The desert rose (adenium obesum) is a succulent caudiciform native to Africa.Adeniums can reach 10 feet in height with a trunk (caudex ) over 4 feet wide, though most average 4 -5 feet tall in cultivation.Contrary to popular belief adeniums grow much better when treated like tropical plants rather than desert plants as the common name suggests.

We recommend growing adeniums in a very fast draining mix using peat and adding 10-15 percent of either crushed pine bark,perlite or coarse builders sand or a mix of all three. During summer months adeniums grow best when treated like tropical plants meaning plenty of water and fertlizer.Soak the plants to the point water leaches from the bottom of the pot and then allow them to become almost completely dry which should be within 3 or 4 days .This watering routine is important  to keep fertilzer salts from building up since you will probably have this plant for many many years.

We like to repot our large prize specimens every 3 years or so with fresh soil because as the soil breaks down drainage decreases and roots become deprived of oxygen .As the roots become deprived of oxygen flowering decreases ,growth slows and plants become more prone to rot especially during winter months.Many growers like using organic fertilzers for adeniums and this can be great but I feel the organics cause the soil to break down more quickly.Here in Florida we recommend dynamite brand 13-13-13  slow release fertilizer because of it's higher quality and better long term results.High phosphorous bloom fertilizers are not needed for adeniums to bloom.The most common reason for your adenium not blooming is genetics.Good genetics is the most important factor effecting every aspect of and individual  adenium including growth rate ,flowering ,form and pest resistance .

Please join (yahoo adeniumUSA group) or (yahoo adenium group )to learn many more details about superior named varieties and general culture regarding this amazing plant.The groups have 1000's of members who share pictures and information from all over the world.

Today there are many growers offering seed but very few you can trust .The popularity of new cultivars and the fact that Adeniums do not grow true from seed and can often take up to two years to flower gives the dihonest growers a huge window of opportunity .Many of the dishonest sellers steal pictures and then simply send you seed from common pink adeniums or seed from less than desirable hybrids . Another important factor when deciding on growing your own adeniums from seed is that many of these hybrids do not do well on their own roots and may never grow in to the desert rose we all love having the most important swollen caudex and balanced canopy. More experienced growers have no problem to grow out a few thousand seed select what they desire and then graft on to better adenium obesum rootstock. Hybrids between the 11 or so species of adeniums are abound so there are many things to consider more than ever now.