Adenium: home care. Content, Growth and Reproduction

As soon as this wonderful plant is named: rose of deserts, star of Sabinia, impala lily ... In fact, representatives of this genus are called adenium. Care at home for this representative of succulents, which is a beautifully flowering compact tree, is not difficult, and its decorative appearance can compete with many indoor plants.

General information

Adenium is the representative of the extensive family of Courts. There are several species of these shrubby or tree-like succulents. Until now, all its types are not fully systematized. Despite this, breeders of different countries have been working for many years on the development of new varieties of plants that simply infect the growers with their beautiful flowers and graceful forms. Quite decorative are even non-flowering adeniums. Their huge oil-olive leaves (sometimes variegated), located on thickened branches, look great in any interior. Adenium, home care behind which strongly affects the general appearance of the plant, is the so-called "caudisiform" (forms a large thickening of the trunk at the bottom 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 distinguished by excellent survival, even in the most extreme conditions of the desert. They are not afraid of scorching sun and lack of water. Sometimes very impressive specimens can be found even on stony ground, where other plants simply do not survive. Flower adenium, care of which at home in most cases reduces to simple watering, it feels great in the conditions of the tropics. In this case, the plants growing there, differ from their deserted brethren only by the number of flowers and the thickness of the trunk. In other words, the more moisture the plant receives, the more impressive its dimensions. In 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 somewhat from each other by their morphological features. Thus, the following adeniums are distinguished: obesum, swazicum, oleifolium, Arabicum, somalense, socotranum, multiflorum.

Adenium: care and maintenance in the apartment

"Domestication" of this plant began relatively recently. In the CIS countries, even some well-known amateur flower growers still do not know what Adenium is. Care and cultivation of this succulent have become very popular in the countries of Southeast Asia, from which most seed and planting material is now supplied. Of particular interest to breeders is the hybrid adenium. Care at home for such a plant is very simple. However, its ability to cross different varieties is simply amazing. It is thanks to this property of adenium that in just a few years dozens of beautiful specimens were obtained, which are the pride of breeders. Florists of Thailand and Taiwan were able to create plants with a variety of color and shape of flowers. So, their shades differ from white to almost black. The shape of the flower can be either a simple five-petal, or a double-leafed one (very similar to a rose). This plant looks most effective, formed in the form of a large bonsai. Adeniums are very responsive to fertilizers. They are best suited to complex additives containing an equal ratio of phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium. Fertilize the plant in small doses, but often. In winter (the period of rest) adenium, care at home during which at this time reduces only to watering, resets its foliage almost completely. Sometimes this phenomenon is observed during the growth of the trunk (caudex) and after flowering. This plant dies when the temperature drops below 6 ° C.

Features of the plant

Thickening on the trunk (caudex) makes this flower look like an old bonsai, although its impressive size can be achieved in just a few years. It is not necessary to buy an adult plant. Even an aspiring florist who knows only the basics of growing plants can get a wonderful adenium. Care and reproduction of this flower is not too complicated. In this case, plants grown from seeds or from the apical cuttings, have almost the same caudex. Propagate adenium in the spring. Experienced florists receive new specimens by airlifting and grafting onto the oleander. Water this succulent as the soil dries. In very hot days it can be moistened daily. In this case, it should be remembered that in the summer (during flowering and active growth) the drying of the earth coma is undesirable. In winter, watering is reduced to 2-3 times a week. It should be remembered that with a strong limitation of water in the cold season, abundant spring watering can lead to rapid decay of the caudex.

Blooming Adenium

This plant is especially beautiful in the flowering period. It depends on the number of sunny days and air temperature. Most often in the room conditions from May to September pleases the blossoming adenium. Care at home for this succulent allows you to extend the nature of the period of budding. This is achieved by creating additional lighting and keeping the room at a temperature of 24-25 ° C. Adenium requires maximum illumination in all periods of the year.

Features of succulent

Like many other flowering plants, this succulent has a rather toxic juice. That is why when you grow adenium, you should be extra careful. All manipulations with any parts of this plant should be performed in rubber gloves. In homes where there are children and pets, they must completely cut off their access to adenium.

Composition of soil mixture

A well-permeable soil is most suitable for growing adenium. It should not contain peat. The content in a mixture of coarse sand (fraction up to 3 mm) should be minimal. Also in the earthen coma very fine sand is not allowed, which often leads to "cementing" the soil, which adversely affects the plant. Florists recommend to use for adenium ordinary leafy earth (from birch, lime or hazel). For adult plants (more than 3 years), 30-60% of fine expanded clay or crumbs of bricks (about 3-5 mm) are introduced into the soil mix.

Choosing a container for a plant

Adenium, planting and caring for which play a key role in the development of the flower, feels great both in ceramic and plastic vessels. The main rule in choosing it is the correspondence to the size of a particular plant. Young plants feel better in deep pots. Growing adeniums pick up dishes, the height of which 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. The mature plant grows "axillary" shoots from the trunk, which perfectly spread in the surface layer. For plants planted in small pots, good drainage is required.

Pruning, pinching adeniums

Prischipku sprouts spend to get the branching of the plant, which begins 1.5-2 months after this procedure. Remove the tip of a small adenium during a period of intense growth. At the same time, and pruning adult plants. Thus, not only the branching of the adenium is attained, but also its rejuvenation. Root cutting is performed during plant transplantation (young - 1-2 times a year, old - 1 time in 2 years).

Adenoma pests

In our conditions, this plant has practically no pests. The real threat to adenium is only the scab and spider mite parasitizing on its leaves. In this case, the flower grower should not despair, since Adenium drops leaves in the fall - and with proper processing of the plant, these pests will no longer appear with special preparations against pests (with intecicides).

Adenium is obese

Care of this plant practically does not differ from other types of adeniums. This flower is best suited for hybridization. There are a number of different lines of crossing. These plants are very different from other counterparts in the form of a flower, leaves and even a trunk.