Adenium obesum – Single Star Mix

The Adenium obesum, commonly called the Desert Rose ( Adenium obesum ) is a striking addition to any garden or indoor collection. With their spectacular fat trunk (which must be where they get their name of ‘obesum’), their bonsai like appearance and a range of spectacular flowers … what’s not to love? Adenium are native to Africa and Arabia. Other common names for the Desert Rose are Mock Azalea, Impala Lily, Sabi Star & Kudu. Adenium obesum are best grown from seed, they can also be propagated by cuttings, however they don’t tend to get that nice fat trunk for many years this way, so it can be a bit of a waste of time. The variety available on this listing is a mix of ‘Single Star’ seeds – star shaped bi-colour flowers with a mix of types/colours. Please note: Adenium will not always grow true to colour of their parent plant. As a rough guide below are few statistics from a professional Adenium breeder on how often (%) a seed will grow true to the colour of the parent plant. Pink = 85%, White = 95%, Red = 95%, Stripe Lined = 70%, Dark Purple = 10%, Light Purple = 30%, Peach = 70%, Red lining with 5 petals = 20%, Yellow = 20%, White petal with red curving = 95%. Growth The Desert Rose is a succulent plant that can grow as tall as 3 metres! The leaves can grow up to 15 cm’s once full grown and they have a beautiful flower with 5 petals, similar in shape to a Frangipani flower. They are best known for their amazing bulbous trunk. This species can be grown in temperate to tropical regions but should be taken inside during in cooler climates when temperatures go below 10°C. Suitable as an indoor plant and as a beginner bonsai plant. It is semi-deciduous in cooler regions but will retain its leaves all year round in tropical climates. Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.   FAMILY: Apocynaceae CLIMATE: Temperate, Sub Tropical, Tropical TEMPERATURE RANGE: 10 to 45°C / 50 to 112°F SOIL TYPE: Soil must be well draining. A succulent cactus mix is best. LOCATION: Full Sun – Part Shade HEIGHT: Up to 3 metres (10 feet) WIDTH: Up to 1 metre (3 feet) pH: 5.5-6.5 GROWTH TYPE: Succulent. Perennial. Deciduous to Evergreen, depending on climate. WATER REQUIREMENTS: Light – Drought Tolerant POLLINATION: Wind, Insect or Hand Pollination. Bisexual – Flowers have both female and male organs. MATURITY: 12-18 months GERMINATION RATES: 89% GERMINATION TIME: 1-2 weeks in suitable conditions GERMINATION DIFFICULTY: Medium SEEDS PER GRAM: Approximately 100 MEDICINAL QUALITIES: No – The sap of this plant is toxic, so keep away from pets and small children WEED POTENTIAL: No EDIBLE: No SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY: Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 1-2 years.   FACTS ABOUT ADENIUM OBESUM (Desert Rose) Although a very common name for this species is the Desert Rose, it is not a Rose or a relation to Roses. Adeniums are great for beginner bonsai growers and commonly used for this purpose. Desert Rose are NOT edible and can be toxic if eaten.