What would cause the new leaves on this Adenium to be deformed? I've checked carefully with a lens and can see no insects. This was a rescued plant from the left for dead rack at Lowe's about a month ago but these leaves emerged since I have owned it.

Hi Alice, I just asked you on another thread whether you grew adeniums. :biggrin:

Is your tree situated in a spot that gets direct sunlight all day long? In my experience, the curling of my plants' new leaves is in response to several days of hot direct sun.

Kadie

All my plants are in off and on direct sun. It just depends on the angle of the sun and the trees. Of course, my plants are tiny compared to yours. I do know that on other plants I have, leaf curl will often occur when the root ball gets completely dry. Some plants do best with constantly moist (not sopping wet) potting soil.

Interesting, it may be the sun. It was in a more filtered location and I did move it out to get rain. The discoloration suggests something nutritional to me but, unless it was under or overfed at Lowe's that should not be an issue now.

I don't think it is a watering issue.

Perhaps Kadie, Rick, or Ursula will know, Alice. I know nothing...........nothing about Adeniums.

I would say it is a combination light/water issue, Adeniums like as much full sun it can get when it is awake, and quite thirsty too. It is one of my plants that I have no problem when we are in extreme heat conditions. It thrives in all the light and heat it can get, just have to water the root zone and caudex often as well during those very hot days.

ardesia said:Interesting, it may be the sun. It was in a more filtered location and I did move it out to get rain. The discoloration suggests something nutritional to me but, unless it was under or overfed at Lowe's that should not be an issue now.

I don't think it is a watering issue.

I noticed the discoloration too, and also thought the same things you did. That's why I didn't mention it before. As you said...it should not be an issue now...[in your care].

Well, like Tony Avant says, you are never a gardener until you have killed a plant at least 3 times That makes me a very good, excellent actually, gardener.

Tell me about it, Alice. I have managed to kill my fair share over the last four decades. We learn more from our mistakes than from out successes.

Oh boy, I must be a genius.

Years ago I taught a MG class on pruning grape vines and demonstrated it on a cold winter day. This would spur new growth on the vines come spring. Pruning them in the summer when their sap was high would result in them bleeding to death. Guess when I decided to clear out some wild grape vines on our property. Winter! I did it then because there were fewer bugs and brush to wade through. DUH, they were so rampant the following summer I could have started a winery. Oh yeah, then I remembered when it was really supposed to be done. Genius.

So...not only am I an excellent gardener per Tony Avant, but I am also a genius per you, Alice.

hi, i have a few adeniums myself that are doing the same thing, i haven't worried to much as they are growing in leaps and bounds, i have about 100 1 year olds and it seems to happen to the ones with the same shaped leaves, they are supposed to be the same plants but some have long thin leaves and others have nice chubby leaves.