This is an article about grafted desert rose plants growing in the ground. Its a expanded response we sent to a client who is having a problem with one of her adenium plants.
Questions: I have two hybrid grafted desert rose adeniums plants from Adeniumrose Company LLC (that’s us!). One is doing great (tons of flowers) and the other having a problem – all the leaves fell off and no new growth. I planted them both the same time directly in the ground. I believe they are draining water well. What went wrong? P.S. I just pulled up the one desert rose plant having problems and it has root rot!
Grafted Desert Rose How To Growing in Ground
Answer: First thing, if one grafted desert rose plant has rot then you need to monitor the other hybrid desert rose closely since its in the same environment. 95% of our client do not grow them directly in the grown. All adenium plants grow at different speeds especially when grow in the ground.
Most clients who grow their grafted desert rose plants in the ground use the pot method. Use a terracotta pot (it breaths) with the bottom 1/3 fill with non porous rock rocks. On top of the rocks use a cloth to keep the soil from filtering down onto the rocks. Then plant the pot in the ground on top of 4″ of non-porous rock.
The key is great drainage to prevent rot during the heavy rainy seasons! Root rot is the number one problem when growing in the ground. The second is nutrients in the soil being depleted.
Put the pot all the way in the ground except for the top 1.5″. Leaving a bit above the ground gives you better fertilizing control and the ability to easily remove the plant with the pot in the future.
Pot Size to Use For In Ground Growing
Adenium plants do not like large open spaces. They prefer cramped quarters. when selecting a pot to use in the ground for you grafted desert rose plant it has to be porous. The size (ground growing pot) should exceed the width of the plants caudex by 2 inches but not more than 3 inches. Use a deeper pot to allow 2″ of root growth downward before reaching the rocks.
Make sure the pot has holes in the bottom! Use a rocks to protect the hole from being clogged. More than one hole or large holes are better!
Climate Zones and Fertilizing For In Ground Growing
It’ important to remember to add time release fertilizer in the soil when potting the grafted desert rose plant. During the rainy season add more every three months and give the plant a boost of Dyna-Gro Grow micro nutrients every other month.
Do not grow your adeniums in the ground unless you are in the right climate zone 9-10. If your area gets below 50 degrees then you will need to bring in the plants when the weather changes to Fall/Winter to protect the desert rose plant from cold temperatures.