I've had this adenium for almost a year, and have really struggled with it! As soon as I brought it home, it dropped all of its many leaves and blooms. I re potted it into a fast draining "cactus/succlent" soil, mixed with pearlite, and charcoal. It rebounded and grew a bunch more leaves and I was quite pleased. Recently however, the leaves have started yellowing and dropping again, and I've noticed that blooms will seem to start, and then they'll dry up and drop off before they get very big. I have used an insect killing soap to get rid of mealy bugs, but I'm wondering if it might have some other disease? The bark in some spots is dry and damaged looking. I have included pictures, and appreciate any advice you can give! Thank you! -Laura

Laura. I have had this problem and it was damage from snails. You may want to keep an eye out....

The leaf and bloom drop are "normal" from moving stress.No harm done there.I agree with Hetty the the other damage is from some varmint.

I'd say snail, also. Maybe the potting mix is too acid, Adeniums like alkalinity.

Wow would you all believe it , I logged on this morning to ask about scaly white caudex bark and the same problem that LauraS is having lol. Coconut mentioned soil condition and I am wondering if that maybe the cause of mine? We have been experience drought condition here in Jamaica, and I find that my water supply has a lot of sediments that cause limescale in my bathroom shower walls. I have now installed filters on my pipes, do I have to re-pot to reduce the acidity of the soil or is there something I can use to neutralize the acid that will not damage the plants . Secondly what can I use to guard against slugs. The rainy season is here , and I find that the time slugs come out to play.

Sorry for the rambling but I love for my adeniums and dont want to see them get hurt. lol

Thanks

Thanks for the responses! Any suggestions for insecticides? (Preferably something natural) The spray I use says it kills a whole variety of insects, but not snails. I have never seen a snail in or around the pot. Are they usually very small?

In my neck of the woods snails and slugs usually move around at nights or after rain,

Crunched eggshells? You have to be careful with any chemicals, Adeniums dislike any kind of oil, or soap, in my experience. I have some snail damage, also. Takes forever to grow out!

Try putting a small saucer of beer near the plant, check it in the mornings and if you have snails or slugs they will show up in there. I have found they seem to prefer the cheapest beer sold, funny that