Flowering Desert Rose Plant
The flowering desert rose plant, or Adenium obesum, is a low-maintenance plant particularly suited to hot, dry climates. A native of east Africa, the desert rose plant is a succulent that is prized for its fleshy leaves and pink trumpet-shaped flowers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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As the scientific name obesum implies, desert rose plants are named for the large, fat base of the plant, as well as for their ideal growing conditions and rosy blooms. The base of the plant can grow to be large with several branches extending from it. The plant produces very showy flowers in shades of white, light pink and bright pink.
Uses
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Desert roses can be used as ornamental container plants indoors or outdoors, in rock gardens or in landscaping. They are also sometimes used as bonsai. They are a highly prized plant, particularly when their trunks are fully developed, and can be sold for upward of $1,000 for a mature plant with a lot of branches and flowers.
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Propagation
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Most growers in the U.S. use branch cuttings to propagate desert rose plants; however, they can be grown from seed. Growing desert rose plants from seeds has the added advantage of increasing the likelihood that the base will develop properly. Seeds gathered from the plants should be planted immediately for best results.
Planting Desert Roses
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Desert rose plants need specific conditions to grow well. For desert roses grown in containers, the first necessity is a small pot with good drainage. When planting them in the ground, choose soil that is well-drained and slightly acidic. Place both container plants and landscape plants in full sun to partial afternoon shade.
Watering and Fertilizing Desert Roses
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Desert roses are succulents, so if they are watered too often, the leaves will fall off and the plant will appear dead. The leaves also fall off during cooler weather, but in both instances the desert rose plant will rebound once its ideal growing conditions are restored. In most instances, normal rainfall will provide adequate moisture for the desert rose. In extremely dry conditions, add enough water to wet the soil and allow the soil to dry between waterings. Do not water if temperatures drop below 80 degrees.
Desert roses love food, so fertilize often for optimum growth and flowering with a pellet form of time-released fertilizer. The nitrogen content should be low; phosphorus should be the most plentiful ingredient. In addition to the time-released fertilizer, young plants should be fertilized with a complete liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the spring. When plants mature after two to three years, eliminate the liquid fertilizer and continue to fertilize with slow-release fertilizer according to the package instructions.
Desert Rose Pests
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Desert roses are hardy, disease- and pest-resistant plants, but they are sometimes plagued by aphids. Do not spray with chemicals; instead, wash the leaves with soapy water to remove the aphids and provide protection.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit desert rose image by Pat Lalli from Fotolia.com
