Month: March 2013

Question: I am interested in putting desert roses and crown of thorns in a narrow garden with aloe, figs and other drought tolerant plants.  It is between a pool cage and a fence and has filtered to full sun all day.  I live in Palm Harbor Florida) within a mile of the coast.  Is my area too risky for these plants?  I do not want to have them as houseplants, needing to be brought in during winter.  Thanks Megan

A:  If your aloe is doing great so will adeniums plants and crown thorn plants. Your area of Florida very rarely gets freezing weather for  more than a few days (usual just  few hours a couple times a year) . I would place the euphoria (crown of thorns) towards the back because they get taller. They all like sun and dislike cold. I highly recommend that you get the right soil for adeniums, crown of thorns and other succulent plants which means only 10% soil, 10% to 15% coir and the rest perlite/rocks. Make sure the rocks are non-porous to prevent root rot and moisture retention.

When using perlite put a layer of rock on top of the soil to keep the perlite from rising to the top when you water or when it rains. Do not use standard potting soil for the adenium desert rose plants or other succulents especially that close to the ocean! Standard potting soil will retain water and the salt in the air.

Q: Hello, I just took my Desert Rose plant out of a pot that it has been in for 6 years. I know you can imagine what I saw. Anyway, I never knew adeniums plants had to be “lifted. So here I am with all of these roots and they are so pretty. However I am on my way in a little while to get a pot and soil. You read a million soil recipes for adenium soil things so maybe the nursery will be able to help me. But my question is this . I have the plant on its side with it’s newly exposed roots wrapped in wet paper towels. Is that ok? Or what do I do? If I could find an email address for you on this site I would send a picture of these roots!!!!!!!  I will go get ready and maybe by then you will have replied. I hope so. I had talked with a man long years ago and he told me to re-pot this when it broke it’s pot. I live in Baton Rouge and went to a plant show and Nursery was there and I was terribly mistaken about re-potting. Thanks for reading this. Sandra

A: yes, it is wise to expose more  adenium plant roots about once a year in the south parts of the USA where we get plenty of life and good growth.  There are several articles on soil mixture and most nursery who do not specialize in cactus or succulent plants give the wrong advice about adenium plants. The main thing to remember when selecting or mixing your soil is it has to have excellent drainage for adenium plants to grow without problems.  Please search this site fro several articles on soil fro adenium plants.