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Jul 20, 2015 1:45 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: KadieD
Oceania, Mariana Islands (Zone 11b)
Wet Tropical AHS Zone 12
Adeniums Tropicals Morning Glories Container Gardener Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
Dog Lover Cat Lover Bee Lover Vegetable Grower Butterflies Permaculture
The following is a record of my first adventure into growing adeniums from seed. I live in a wet tropical climate where the average yearly temperature is 81 F, average yearly rainfall is 110", and my plants are grown outdoors.
July 25, 2014: A. obesum seeds planted in community trays.
Sep. 12: Transplanted seedlings into 4" pots when had 5 true leaves. Some had tap root cut and terminal apex snipped for experimentation.
October 1:
Thumb of 2015-07-20/BabyK/dff5e2

Nov. 8: Some DRs up-potted to 5" pots.
Dec. 14:
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Feb. 18, 2015: Some DRs up-potted to 6" pots.
Thumb of 2015-07-20/BabyK/657e24

Mar. 10:
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Mar. 10: Some DRs up-potted to 8" panterra bowls for experimental bonsai training.
Thumb of 2015-07-20/BabyK/7adcab

April 12: Results of tap root cutting:
Thumb of 2015-07-20/BabyK/491471
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April 14: First bloom. Tap root was not cut.
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May 2: Second bloom. Tap root was not cut.
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May 22: More adeniums potted-up.
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June 27: My most compact adenium. "Chubbs"
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June 29:


**************

July 9, 2015: Started a new adventure...A. arabicum and Thai Soco.
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Last edited by BabyK Jul 20, 2015 2:18 PM Icon for preview
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Jul 20, 2015 4:11 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: KadieD
Oceania, Mariana Islands (Zone 11b)
Wet Tropical AHS Zone 12
Adeniums Tropicals Morning Glories Container Gardener Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
Dog Lover Cat Lover Bee Lover Vegetable Grower Butterflies Permaculture
There were a few DRs that had roots "cropped" when 5 mos. old. Main roots were cut off but leaving a radius of feeder roots at the base of the caudex (above the cut).
Thumb of 2015-07-20/BabyK/b9b8a1

Here are a couple of results...picture was taken today.
Thumb of 2015-07-20/BabyK/4ff48c
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Jul 20, 2015 6:27 PM CST
Name: Rick
Vancouver Island, Canada (Zone 8a)
Adeniums Seed Starter Plumerias Peonies Native Plants and Wildflowers Hibiscus
Dog Lover Container Gardener Region: Canadian Cactus and Succulents Brugmansias Tropicals
Kadie, Those are so spectacular. You know, you are getting the same look/style that many of the Thai people are getting with the roots around the outside edge of the caudex. This is what they would do and raise with time.
You cut off the central roots from inside and left the perimeter roots on?
Wonderful plants. I need some more ideas.

Rick
"Many times a day I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of my fellow men, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I received"
Last edited by RCanada Jul 20, 2015 10:09 PM Icon for preview
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Jul 20, 2015 7:06 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: KadieD
Oceania, Mariana Islands (Zone 11b)
Wet Tropical AHS Zone 12
Adeniums Tropicals Morning Glories Container Gardener Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
Dog Lover Cat Lover Bee Lover Vegetable Grower Butterflies Permaculture
Thanks, Rick. I get a lot of my ideas from youtube. Leaving the fine feeder roots at the perimeter was my idea...usually all the roots are sliced off. With the exception of the A. arabicum and Thai Soco seedlings, none of the plants above are a year old, but will be on/about Aug. 1.
Last edited by BabyK Jul 23, 2015 10:19 AM Icon for preview
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Aug 12, 2015 8:56 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: KadieD
Oceania, Mariana Islands (Zone 11b)
Wet Tropical AHS Zone 12
Adeniums Tropicals Morning Glories Container Gardener Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
Dog Lover Cat Lover Bee Lover Vegetable Grower Butterflies Permaculture
July 4: A tropical storm was forecasted to hit us so I placed all my adeniums on the ground under cover of their platform. Wouldn't you know it...slugs ate the bark of some of my trees. Grumbling Crying Sighing!
August 12: Unpotted this one year old as it was growing out of its 8" panterra bowl.
Thumb of 2015-08-12/BabyK/371ccb
I am hoping that with time the scarred trunk due to slugs will look "aged."


Thumb of 2015-08-12/BabyK/f8be3e

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Thumb of 2015-08-12/BabyK/c7c8e8
Trimmed the roots, pruned the branches, and defoliated somewhat. Will dry for a week or so. This will be the first tree for bonsai soil (gritty mix). What! No akadama nor pumice on island? Shoot...looks like it will be turface, chicken grit, and pine bark (if it's available). Sighing!
Last edited by BabyK Aug 12, 2015 10:07 AM Icon for preview
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Aug 12, 2015 11:12 AM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
You are doing a very interesting project, Kadie. It is a shame slugs got to your plants, but as you say, the damage may end up adding "character" to the adeniums.
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
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Aug 12, 2015 11:35 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: KadieD
Oceania, Mariana Islands (Zone 11b)
Wet Tropical AHS Zone 12
Adeniums Tropicals Morning Glories Container Gardener Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
Dog Lover Cat Lover Bee Lover Vegetable Grower Butterflies Permaculture
Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Yes! As we age, we hope to get some redeeming "character." Ken, you're so funny even if you don't mean to be?
Last edited by BabyK Aug 12, 2015 11:47 AM Icon for preview
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Aug 12, 2015 11:58 AM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
I guess I missed my calling...........comedian. Whistling
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
Image
Aug 13, 2015 2:22 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: KadieD
Oceania, Mariana Islands (Zone 11b)
Wet Tropical AHS Zone 12
Adeniums Tropicals Morning Glories Container Gardener Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
Dog Lover Cat Lover Bee Lover Vegetable Grower Butterflies Permaculture
Finally!!! Hurray! Found info about bonsai mixes and how to prepare...that was to the point and not at all confusing (for me, at least)! I had still been having reservations about using chicken grit in a bonsai mix and binged about it...came across this site: http://columbusbonsai.org/cont...
Some will say, "Yes, I knew that." But for me, after countless hours of research on the internet and reading various forums, I would only come away with more questions.
So...glad to share this link for anyone who, like me, is just now venturing into "bonsai." nodding
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Aug 22, 2015 11:07 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: KadieD
Oceania, Mariana Islands (Zone 11b)
Wet Tropical AHS Zone 12
Adeniums Tropicals Morning Glories Container Gardener Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
Dog Lover Cat Lover Bee Lover Vegetable Grower Butterflies Permaculture
July 23, at 2.5 weeks old, caudex was buried on 3 Thai soco’s and 1 Crispum x arabicum. The objective of this experiment was to see if the caudex would grow fatter than the others. Perlite and cut water bottles were used. As they grew taller, more perlite was added.
Thumb of 2015-08-23/BabyK/2459ef

Aug. 23, at 7 weeks old, caudex was "unearthed," perlite and water bottles removed.
Thumb of 2015-08-23/BabyK/8b830b

Thumb of 2015-08-23/BabyK/579d2a

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Thumb of 2015-08-23/BabyK/507a5d
Results: Caudex did not grow fatter, and in fact, was skinnier than others. One of the Thai soco’s and the 1 Crispum x arabicum are dying from rot due to excessive rains.

Another experiment on the remaining Thai soco's will be conducted in about a week.

@RCanada, I will try not to kill any more of your Thai soco's! Sad The one remaining Crispum x arabicum is fatter than the soco's. Hurray!
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Aug 23, 2015 6:33 AM CST
Name: Rick
Vancouver Island, Canada (Zone 8a)
Adeniums Seed Starter Plumerias Peonies Native Plants and Wildflowers Hibiscus
Dog Lover Container Gardener Region: Canadian Cactus and Succulents Brugmansias Tropicals
Katie,
I have seen this done once before and I was curious to see results, but at the same time I was dubious as to the prognosis. These are things that are good to try, as it is the only true way we will find out the answers.
My thoughts at the time where that it was going to be like pulling dirt up around celery or asparagus which blanches (turning white) them due to lack of sun/chlorophyll. Which in turn it seems to be the case.
My experience with the Arabicums is that the upper portion above soil (caudex) grows horizontally across. Which is noted and documented by the many experienced growers of these. The ones I have watched grow, when unearthed have a vacant area (more so on older plants) directly below and roots radiate out from edge of caudex.

One thing I have been toying with is the potting up of my obesum, obesum x's. Trying to see if I can encourage them to grow very wide root systems, rather then long roots. So when they get raised they have a 'up side down "V" shape'. This is my preference for overall finished shape of tree when maturing. I do not favor the " Beach Ball on a straw" shape. Just my own preference.
Rick
"Many times a day I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of my fellow men, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I received"
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Aug 23, 2015 12:04 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: KadieD
Oceania, Mariana Islands (Zone 11b)
Wet Tropical AHS Zone 12
Adeniums Tropicals Morning Glories Container Gardener Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
Dog Lover Cat Lover Bee Lover Vegetable Grower Butterflies Permaculture
Rick,

I like the upside down V shape also (八) with a mushroom-shaped canopy on top (︵) for my obesums.

I had toyed around with the idea of raising and elongating the tap root of some of my obesums, but I think this is better done with A. somalense? Is this the shape you are referring to as beach ball-on-a-straw? Or is this something else entirely?

Kadie
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Aug 23, 2015 4:04 PM CST
Name: Rick
Vancouver Island, Canada (Zone 8a)
Adeniums Seed Starter Plumerias Peonies Native Plants and Wildflowers Hibiscus
Dog Lover Container Gardener Region: Canadian Cactus and Succulents Brugmansias Tropicals
No, what I referring to ( I did not give a great explanation). I have had some obesums grow a bulbous base and raised them. Underneath it was narrower and when raised it looked like a
ball on a narrow pedestal. Just not my preference.
Anucha from Thailand had posted some photos of tall pole shaped Caudex's (tree form). I believe you are correct that the Somalense's would be a good one for this with their natural growth habit.
I almost wonder if you could grow the root inside a cylinder like a straw, tube or something and use larger ones as it grows. Not sure if this would work. Somehow the root would have to be able to thicken and grow thicker at the base and slightly narrower towards the top.
Rick
"Many times a day I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of my fellow men, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I received"
Image
Aug 23, 2015 5:12 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: KadieD
Oceania, Mariana Islands (Zone 11b)
Wet Tropical AHS Zone 12
Adeniums Tropicals Morning Glories Container Gardener Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
Dog Lover Cat Lover Bee Lover Vegetable Grower Butterflies Permaculture
Rick, thank you very much for clarifying. I do not have A. somalense and will not try to elongate roots of A. obesum...certainly would be good to experiment, but for me, too much manipulation and work. @drdawg, would you care to try?
Kadie
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Sep 21, 2015 10:22 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: KadieD
Oceania, Mariana Islands (Zone 11b)
Wet Tropical AHS Zone 12
Adeniums Tropicals Morning Glories Container Gardener Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
Dog Lover Cat Lover Bee Lover Vegetable Grower Butterflies Permaculture
Sep. 21
At 11 weeks old, these arabicums are overdue for transplanting.
Thumb of 2015-09-21/BabyK/419012
The two in front are crispum x arabicum, the rest are Thai socotranum.
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Sep 21, 2015 12:40 PM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
KD, how do you know when to transplant and what do you transplant them to? Will you plant them at the same stem-level as they are growing now?

Here are pictures of a handful of mine. The largest, the one in the middle back row and in the second picture, is almost 5" tall and the smallest is around 3" tall. What causes this pink blush of the stem on some of my plants? Should I transplant the larger ones or are they fine for a while? It looks like my plants have two leaf forms. One is round and one is pointed. I know some of mine are obesium (@Ursula). Do I have two varieties here? Do I leave those small lower leaves that are growing on some of my plants?

Thumb of 2015-09-21/drdawg/550731 Thumb of 2015-09-21/drdawg/288c50 round leaf tips


Thumb of 2015-09-21/drdawg/71cf51 Thumb of 2015-09-21/drdawg/9747e8 pointed leaf tips
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
Image
Sep 21, 2015 1:17 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: KadieD
Oceania, Mariana Islands (Zone 11b)
Wet Tropical AHS Zone 12
Adeniums Tropicals Morning Glories Container Gardener Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
Dog Lover Cat Lover Bee Lover Vegetable Grower Butterflies Permaculture
Ken, in my post above I showed "arabicums" that I need to transplant to begin root training.

Your obesums above are perfectly fine and doing well so there is no need to transplant at this time. I would suggest, however, that the terminal apex be nipped so as to make the tree branch out. More branches, more flowers, plus the caudex will grow fat quicker. When the caudex nearly touches the pot rim, then it's time to transplant.

As you may know, seeds rarely take on all the characteristics of the mother plant of obesums. They have been cross cultivated with other subspecies. My obesums have different leaf forms, colors and textures. And the caudexes have different colors and textures also; I had/have some that were pinkish then turned into a green, grey, or brown color. These variations are perfectly normal for obesums. Allow the lower leaves to fall off on their own...there is no need to remove.

Note: The information given here is based on my own experiences with obesums.
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Sep 21, 2015 2:32 PM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
That's what I depend on, KD, one's personal experiences in growing a particular plant. That's what makes ATP so wonderful. Lots of experiences. Thank You!

I will do some "nipping" tomorrow.
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
Image
Sep 21, 2015 3:14 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: KadieD
Oceania, Mariana Islands (Zone 11b)
Wet Tropical AHS Zone 12
Adeniums Tropicals Morning Glories Container Gardener Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
Dog Lover Cat Lover Bee Lover Vegetable Grower Butterflies Permaculture
You're Welcome! Ken. Glad to be of help.

Last year when I nipped I did not sprinkle the cut with cinnamon and they grew fine. However, this year I am doing this to the seedlings just to be on the safe side...our weather has been fluctuating a lot lately.

And Thank You! for your generous gift! Big Grin
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Sep 21, 2015 3:42 PM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
I use cinnamon all the time when I divide/cut my orchids. I have never used it on any other plant though. When I root plumeria cuttings or air-layer plants, the rooting hormone has a fungicide/bactericide, so cinnamon is not necessary.
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.

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