I'm posting a picture of one of my adeniums, which I took a few days ago. The damage to the caudex happened early last year. I suddenly noticed a lot of ants and by the time I cleared them out of the pot (mostly with cinnamon), the damage had been done. I thought the plant would die; but it hasn't and it's sprouting new leaves right now (mine are left outside and only covered if there's a chance of frost). The damaged part looks so awful, of course. So, should I just leave it; take it out of the pot and try to clean it up more (ants are long gone), or just take cuttings and ditch the rest ?

I'd leave it alone. It has character...

Dutchlady1 said:I'd leave it alone. It has character...

I agree, it is something to talk about, they are amazing plants for their recovery and still look very interesting.

Well, ladies; I'm all about my plants having character. Thanks.

I totally agree... If the plant has the "will to live" let it be!!! Make sure it's stable and won't fall over then give it a chance. If it looks like it won't survive... then make cuttings etc ...

I would find it an unglazed pot. Pots that cannot 'breathe' rot plants easily. I like it, also. I would spray, water, the caudex and rootlets every time I watered or fertilized.

Nice plant!

I think it looks interestingly pretty! Like new little caves by its caudex. Cinnamon was a good call! Ants hate that..it clogs their sense of smell.

I saw an article recently that cut the whole bottom of the caudex off roots and all and let it heal over dusted it with fungicide and replanted it. It had no roots just the upper part of the caudex was left and cut flat across on the bottom and it started growing again.

Asians do that regularly with their plants. Generally arabicum, the type from Arabia that have a bigger caudex, and only pink blooms.. I've been wanting to do it with an obesum, our floweredy plants...