.
If you have no confidence in short ones,
I suggest that you may buy it 3 months later after you see the auction.
Then the cutting will be getting longer and the price may be cheaper. However,
if you buy the grafted plant but fail in growing it,
it is okay for you to mail me. After our discussion, I may replace you a new one.

Q38. How do I order cuttings or grafts? How much does it cost
and how long will it be per cutting? https://www.adenium.com.tw/cuttings.htm
Cuttings are sold at 6"(15cm) a piece and they will be collected in the best condition
which is suitable for grafting. The thickness of the cuttings may differ,
however, cuttings from those recent introductions,
usually appear on the first page of https://www.adenium.com.tw/desert20.htm, will be thinner and more expensive.
Please feel free to contact with me to find out the availability and price.
We have had successful experience shipping to the US,
it takes about 8~12 days and arrives in a good condition.

Q39. How do I prune the Adenium to look better and bloom more?
1. There are no rules on pruning adeniums. It depends on individual's preference.
Some may let it grow naturally, some may select to trim it to form a bonsai;
whereas some may prefer the exposure of nice, big caudex and its unique root forms.
2. Proper pruning can affect the amount of flowers in the next blooming cycle.
Once a limb is done with its blooms, cut it down 2-3” above the fork
which is connected to and apply fertilizers with high phosphorous
and potassium content to encourage to formation of buds and large flowers.
During flowering, reduce the amount of water given to the plant,
so that the flowers can last longer.
3. To make the Adenium more pretty is really an abstract philosophy and it is also a tough task.
Only studying more about adenium will enable you to know how to make your adenium more pretty.

Q40. How do I prevent the Adenium from being contaminated by germs and how to cure it?
Most of the adenium growers would spray pesticide to avoid being infected by bugs and insects.
Also, you can also use some systemic products such as Syngenta or Benlate,
and inject them into the root under the soil.

Q41. How do I select the rootstocks and the scions for grafting?
Also, what are the tools can be used for grafting?
Stock: the portion of the plant that serves as the rooted portion of the graft
1. Rootstocks should be strong and healthy whereas scion-woods should be picked from the better
breeds. Most important of all, the scion-woods need to be fresh.
2. The scion-woods should be a bit smaller than the stock,
and it will facilitate the grafting/healing process.
3. The grafting knife should be as sharp and clean as possible.
Grafting is like performing a surgery, if the knife is infected,
it can contaminate the plant and make graft failed.

Q42. When is the best for grafting?
1. Grafting should be performed when the temperature is between 25-35°C.
2. Please do not graft before or after the rainy days and stormy days.
3. Wrapping the graft with a plastic bag to minimize the loss of water,
and avoid insects or something damaging the grafts. From spring to autumn,
the plastic bag may be removed after 10 days,
and the plastic rope can be untied from the plant after 45 days.
If the grafts are done at humid or sheltered place, the bags may not be required. During winter,
the plastic bag could be removed after 20~25 days,
and the plastic rope can be untied after 70 days.
Again, these rules are not absolute and it depends on your local climate.
It is highly recommended to try grafts, because it is so fun.

Q43. How do I graft cutting withes to the Adenium?
Stock: the portion of the plant that serves as the rooted portion of the graft
Pic 1, Pic 2 and Pic 3 illustrate the ways to cut the rootstock and the scion-wood.
Take special note on the length of the scion-wood and make sure that it has 2 to 3 leaf nodes,
so that the new leaves can be grown.
Also, you might need to cut the protuberant nodes and make the scion-wood flatter,
because the nodes will fall after the new leaves growing.
Then do a v-cut just a bit bigger than the cut on the rootstock.
Once the scion-wood is placed in the notch of the rootstock and wrapped with an elastic string,
the job is pretty much done.
When you are cutting the stock and the scion-wood, the white stringy fluid will appear,
and it is the crucial element of successful grafting.
Do NOT wipe off the fluid. However, if the fluid is left on the cutting knife, please clean it off.
You may want to consider using cleaning alcohol to rinse the knife frequently to ensure cleanliness.
Pic 4 shows what we use as the grafting rope. When you tie the scion-wood to the rootstock,
bind around the union three to five times. Note, don't tie it up too tight,
and it is just fine to keep them attached to each other,
and do not tie a knot that is not easy to untie.
Pic 5 describes the last step of grafts, i.e., to cover the plant with a plastic bag.
Plastic bags should be larger than the grafted limb and transparent so that it is pervious to light.
Make sure the bag does not touch with the scion-wood
in order to prevent the mist of bag from contacting the graft.

Q44. How should I maintain the grafts?
1. Grafts should be placed in an open and airy places, and avoid direct sunlight to the Desert Rose.
2. In our nursery, we normally see new sprouts about a week after grafting. We suggest, however,
you wait for another 3~4 days before removing the bag.
3. Do not water the plant before removing the bag. Start regular watering after removing the bag.
4. When watering after removing bag, try not to water the place that has been grafted,
or the plant will likely be infected.

Q45. Why do most of the Adenium growers suggest air-layering when reproducing?
By air-layering, the roots will grow better; this is why many growers promote it.
Materials of sphagnum and some hormone that stimulate the growth of root are the best.
When proceeding air-layering and finding the sphagnum is too dry,
you can try injecting water with syringe to wet the sphagnum.
After carrying into execution about 5~7 months, you can cut away from the mother plant.
(It is recommended to perform such method during Spring and Summer.)

Q46. Why is the graft so popular?
Why do the adeniums that grow on hills lose their calyx easily in the autumn?
1. The plant blooms sooner by grafts.
2. When it comes to flowers losing their calyx easily, the reason may be the lack of sunlight,
climate, surroundings, the timing of flowering, and fertilization.
Usually the adenium needs sunlight at a temperature of 20~40°C to keep growing.
On the hills, the temperature is lower in general, so when autumn comes,
the adenium goes into dormancy earlier. This also will cause the plant to lose its calyx.

Q47. Why does the tip of some withes turn into dark and there's a spot on the leaves,
even the leaves turn into yellow and drop off?
Why do some flowers look like thin as if they are cut or anorexic?
If the growing of the grafted plants are quite prompt,
it will also make the grafted plants getting especially soft. When the grafted plants meet the rainy days
or were bitten by worm even the grafted plants have snail on them,
or the grafts meet the sunny day with brightly sunlight but it has light drizzle,
all these factors will lead to this situation.
If the tip of the plants are turning dark, you can cut below the dark parts about 1~2 cm ,
then you can use the fungicide to smear over the parts you cut.
Then we think it will improve the bad situation of the plants. About the flowers,
in the beginning, the flowers will look like thin, it is normal.
It may need to grow for over 6 months, then the flower will bloom much better.

Q48. When we receive your plants, what is the yellowish powder?
What should I do with the plants?
1. When you receive the grafted plants, open the plastic bag and pick them up.
2. The yellowish powder is fungicide. Therefore, you don't need to spray fungicide again.
3. One day later, you can plant those plants and also place them
under black woven shade cloth (about 50% sunlight), do not water them too much.
This step is for waking the plants up, because plants are dormant during transit.
When the plants start to grow leaves,
you can remove them to a place where it gets 100% sunlight and increase watering.

Q49. Can I purchase the big grafted plant?
Shipping fee for large plants is usually quite expensive.
That's the reason why we don't sell the large plants. In general,
if our customers want to purchase large plants, they will come to our garden to purchase the plants personally.
Then we will help our customers to ship the plants. Otherwise, we don't sell them.

Q50. How to know what kind of Fertilizer my plants need during their growth stage?
If I want my plants to bloom quickly, what kind of Fertilizer is suggested to use?

Please note our below explanation of how to use fertilizer is based on temperature condition between 22-35°C.
Under this temperature condition, we divide plants growth stage into four to explain.

The first stage (sowing to one month old seedlings), pictures 2
We do not suggest to use any fertilizer in the media at this period.
because the plants will grow fast at this stage.
During this period, we will use liquid fertilizer and spray once or twice a week.
Please use high N and low P and K liquid fertilizer, such as N20-P15-K15 and plant in the 1 inch pot tray.

The second stage (one month to two months old seedlings),
We suggest to use liquid fertilizer at this period.
But the N:P:K ratios in fertilizer should be changed to the same level,
such as N20-P20-K20 and spray once or twice a week.

The third stage (after two months old seedlings),
We prepare to transplant seedlings to a bigger pot (3 inch pot).
When transplanting the seedlings,
we will add slow release chemical fertilizer which can maintain for one year into media and stir with media.
Because the plants will grow much faster at this period and the plants need more fertilizer to grow strong.
We will use slow release chemical fertilizer which N:P:K ratios is same, for example N20-P20-K20.
Also, we will spray liquid fertilizer N:P:K ratios in same level to plant leaves
such as N20-P20-K20 once or twice a week,
in order to supplement insufficient part during this fast growing period.
The leaves' surface will absorb liquid fertilizer easily.

The fourth stage (after four months old seedlings),
During this period, the plants are going to bloom, if the temperature is between 22-35°C.
We will change liquid fertilizer N:P:K ratios.
We will use liquid fertilizer which have high P,K and low N or even stopping N,
such as N8:P15:K15. And still spray once or twice a week.

If your plants have already grown the picture shown stage,
and you want to see your plants to bloom often,
please use liquid fertilizer which have more P and K and spray once or twice a week to your plants' leaves.
The leaves' surface will absorb liquid fertilizer easily.
Please avoid to spray liquid fertilizer under strong sunlight.
The best time is to spray in the morning or in afternoon after sunset.
This will help your plants to bloom quickly.

If the temperature is below 22°C, please stop using the fertilizer.
Because the plant will be dormant in the cold weather.
When the weather become warms, you can fertilize your plants again.

Q51. Do you have any recommendation for fertilizer?
We use the long-lasting chemical fertilizer(Osmocote Exact). The ingredients are N11 : P11 : K18

Q52. Is applying liquid fertilizer alone enough?
Adenium needs a lot of fertilizer. If you just use a regular fertilizer spray, we don't think it's enough for growth enhancement. The best way is to apply liquid fertilizer during the growing period and place long-acting chemical base fertilizer (Osmocote Exact) in the soil (at the temperature of 23-35°C in summer). Using both fertilizers at the same time achieves better results.

Q53. What types of fertilizer should I use?
The use of fertilizer depends on personal habit,
if you use the planting mixtures like river, coarse sand and perlite, then it is better to use chemical fertilizer. It can reduce the pest occurence.
and using organic animal manures such as: chicken manure will make medium(soil) salinize, and block soil's permeability, in the end, making the soil muddy, drained, impermeable, which causes the plants to die easily.

The most important thing is not to let fertilizer block soil's permeability. Fertilizer made of animal manure is prone to block soil's permeability, it also increases the incidence of pests. so it depends on personal experiences and efficient use.

Q54. Adenium leaves got black spots on them. Some of plants look like they are dying. What should I do?
Raining might cause the leaves to get black spots due to fungus. So we recommend you use fungicide. For your reference, the ingredients are shown as below, we suggest that you could copy its ingredients and take it to your nearby pesticide shop to ask the expert, does he/she sell similiar fungicide?

1. Main ingredients：
Manganese Ethylenebis(Dithiocarbamate)(Polymeric) complex with Zinc salt 80%：
(1)manganese 16% (2)Zinc 2% (3)Ethylene bisdithiocarbamate ion 62%
2. Other ingredients：Inert ingredients 20%

Q55. How can I get rid of the spider mites?
For Spider mite, properly ventilate the room that you put your plants, and avoid planting Adeniums with fine hairs on the back of the leaves, if the issue is not improved, we recommend that you could cut off one leaf and take it to nearby pesticide shop to ask the expert if there is anything that could stop spider mites from spreading.

Q56. What are the differences between Adenium, Obesum and Arabicum?
Adenium is the scientific name of Desert Rose. Obesum has a soft caudex. There are many different flower colours with multi-petals, single petals. Arabicum has a strong, chubby caudex and grows faster. SOMALENSE also has these characteristics with a long, straight trunk. Most of them have pink flowers, a few have pure white colour and they are single-petals. So these two varieties could grow tall like trees.

Q57. How often should I water Adenium?
You need to observe the plant by yourself and decide if you need to water. In the early period of sowing, you need to observe the leaves, if the leaves aren’t drooping and don't look like very weak, then you don't need to water them often. When you see the leaves drooping again, you can water them. In addition, when you water the plants, please let your soil absorb all the water and be moist fully.

When the seedling has 3-4 leaves, you need to reduce watering, which means you can't keep the soil moist as often. This is because, the seedling (plant) needs to be dry in order to grow its root system, when the seedling (plant) has a vigorous root system /exuberant root groups, they have the ability to grow fast and strong.

Q58. What kind of soil should I use for adenium?
Mixing Soil to plant Desert Roses:

1. Before choosing the soil mixture, you should first consider choosing what kind of pot to match the soil mixture. Here are the most two common examples:
(1) If you choose a plastic pot with a lighter material, you need a heavier soil mixture.
(2) If you choose a porcelain pot with a heavier material, you should use a lighter combining soil.
(3) Desert rose is an outdoor plant, so it is necessary to choose the appropriate weight of soil and pot.

2. Desert Rose is perennial, so you can choose a mixture that does not decompose or deteriorate easily as the most basic soil mix, this commonly used mix includes river coarse sand, stone chips, vermiculite, perlite, cotton, etc.

3. After choosing the basic soil mix materials above, you can also choose other suitable mixture materials such as peat, coir, coco peat, coco chunks, animal manure, rice husk charcoal, etc. depending on the local climate.

We put coconut coir on the bottoms of pots. In this way, coconut coir can help drain more easily. Besides, the cocount coir contains a lot of fertilizer k, which can help flowers bloom. Those are pots full of coconut coir on the bottom. Those are the desert roses which plant in the pots with coconut coir. We put them up to let people see clearly. The roots grow whiter, flourish, and compact.

Mix : We found that desert rose itself is not picky when it comes to soil environment. It can grow in many kinds of mix which is well drained. The best thing to do is to select materials that are readily available at your place. We don't have a fixed formula for the mix. We usually use coarse sand, coconut peat, rice husk and some decomposed leaves. The approximate ratio is 3:2:2:1. We have never used perlite so we can not give any comments on it. we use this mix for seed germination and seedlings. For bigger plants, chips of coconut husk is added to provide more porosity.

Q59. Which adeniums give fragrance?
Usually, the Adeniums with white flowers will have a scent. But the scent is very light, and the flowers must be in a closed space, so that the scent will appear. These five varieties- Fragrant Delight, Fragrant Star, Super Perfume, KO_ebay111 and KO_ebay235 are for your reference. You could find them in our online store.

Q60. I got one albino seedling. Will it survive?
Usually, if the seedlings come up Albino, they will die within 10 days. Albino seedlings does not produce any chlorophyll which means they cannot photosynthesize. Because they need chlorophyll to photosynthesize. There is a successful survival rate if the Albino seedling is grafted on the healthy seedling, please refer to the below pictures 1,pictures 2, the Albino seedling could survive, it could grow into a new variety. If you are lucky enough, the seedling will produce some chlorophyll, and it will be a new variety with variegated leaves.

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