One of the more frequent questions may beginners have is how to care for the adenium (desert rose) to create a bigger caudex (exposed root system). The image is a hybrid adenium triple flower that was grafted about 1 year ago. The graft is right below the last branch. You will not notice the graft line after a year due to the growth of the caudex. When you grow the desert rose adeniums select a pot that is wider than deep. This forces the root system to become exposed as it grows.
Think of a bonsai pot when growing your desert rose. They may be 12″ to 20″ wide but only a couple inches deep. As you grow the desert rose keep the plant confined into a pot with only 2 to 2.5″ to spare around it (‘2’ caudex use 4.5″ pot, 4″ caudex use 6″ pot). Notice when the person who cared for adenium repotted it (above) he exposed, move a larger root to the top of the soil to expand the exposed caudex area. At the same time he trimmed other roots that would have been exposed so the growth goes mostly to the exposed root caudex and to the lower roots
Growing and caring for desert roses, adeniums, is just like growing other succulents and cacti. Water once a week depending upon your climate in very porous soil and light fertilization if you are not growing in the ground. Desert rose growing and care can be grown in any region but they do need protection in cooler climates.
Image Grafted hybird Adenium Desert Rose tiple flower
