As soon as this wonderful plant is called: a
desert rose, a star of Sabinia, an impala lily ... In fact, representatives of this genus are called adenium. Care at home for this representative of succulents, which is a beautiful flowering compact tree, is not difficult, and its decorative appearance can compete with many indoor plants.
General information
Adenium is a representative of the vast Kurtov family. There are several types of these shrubby or tree-like succulents. Until now, all its species are not fully systematized. Despite this, breeders from different countries have been working for many years to develop new varieties of plants that simply amaze gardeners with their beautiful flowers and elegant shapes. Even non-blooming adeniums are very decorative. Their huge oil-olive leaves (sometimes variegated), located on thickened branches, look great in any interior. Adenium, home care which greatly affects the overall appearance of the plant, is the so-called “caudisiform” (forms a large thickening of the trunk in the lower part of the plant, containing a supply of nutrients and water).
Distribution area in nature
Adeniums are common in the subtropics and tropics of Africa. They are characterized by excellent survival even in the most extreme desert conditions. They are not afraid of the scorching sun and lack of water. Sometimes very impressive specimens can be found even on stony soil, where other plants simply do not survive. Adenium flower, care of which at home in most cases comes down to simple watering, feels great in the tropics. At the same time, the plants growing there differ from their desert counterparts only in the number of flowers and trunk thickness. In other words, the more moisture a plant receives, the more impressive its size. Under natural conditions, the height of the adenium can reach 3 m. The diameter of its trunk sometimes exceeds 1.5 m. Most often it can be found in Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia.
Types of Adenium
Botanists have seven main species of this plant, which differ slightly from each other in their morphological characteristics. So, the following adeniums are distinguished: obesum (obese), swazicum (Swaziland), oleifolium (olivifolia), arabicum (Arabic), somalense (Somali), socotranum (Socotran), multiflorum (multiflorum).
Adenium: care and maintenance in the apartment
The domestication of this plant began relatively recently. In the CIS countries, even some well-known amateur gardeners still do not know what adenium is. The care and cultivation of this succulent has become very popular in the countries of Southeast Asia, from which most of the seed and planting material is now supplied. Of particular interest to breeders is the hybrid adenium. Home care for such a plant is very simple. Moreover, his ability to cross different varieties is simply amazing. Thanks to this property of adenium, in just a few years, dozens of beautiful specimens were obtained, which are the pride of breeders. Florists in Thailand and Taiwan were able to create plants with a variety of colors and flower shapes. So, their shades vary from white to almost black. The shape of the flower can be either a simple five-petal or terry (very similar to a rose). This plant looks most spectacularly formed in the form of a large bonsai. Adeniums are very responsive to fertilizers. Complex additives containing an equal ratio of phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium are best suited for them. Fertilize the plant in small doses, but often. In winter (dormancy), adenium, home care at which at this time is reduced only to watering, drops its foliage almost completely. Sometimes this phenomenon is observed during the growth period of the trunk (caudex) and after flowering. This plant dies when the air temperature drops below 6 ° C.
Plant features
Thickening on the trunk (caudex) makes this flower look like an old bonsai, although it can be achieved in impressive size in just a few years. It is not necessary to buy an adult plant. Even a beginner grower who knows only the basics of growing plants can get a wonderful adenium. The care and reproduction of this flower is not too complicated. At the same time, plants grown from seeds or from the apical stem have almost the same caudex. Adenium is propagated in spring. Experienced flower growers receive new copies of air layering and vaccination on the oleander. This succulent is watered as the soil dries. On very hot days, it can be moistened daily. It should be remembered that in the summer (during flowering and active growth) drying out of the earth coma is undesirable. In winter, watering is reduced to 2-3 times a week. It should be remembered that with severe restriction of water in the cold season, abundant spring watering can lead to rapid decay of the caudex.
Flowering adenium
This plant is especially beautiful during the flowering period. It depends on the number of sunny days and air temperature. Most often in indoor conditions from May to September the blooming adenium pleases the eye. Home care for this succulent allows you to extend the budding period established by nature. This is achieved by creating additional lighting and maintaining the room temperature at 24-25 ° C. Adenium requires maximum lighting in all periods of the year.
Succulent Features
Like many other flowering plants, this succulent has a fairly toxic juice. That is why special care should be taken when growing adenium. All manipulations with any parts of this plant should be performed with rubber gloves. In houses where there are children and pets, it is necessary to completely block their access to adenium.
Soil composition
Well-permeable soil is most suitable for growing adenium. It should not have peat. The content in the mixture of coarse sand (fraction up to 3 mm) should be minimal. Also in an earthen coma, very fine sand is unacceptable, which often leads to "cementation" of the soil, which adversely affects the plant. Florists recommend using ordinary leafy earth (from birch, linden or hazel) for adenium. For adult plants (more than 3 years), 30-60% of fine expanded clay or brick crumbs (about 3-5 mm) are introduced into the soil mixture.
Choosing a plant container
Adenium, the planting and care of which plays a key role in the development of the flower, feels great in both ceramic and plastic dishes. The main rule when choosing it is to match the size of a particular plant. Young plants feel better in deep pots. For growing adeniums, dishes are selected whose height is equal to the diameter of the top of the circumference of the container. This is due to the fact that the growing central root gives lateral branches in different directions. In a mature plant, “axillary” processes from the trunk grow, which spread very well in the surface layer. For plants planted in small pots, good drainage is required.
Trimming, pinching adeniums
Pinching seedlings is carried out to obtain branching of the plant, which begins after 1.5-2 months after this procedure. Remove the apex of small adenium during the period of intensive growth. At the same time, pruning of adult plants is also carried out. Thus, not only the branching of the adenium is achieved, but also its rejuvenation. Root cutting is performed during plant transplantation (young - 1-2 times a year; old - 1 time in 2 years).
Adenium Pests
In our conditions, this plant has virtually no pests. The real threat to the adenium is only the scabbard and spider mite, parasitizing on its leaves. In this case, the grower should not despair, since the adenium drops leaves in the fall - and if the plant is properly treated with special preparations against pests (intexicides), these pests will no longer appear.
Adenium is fat
Caring for this plant is practically no different from other types of adeniums. This flower is best hybridized. There are a number of different crossing lines. These plants are very different from other counterparts in the shape of a flower, leaves and even a trunk.