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Avatar for Stuart123
Jan 1, 2023 3:06 AM CST
Thread OP

I have recently moved to England from Florida and was missing my desert rose so bought a new small plant here, as the weather is colder I bought a plant lite to keep it happy through the winter (indoors) my question is when should I trim the branches as they are getting a bit leggy, I plan to keep this as an indoor plant mainly but don't want to trim it at the wrong time.
Thanks

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Jan 2, 2023 3:20 PM CST
Name: James
North Louisiana (Zone 8b)
Adeniums Cactus and Succulents Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Growing under artificial light Ferns Garden Photography
Region: Louisiana Region: Gulf Coast Enjoys or suffers hot summers Critters Allowed Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Container Gardener
I would leave the branches alone until next spring ....pruned now, the plant may or may not sprout new branches until spring

typically, adenium are in dormancy now - where growth nearly stops .. leaves yellow and fall off ....during dormancy watering is not necessary - and any water, can cause root rot, and will kill the plant

place in a south facing window (east or west facing windows are okay) for the duration of winter... when spring / summer arrives - place outside where plant will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight

never let adenium sit in water ...and never expose plant freezing conditions

when spring returns - prune limbs by about 1/2 ..... new stems - from 1 to 5 - will emerge .... this will result in many new stem tips and will give you more flowers ...
pinch out any new leaves that shade or crowd-out other stems ...as shaded stems may die out if shaded too long

your potting mix is going hold too much water anytime the plant is watered ....
I suggest you pull the plant from the pot .....knock off all potting mix .... place about 1" of rocks in bottom of pot .....then using *some* your old potting mix - add: sand, more rocks, lump charcoal, conifer bark - or - a bag of orchid mix
the new potting mix will not retain water and will drain quickly
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Jan 3, 2023 7:34 PM CST
Name: Gigi AdeniumPlumeria
Florida (Zone 9b)
Adeniums Roses Plumerias Orchids Miniature Gardening Hibiscus
Region: Florida Container Gardener Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents Butterflies Garden Ideas: Level 1
Welcome! @Stuart123 I agree with James wait until spring. And if that is your only one you can try to grow the cuttings so you have backups.

Cuttings won't develop a caudex but the provide blooms and you can hand pollinate the blooms so it will produce seedpods for you and you can have your own supply of baby adeniums.
©by Gigi Adenium Plumeria "Gardening is my favorite pastime. I grow whatever plant that catches my attention. I also enjoy hand pollinating desert roses.”
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Jan 5, 2023 11:06 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
I agree...wait patiently for Spring. Your plant is undergoing a lot right now..could be heading to dormancy, as it acclimates to your new location.

Yes, that potting mix looks way too water retentive. You have to add more pumice or perlite to it.

Inspect the leaves from time to time, especially behind each leaf, sometimes there are creepy crawlies sucking the life out of them, making it curl. I typically use cotton swab with alcohol to remove those.
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