Category: Rare Unusual Plants

       Plant dormancy occurs with most succulents, cactus, tropical and other plants during winter months. In  addition, periods of drought and high temperatures will cause plant dormancy in many desert plants.  The image on the left shows a plant ibervillea lindeimeri coming out of dormancy. Notice the new vines emerging for the top of the plant.

    Plant dormancy is a period in an organism’s life cycle when growth and  development activity are temporarily stopped. The plant greatly reduces growth and defoliates – its metabolic activity slows down to conserve energy. Dormancy usually is closely related with environmental conditions such as shorter daylight, cooler weather, extreme heat and low water.

Watering During Plant Dormancy

       If you obtained a Cacti, succulent, or other plant during dormancy period please make sure you know what to do.  During dormancy plants drop their leaves (most of the time 100%) so your plant may arrive leafless.  During plant dormancy you need to reduce watering to prevent root problems and other issues.  The majority of plants, not all,  that go dormant still need to be watered  once a month.  Ibervillea lindeimeri in full growing mode – image to left.

Pruning Cropping Transplanting during Plant Dormancy

 

Dormancy is a great time to transplant plants into larger containers or refresh the soil.  During plant dormancy many types of plants that grow vines or canes are pruned.  Remember this is not the time to prune/crop some types of plants.

Here is a partial list of plants from AdeniumRose Company that go dormant:

• Adeniums – DO NOT crop / trim branches during dormancy. Depot during plant dormancy carefully. If you repot dip root hormone then wait 4 weeks to water. Crop branches after the plant flowers in spring. Remember do not cut below graft lines or you will lose your hybrid flower types! If a hybrid adenium (grafted plants) then always remove branches/limbs BELOW the graft lines to force growth of the grafted limbs.  93% of all hybrid adenium plants are grafted.
• Baobab Adansonia – Re-pot but DO NOT trim branches. New growth starts at the end of the branches.
• Christia Vespertilonis – Re-pot but DO Not trim branches.
• Dioscorea Elephantipes Mexicana – trim vines back and repot during dormancy. Water once every 2 months or not at all depending upon your growing environment.
• Flamboyant Plants – Trim branches and repot during this time.
• Ibervillea Lindheimeri – trim vines back and report during dormancy. leave 1′-2″ of the vine on the plant. Water once every 2 months or not at all depending upon your environment.
• Jatrophia Berlindieri – trim vines back and report during dormancy. Water once every 2 months or not at all depending upon your environment.
• Plumeria plants – Re-pot at this time. Do not trim branches now.
• Pseudobombax – trim branches and repot.

 

Know Your Plants Life Cycle

   Many plants go dormant in one growing environment while not in others.  In Southeast Florida, a tropical environment, the adenium plants slow growth and will lose some leaves but not all. The  Christia vespertilonis sometimes drops its leaves.  AdeniumRose Company LLC also know as Epic Grower LLC reduces watering to 1-2 times month instead of every week during plant dormancy.  This stresses the importance in doing your research on the plants in your garden or containers.  Image on left is a  ibervillea lindeimeri in full dormancy. Vines cut back to caudex.

      The ibervillea lindheimeri grows in sandy soils, mostly in coastal oak woods in Texas/Mexico, rocky hills and other areas. It getting hard and very rare to find in the wild. Also, known as Balsam Gourd, Globeberry. It develops a large white caudex, annual vines, dormant in winter. The ibervillea lindheimeri vines have long tendrils, small yellow flowers and red berries.

It develops a fat caudex highly desired and collectible. From the top of the caudex vines grow and very small yellow flowers. The flower as not the attraction but the caudex long vines and the fruit 25..30 mm in size. The vines die back to the caudex each year right before dormancy.

Ibervillea Lindheimeri Growing

The tree is deciduous and in spring the plant flowers before it produces the leaves.  The vies are thin and very flexible so they can easily be trained along a trellis, walls, etc.

Sun and Soil: Provide plenty of light during the growing season. Use well-draining soil keeping in mind its natural desert habitat. Keep away from moss and water retaining additives.  When growing in containers it better to grow in wide shallow pots. During the first few years do not expose too much caudex beyond what it does naturally.

The Pot and Water:  Yes, if you are container growing then do water the plant often during the growing season. Remember the soil is key to making the caudex grow and prevent root rot problems. Also, we do not place the plant directly in soil. Instead we have a layer of about 1″ of non-porous rock between the plant and the soil. The roots will penetrate the rocks down to the soil.  This rot of the caudex of the plant.

The ibervillea lindheimeri plant (globe berry plant) does not like standing water what-so-ever!  In the wild they can last a few years without any water when they are a mature size such as the ones being offered by AdeniumRose Company.  During the growing season we spray them with water twice a month and they do great.

Temperatures: The plant will tolerate short periods of sub-freezing temperatures. However, we highly advise that you protect it from sub-freezing temperatures. In its native habitat, the ibervillea lindheimeri plant is a desert plant which means it handle drought conditions.

In desert areas and similar hot climates protect the based from extreme heat. We grow the globe berry plant under our plant benches protected from direct sunlight and let the vines seek out direct sunlight.  The plant will produces several long vines that do great in the sun and heat.  In the summer our Florida location the daily temperatures in the 90’s with high humility (90% plus and Daily thunderstorms).

If you have any questions please post them here for a quick reply!

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    Pseudobombax Ellipticum plant also, known as the shaving bush plant, develops a great caudiciform. Great as a bonsai plant or cactus succulent garden.  Caudiciform plant refers to a fat, swollen stem, trunk, or above exposed ground roots (caudex) of the plant. The base of the pseudobombax, if grown in a shallow pot, will get large and fat (big). These are easy to grow plants.

Pseudobombax uses include wood for carving handicrafts. The attractive flowers are used to decorate homes and churches in Central America. In Central America, a highly intoxicating drink is made from the tree – warning we assume no responsibility what-so-ever in the use or consumption of any plant or plant part offered.  Do your research on uses of any plant.

Pseudobombax Ellipticum plant Growing info

Soil, water, sun and fertilizer

It’s a tropical so it will tolerate water but not standing water. Use good draining non-crusting soil.  Plant the pseudobombax plant in full to partial sun and irrigate regularly when in leaf, especially if growing in a container. Stay away from peat moss soils or soils that have moisture retention additives.

The bombax will take full and partial sun. As with any tropical type plant, the more sun you give the pseudobombax plant faster it grows. Mature bombax will tolerate short periods of cold (sub 32 degrees F) but its best to protect it if possible.

Fertilize the plant once during growing season with a time released fertilizer. We add a little Dyna-Grow K-L-N to water once a week for 4 weeks in the spring to help the plant establish new roots.  Then we use Dyna-Gro Grow the rest of the growing season.

Pot Grown Bombax plant

When you grow in a pot give it more water during the growing season and protect from extreme heat. Give it a bit of shade in the middle of the summer if you are in the southern regions of USA.

Use a bonsai pot or one that is wider than deep to get the caudex to grow fatter. Do not over size the pot for plant or it will grow slower!  It’s better to transplant during dormancy it once a year than to put it in  an oversized pot.

Dormancy period of the Pseudobombax  plant

During dormancy, fall/winter, the bombax will lose all its leaves. Reduce watering during this period. This is the best time to transplant/re-pot your plant. In late spring, the bombax plant will produce new leaves and spectacular short lived flower once mature.  As a landscape plant it’s not grown for its flower.

Dormancy is the time to raise the root system to expose more of the interesting shape. After raising it up protect the bombax plant from direct sunlight for 1..2 weeks to give the newly exposed roots time to harden. Also,reduce watering during this time.

Adansonia za madagascariensi baobab tree is native to Madagascar. These are considered fat plants, caudex form plants,  due to their thick trucks and root system. The plants offered by AdeniumRose Company are 2 to 3yrs old.  The roots are awesome (we re-potted them in January 2018). AdeniumRose Company grow these from seeds in shallow pots to force the roots to get fatter instead of growing deep. Bonsai lovers get them while you can!

Baobab Tree Growing

        It takes 2..3ys to get this big in the right environment from seed.  Know as the Tree of Life, the African Baobab tree has beauty along with practical uses which can be researched on the web. They go dormant during the winter and start sprouting leaves and new branches in late spring.

There are 35 varieties of the Baobab tree some easier to grow than others.  The Adansonia za madagascariensi is not one of the more common ones.  All are considered rare plants.

AdeniumRose Company grow these form seeds in shallow pots to force the roots to get fatter instead of growing deep. Bonsai – Yes these are would make great bonsai trees. The roots are thick but grown in shallow pots so they will suited for bonsai pots.

Baobab Tree Soil, Sun and water

The Baobab tree grows in arid lands that get seasonal water. During the none growing season they shed all their leaves. In late spring they the leaves emerge from the tips of the branches.  Once they are 1.5 to 2yrs old they will take 100% direct sunlight and tons of water during the summer.

The soil must be fast draining and allow to dry between watering.   During the dormant season we water them once a month.  We only grow these in pots to better control their environment.  We highly recommend bringing the Baobab tree in during winter when the temperatures get below 45 degrees.

Availability of the Baobab tree

AdeniumRose Company  had their first release of these plant in Spring of 2018. The plants offered are 2.5 yrs old well seasoned to 100% sunlight.  Once these are gone it will be at least 1.5yrs before we will offer more of this size.   We started with 49 of the Madagascar Baobab tree plants and now we have less than 7 left.  They do very well in shipment.   Currently, we are cultivating more of the Adansonia za madagascariensi variety of the Baobab tree and others for future release.

First notice:  We are adding a new name to our company to better reflect offerings of more Rare exotic and strange Plants.  Yes, we will keep the AdeniumRose name but will add a DBA (“Doing business As”).  Same company – same owners!

The neem tree plant, an easy to grow exotic tree, can reach a height of  49–66 ft when planted in the ground in zones 9 through 11. However, most people grow them in pots. It’s an evergreen but will lose leaves during severe drought conditions or cold weather.  Helps purify the air indoors too!

Great as a starter bonsai plant or grow for medical purposes. The branches are wide spreading which creates a crown.  Dried Neem leaves are used as a natural insect repellent and burnt in the tropical regions to keep away mosquitoes.

The neem tree provides attractive foliage as a indoor or patio. Protect it from cold. Unless you are growing as a bonsai plant put the neem tree plant in a 1..2 gallon pot for the first couple years. The plant will only grow as large as the pot allows.

Neem Tree Soil  Water and Sun

Use good draining soil mix. Do not use garden soil or potting soil with water management agents that retains water.   Yes, most cactus mixes will work.

Neem will handle a lot of water if you use the right soil but it does not need it. Let the soil dry between watering. No soggy soil what-so-ever.  Extended cool weather with temperatures below 35 F. (5 C.) will cause the tree to drop its leaves. Our advice is to bring them in due cold periods!

Yes, the neem tree likes the sun.  When you first receive your plant protect it from direct sun and high winds for the first couple weeks. After two weeks give it as much sun as you like!  Long hours of sunlight or filter sunlight is best for a healthy plant.

Fertilizer

AdeniumRose Company uses the same time released 6-6-6 or 7-7-7 (depending upon stock) as we do for our adeniums, plumerias, hoyas and other plants. During spring/summer (wet season) we supplement the neem tree with Dyna-Gro Grow to give it a boost of micro-nutrients once a month.

Neem Tree Usage

Tons of usages and starting to be highly sought after in the USA.   Uses include the bark, fast growing wood source, oil from the seeds as natural pest control, flowers for honey bees, decorative leaves, Bonsai and much more. Do your research before using an plant parts.

The neem tree is becoming a highly desired plant for its many uses and interesting leaves.  Most clients grow these in containers and they make great bonsai forests!

      The show stopping Dwarf Flamboyant or caesalpinina pulcherrima makes a great container plant and/or bonsai. The plant also know as dwarf Poinciana, peacock flower, Gulmohar dwarf Flamboyant or pride of Barbados grows 12-15 feet tall in the ground.  Most container grown average 5 to 6 feet (20 gallon pots) tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. The dwarf flamboyant grows as a tall bush with lower areas devoid of branches.

Here is southeast Florida they bloom just about year around. In other areas, expect spring through late summer blooming. The dwarf Poinciana tolerates pruning well so they would make great bonsai plants too. The flowers are very showy that are multi-color red, orange with some yellow very. The leaves are small fern like and resembles the Royal Poinciana or Flamboyant tree.

 Growing the Dwarf Flamboyant Plant

The Dwarf Poinciana (dwarf flamboyant) requires a tropical or near-tropical climate to grow in ground. It will handle salty and drought conditions. In the ground it loves fast draining soil and it will drop it leaves in the winter dormant period.

Prune the pant in late October or after first blooming not in spring. If you prune in spring you will lose several months of flowering. When your plants are young pick off the seed pods to force energy to plant grown not see growth.  Yes, you can reduce the number of trunks and create bonsai plants.

In rainy areas add time released fertilizer once every three months.  Fertilized with Dyna-Gro Foliage from spring through fall.

If container grown let it dry out between watering. Water to moisten the soil and make sure the soil drains well. Do not let it get soggy. When growing as a bonsai plant and using bonsai soil then make sure it does not dry out completely except during winter.  Watering: The plant is drought tolerant when mature during the winter time. In the summer, since it’s a tropical plant, it will handle lots of water.

It is not cold tolerant so during cold periods it will need to be brought indoors (dormant periods).  Yes, these are available through Adeniumrose Company LLC.  get yours now!

Fat plant Specimen size Dioscorea elephantides Mexicana plant were just listed on the Adeniumrose Company website.  These are rare plant know as Elephant foot genus Dioscorea Mexicana.  This is a caudex form fat plant with a above ground plant bulb done shaped with a woody exterior.  These fat plants plants are protected and special permits required to collect the plants.   It takes many years to get this big in the right environment.

Rare very Limited Availability Fat Plant

The dioscorea Mexicana plant exterior resembles an elephant foot due to the become more pronounced with age. In containers, they will grow with a diameter of 3 feet and height of 10..12 inches. The vigorous annual vines which may reach 30 feet (9 m) long before dying back in dormant period grow up from the caudex with heart-shaped leaves.

This fat plant goes dormant during the winter and start sprouting leaves and new branches in late spring. Have you review the other rare and exotic plants introduced recently? Other fat plants introduced include Pseudobombax and arabicum seedlings.

Growing the Fat Plant

Habitat: The elephant foot dioscorea has a wide tolerance of growing habitats: weathered rock,  dry stony slopes, under the protection of other bushes The plant is adapted to growing in areas with seasonal rainfall, by going dormant in the dry season. In its natural environment it rests during the hot dry summer.  Dioscorea elephantipes grows in the wet season. The above ground caudex is protected by elephantine bark while it rests. It is used to extreme heat (above 40°C), but it can also take low temperatures (-4°C).

Sunlight : The caudex requires shade/partial sun. The vine that grows out of the plant bulb prefers full sun. Place the bulb under the shade of a bush or bench and then let the vies grow up into the full sun and above! Yes you can use a trellis.

Soil/Roots: Your soil mix should be a minimum 50% inorganic pumice/lava rocks, and 50% organics.  Do not use a oversize pot or plant the bulb below the soil! Do not use moss or moisture retaining material! Only put a very small portion of the plant below soil (10% at most). We rest them in a layer of 1 to 2″ of rock and let the roots find the soil below the rocks.

New roots grow from the outer edge of the caudex, so they are best protected with a well drained layer of gravel. Roots will grow from above the soil into the soil.

Water/Fertilization: During the dormant period greatly reduce the amount of water given to the plant; a light monthly watering is needed at most.  When the stem dies back cut it about 3″ above the bulb.  Fertilize once a month using Dyna-Gro grow and add time released 7-7-7 during the rainy growing season once even 3 months.

Temperatures:  The  Dioscorea Mexicana can tolerate some cold but it better to protect it (better safe than sorry). In frost-free zones they typically go dormant during the dry season. In more temperate zones dormancy occurs in winter.

The release of rare plants including ones great to bonsai started last week.  Also, please see the spring release adenium plants: some new and some old favorites.  AdeniumRose company added dwarf pomegranate, pineapple guava agave and other rare plants.

The jumbo adeniums started to bloom last month. The jumbo desert roses are added to the Adeniumrose site as they bloom to give you images of the flower type. Please note we usually only received jumbo size adeniums once  a year.  They are 8..10yr old adenium plants so only a limited number are ready each year.  Dwarf arabicums adenium plants are new this year (released early March).

Exotic Rare Plants Why Are They Rare?

Expect to see the rare plant rainbow eucalyptus,  dwarf flamboyant, fat Baobab plants grown from seed (started 3yrs ago) and others.  AdeniumRose expanding inventory of rare plants including exotic looking ones will continue based upon client requests continues.

We are constantly asked for seeds and cuttings. Most rare plants are rare due to the scarcity of seeds, poor germination rate of the seeds (0% to 25%)  and difficulty getting them past  seedling stage or rooted cutting.  Otherwise they would not be rare.

Some rare plants are propagated by culture which is a very slow process. Culture growing means taking a thin tissue slice (microscopic in many cases) of the rare plant, putting it in a growing substrate. The grower waits until the rare plant is large enough to be placed in a growing 1″ liner.  These are not fast growing plants so it takes months from culture to 1″ liner. Once it’s in a liner (usually 72 plants in a liner tray),  it’s another several months until the liners are ready for growers (nurseries who grow not just sell).  The rare plants are transplanted into larger 2″ to 3″ pots  and given another couple months before offered to the plant collectors.  This process takes several months to years until the plants are larger enough to have a good survival rate for collectors.

Seed growing rare plants

Adeniumrose Company grows rare plants from seeds that are not commercial available. We do not grow from culture.  This year we started to grow christia vespertilionis from seeds purchased  in Germany and dwarf flamboyant (rare plant self collected seeds with permission). The Dwarf flamboyant germination rate is about 25% and the christia vespertilionis 17%.   We tried a USA source (twice) for the christia vespertilionis but 100% germination failure.

The christia vespertilionis is a very slow grower so do not expect any for several months if at all this year!  Plus the seeds are very rare so we will only have a few (less than 20 plants).   Presently, they are about 1″ tall (4 months since seed planted).

The dwarf flamboyant plant is a faster grower that gives us the ability to offer them later this year. The image is not one we have grow but from a mature plant.  In the ground, it grows to a bushy 5 to 7 feet.  It flowers year round in our area.

As a Bonsai,  it will develop a thick single or multi trunk with many branches.  You will not see this in most, if any, bonsai shops. Its a rare plant with low seed germination rate. However, we have a source (two full size trees) which we have exclusive rights to all the seeds pods.  The flowers are awesome!

Have a great first week of spring!