Adenium socotranum Desert Rose

Descripción

Adenium socotranum desert rose (This plant comes in a 3.5" pot. You will receive a very similar plant to the one in the picture. It may or may not be blooming at the time of your purchase. The plant is shipped in its pot to prevent any damage to the roots). By far one of the most rare and desirable of all succulents it forms in age more of a bush than a small tree (like a dwarf baobab)Flowers: Pale to bright pink 10-13 cm in diameter. Very rarely seen flowered in collection.Cultivation: Needs lots of light and fresh air. It will be an indoor bonsai in all but the warmest climates. Keep in a bright location in winter (minimum temperature 10 C). However, in the winter, keeping it cool gives the plant a needed rest. In summer, if possible, move outdoors to a sunny or partly shaded location. Needs little water during winter, especially when kept cool. Increase water during growing and blooming periods. The total watering needed is similar to other succulents, and it will lose leaves if overwatered. Feed monthly during spring and summer with liquid bonsai fertilizer. It has a large caudex with few short thin branches and do not need a heavy pruning after the plant's rest period as requested by other species. Eventually pruning should be kept to a minimum. The sap is poisonous, so clean hands after pruning, and avoid getting sap into open wounds.Re potting: Root prune and re pot every two years, after the winter rest period, in a mix of 2 parts bonsai soil, 2 parts peat, and one part sand. Can tolerate being pot-bound.Origin: Endemic from from the isolated island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean south of the Arabian peninsula and east of the Horn of Africa Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz