Adenium Obesum Flowering

Adenium obesum is also called the desert rose.

Adenium obesum, also called the desert rose, is indigenous to arid areas of central Africa. It is a succulent, grown for its often bizarrely shaped trunk and beautiful flowers.

Form

Adenium obesum blossoms form a narrow trumpet shape with five large petals that flare out dramatically. The flowers sprout from the tips of the plant's stems.

Color

The flowers of Adenium obesum range in color from pure white to light pinks, bright pinks, bright reds and deep reds. Some varieties have flowers that radiate from one color to another from the center of the flower outward, while others are largely one color with another trimming the margins of the petals.

Blooming Season

Adenium obesum plants usually bloom continuously in spring and summer with blossoms lasting for many weeks. New cultivars can bloom almost continuously when kept in optimal growing conditions.

Culture

A lot of light is essential to good blooming from an Adenium obesum. Many growers believe the plant will bloom better after a dry dormant period.

Pruning

The flowers of the Adenium obesum plant will form on the ends of the stems. Pruning to encourage multiple stems to grow will tend to produce more blossoms.

References

• University of Wisconsin Horticultural Department: Desert Rose