Adenium

Adenium (Adenium) - slow-growing small trees or shrubs with thick trunks that have a thickening at the base, with numerous short branches, shiny or velvety leaves and large flowers from white to dark crimson. Representatives of this genus belong to the group of treelike stem succulents.

Adenium is an amazingly beautiful flower, popularly called the Impala Lily or the Rose of the Desert, and is also known to many under the name of the Star of Sabinia. Until recently, many gardeners did not know about this unusual plant, but now it is one of the most popular and demanded grown flowers. In addition, it is very easy to care for it, which does not require certain skills and skill from the amateur gardener.

At the moment, almost 50 species of adenium are known, which can reach a height of several meters in its natural environment. At home, flower growers grow obese Adenium. Someone may mistake this beautiful plant for a bonsai made by human hands. But this is not at all the case, because adenium grows into such an unusual and original plant that only nature can create, and man cannot keep up with nature.

The flowers of this beautiful plant are compared to the flowers of lilies and roses, many see more similarities with lilies. But we must not forget that everyone evaluates in their own way, and everyone has their own vision of the qualities.

Home care for adenium

Location and lighting

Adenium belongs to light-loving plants, so it is better to keep it on the windows on the south side of the house. But in the summer heat, the plant must be shaded, because despite the fact that he loves direct sunlight, they can burn his vulnerable spot - the trunk.

Temperature

Since adenium is a representative of the hot desert, our climate with a temperature of 25-30 degrees in summer is quite suitable for its cultivation. During this period, adenium will be able to decorate any garden plot, and in winter a state of rest ensues. The ideal temperature for a plant during the dormant period is from 10 to 15 degrees, since with more cooling of the earth, it can die.

Watering

Water adenium regularly with settled water, not too low temperature, and only after the soil dries up. Do not over-water the plant. If adenium hibernates in a warm room, without falling into a state of dormancy, then water it when the soil is completely dry. Otherwise, there is no need to water the plant. Watering can be re-irrigated only upon exiting the dormant state and at least on the tenth day after the first growth buds are found.

Air humidity

Adenium is unpretentious to air humidity conditions. But when it is actively growing, spraying its surface will not be superfluous. In this case, you should not touch the flowers in order to avoid the loss of their decorative qualities.

The soil

The soil for growing adenium should be breathable, loose, with an acidity close to neutral.Soil for adenium can be prepared with your own hands by mixing coarse sand with sheet and sod land in equal parts and with an admixture of charcoal. Crushed brick can be added to the substrate and more sod land can be taken if a sufficiently mature plant is transplanted. But if there is no time to prepare the mixture yourself, then ready-made soil mixture for cacti will do.

Top dressing and fertilizers

Both mineral and cactus fertilizers are suitable for feeding. The frequency of fertilization is once a month.

Transfer

Adult adeniums are transplanted when needed. It is enough to replant young plants once a year. The root system increases in width as it grows, not in length. Given this feature, you should choose a wide, but also shallow pot for the plant.In addition, it is advisable to take a pot that is not dark in color, so that the soil does not overheat once again in the scorching sun.

Pruning

Adenium is pruned in the spring when it begins to grow. Pruning is optional, but this procedure is necessary if there is a desire to turn the plant into something specific: in a tree (one trunk will turn out) or a bush (several trunks). In the first case, the adenium is cut off by no more than one third of the height, in the second, it must be cut even lower. And this applies to each of its branches. For young plants, one pinch is enough.

Reproduction of adenium

The breeding procedure for adeniums can seem daunting. But if you remember some of the nuances, then this task will be much easier.

Seed propagation

When propagating by seeds, only fresh seeds are taken, since they tend to quickly lose germination. The right time to sow them is from late winter to early spring. First, it is better to hold the seeds in the epin solution for 6 hours, and then sow them in a mixture of vermiculite and sand. And then in a week the adenium will give its first shoots.

Propagation by apical cuttings

Adenium can be propagated in spring and summer by apical cuttings; vermiculite or sand serve as a substrate. The stalk is cut into a length of 10-15 cm, then it must be treated with charcoal and dried. With normal humidity, the plant will take root in the first month, otherwise its cuttings will rot. It is necessary to maintain the temperature within 25-30 degrees and good lighting.

Propagation by air layers

Propagation by air layers is one of the easiest and most effective methods for both young and adult plants. Layering is best done in late spring or early summer, when adeniums begin to grow actively after winter dormancy. Young plants can bloom next year.

On a shoot with a thickness of at least 2 cm in diameter, a circular shallow incision is made with a knife, dried, and then treated with a horse stimulator. The incision is wrapped in sphagnum moss and wrapped in an opaque film (you can wrap it with thread or wire). Sphagnum is periodically moisturized. Roots usually appear in 3-4 weeks. After the roots appear, the layers are separated and planted in the ground.

This breeding method also has its drawbacks. The flower will not have pronounced decorative qualities, because the trunk will not turn out to be as thick as that of obese adenium.

Growing difficulties

In autumn, adenium leaves turn yellow and fall off, which can alert novice florists. But you should not worry, since this is a normal phenomenon for him, because at this time the plant enters a state of dormancy. In other seasons, the reasons for this may be too low a temperature, as a result of which it freezes, or a change in the usual conditions of detention.

Diseases and pests

Adenium is most often affected by mealybugs and scabies. All kinds of rot arising from excessive watering are also dangerous.

Important! And finally, it must be added that adenium belongs to poisonous plants, so it should be kept away from children and not placed in children's rooms, and after contact with it, thoroughly wash your hands and tools that worked with this plant.

Adenium - care and cultivation features (video)