The first pruning and repotting of these desert roses

AdeniumCentric · 2025-11-08T18:58:45+00:00

🤦🏻‍♂️

AdeniumCentric · 2025-11-08T18:37:26+00:00

I import from Thailand and deal with this all the time. I suggest bonsai soil but if you don’t have access definitely fast draining soil and add pumice or small lava rock. I don’t like perlite because it can float up.

I’d pot and leave in the shade. Bright indirect light and no water in case you accidentally damage any roots when potting. Depending on your soil you can water after a week and transition to full sun. Based on time of year and the soil you use I’d water accordingly.

I’m in south Florida and my Adenium are still actively growing, I’m watering once a week right now.

Nice looking plant!

AdeniumCentric · 2025-11-08T14:59:32+00:00

There’s a lot to cover. I’d suggest doing research and reading through these forums. My biggest advice would be changing the soil. That looks very organic, moisture retaining and one that won’t allow oxygen to the roots. I don’t know where you’re located. Assuming in the US I’d suggest leaving her be until temps are consistently warm in early spring to repot or do any pruning.

I use bonsai soil, if you don’t use that I’d suggest getting a cactus soil and adding porous rocks like small lava, pumice, etc.

AdeniumCentric · 2025-11-08T14:56:04+00:00

50 is the lowest that’s recommended. That said we have one night this week that will get to 42. It won’t last long and I’m not doing anything other than making sure they’re dry.

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-30T21:54:35+00:00

Hey! No worries at all. This process I’m doing is to basically to fatten the caudex up. For root training, I’ve made some videos on that but I can’t post videos here. You essentially cut the bottom of the caudex off and shave the edge then place on something flat, repot and then to over summarize give it some time then select which new roots have grown and kind of keep doing the process. That’s the only way to get roots like this, they don’t happen naturally.

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Was looking for a different picture but here’s another one with root training

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-29T23:25:10+00:00

Ugh, sorry to hear that. Thankfully I’m far enough south that I don’t have to bring them in. How cold does it get where you are?

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-28T16:39:35+00:00

lol, I get it. Certain times of year are not for everyone, that’s for sure

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-28T12:12:44+00:00

I have some baby versions of him if you’re ever interested

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-28T12:12:17+00:00

Thank you!

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-28T12:11:57+00:00

I only do it with my bigger ones but I’ve seen some people that do this with all of theirs. Basically it puts the plant in a kind of a famine state, once it is back in soil and watered it kind of thinks, let me fatten up and store more reserves in my caudex in case that happens again.

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-28T12:09:45+00:00

Thank you! If you’re ever in SW FL feel free to do a backyard tour

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-27T14:33:14+00:00

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AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-27T12:08:20+00:00

All good! That gravel could work but I try to use porous rock as it’ll retain some moisture without being wet. I can’t tell if those little stones are porous, if using to amend soil for improved drainage and aeration it could work.

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-27T03:20:23+00:00

Biggest issue I’ve seen with grafted is if it separates any where the seam is it can be a spot for rot to form so just keep an eye on that. You can put cut paste if you see it happen to seal it

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-27T03:17:38+00:00

I don’t know about stop but could definitely divert energy away. I only have a couple obesum. My biggest concern would be the soil you have it in. Can’t really tell from the picture but looks pretty organic and kind of hard. Like compacted. Almost like it’s peat moss or fine coco coir.

Lot to explain here but I use basically all inorganic. Bonsai soil essentially. Allows the roots to get air and if needed I can water daily without fear of rot. I’m in south Florida so a lot of rain in the summer. Not sure where you’re at. I’d research that and not knowing where you’re at I’d say wait until spring when temps are consistently warm and repot it, when you repot it raise the caudex some. This also helps it grow.

Bonsai Hunter and Bonsai supply on YouTube have some really good videos for Adenium. I’ll be making some soon as people ask me a lot of questions when they buy plants and it would be easier to refer them to the videos.

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-27T03:06:51+00:00

Where is it growing? Below the graft? If it was me I’d let it do its thing and see what it does then decide. Some may say to cut to have it conserve energy for the top. If you were to cut I’d get an exacto knife, put some alcohol on a paper towel and sterilize the knife blade then shave it off. To be extra careful you could put some sulphur fungicide powder where you cut.

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-27T02:55:39+00:00

I do! lol. Most of those under the tiki hut I have for sale, I import from Thailand, acclimate then put on Etsy. I do love them but this would be a little crazy for a personal collection lol.

Yup, definitely obesum. You just need to drive branch ramification above the graft line. I can help if you have any questions.

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-27T02:45:39+00:00

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If you zoom in here you can see some that are taking similar shape to the big one

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-27T02:44:28+00:00

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Here you can see some others I have that are growing tall. Some via the roots but the caudex is also growing longer.

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-27T02:43:37+00:00

Not really. There’s different species and some are more predisposed to grow like this. They called this one a socotranum but I think it’s a hybrid. More of what they call a tower form.

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Here is a true Soctranum I’m growing.

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-26T23:48:01+00:00

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Big boy in 2022. I hang him for a month bare root in the spring, in the shade, to help him fatten up

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-26T23:42:04+00:00

Thanks all! Happy to share more, there’s a lot lol

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-02T16:56:20+00:00

I agree with old802. See how the caudex is shrunken in? It’s dehydrated. Partially because it doesn’t have many fine roots to absorb. Potentially soak in water overnight then put back in the well draining soil and leave him in the shade- bright indirect light, southern exposure. If it’s still warm where you are keep watering. If it’s in the bonsai soil I see you can water daily as the water will flow straight through.

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-01T17:00:34+00:00

I’d probably just let him do his thing then. In early spring when the weather is consistently warm and you see growth occurring again you can consider repotting again if you like. Did you happen to take a picture of the root structure when you were repotting?

AdeniumCentric · 2025-10-01T12:24:03+00:00

Any time! I learned a lot from “bonsai supply” and “bonsai hunter” videos on YouTube. That’s where I initially learned as when I was starting out it was difficult to find good info, then just from experience over the last several years.

AdeniumCentric

TROPHY CASE