Adenium obesum (Desert Rose)

Earlier this year I started collecting Adeniums as they are small and unique and I don't have room for any more large plants. I got three from Spain, same supplier but at different times, They are mixed colour and single petal. So, I got a pack of 10 seeds, mixed colour, multi petalled. I sowed them on 11 August (there were 11 in the pack) and yesterday I had nine up. Two to the right are not up yet. It is very grey today so when it is bright I will take a photo of them.

 

That's good germination.

 

Another one popped up overnight, so just one to go ... but I am happy with ten as maybe they will not all survive. They are just left to their own devices outdoors. They are just in cheap compost, no sand added.

 

Its amazing how they start forming the caudex right from germination.
The seedlings actually resemble cactus seedlings at that stage.

 

I am quite surprised as I am doing nothing special, just spraying with water twice day. I got these seeds from Seeds of Malta.

I looked back and I bought seeds back in July 2017 and I remember five germinating and they grew quickly, one particularly with a bulbous caudex. Then I had my accident in the October and they were totally neglected and died. So I am delighted to be able to do them again and keep a record of progress.

 

I'm sure you are doing a grand job, but it does show how fresh good quality seed will grow if given the chance.
I think all too often seed sellers like to make the germination part sound so difficult and often its just to mask the fact that the seed they sold you is old and unviable.
You then go away with the idea that you did something wrong and that is why you failed.

My Plumeria seed I bought on E bay are turning out to be some nice little Zinnia plants, but I bought some from a UK supplier and these are germinating now, sellotaped to the window.
Their suggested method.

 

Thank you Pete and I agree regarding the viability and complicated methods of germination some sellers advocate.

That i funny with the Plumeria seeds. Like the Adenium, I just plonked mine in compost on its fatter end with tail poking up. I will get a shot of the two later that have germinated. I think I planted them the week before the Adenium.

 

I put 4 in by their method and two are in pots with the wing sticking out.

 

Here are my three from Spain, Esmeralda, Santana and Pedro.


These are my two Plumeria ...no names ...

 

Things have slowed down here. Still just 10 Adenium, a closer shot of a few this morning starting second pair of leaves ...


And still just two Plumeria but with totally different leaves ...



@pete How are yours on the windowpane going?

 

Well I got 6 Plumeria seedlings from 6 seeds, so 100% germination by both methods.

The two cuttings I purchased are yet to root, or is that rot, but I live in hope.
I was a slightly fed up to find that the cuttings were take from seed grown plants that haven't yet flowered, so an unknown quantity.
There doesn't seem to be much stock of good known flowering plants in the UK unless you want to spend a lot of money.

 

Oh, how excellent! You will have a mini forest.

Both my Adenium and Plumeria are "mixed" so perhaps the leaves can be different too. I guess I shouldn't complain about them slowing down as I only planted the seed on 11 August, less than a month ago, which is late in the season and since mine were started and live on the coffee table out front just as is. I have suggested perhaps Jim lean a piece of glass on the granite slab in The Courtyard leaning against the kitchen wall as a conservatory for the colder months.

 

I think there are at least a couple of Plumeria species, so differing leaf shapes are possible.

I'll see how things go but might set mine up under lights if they are still small enough come the winter. Sod the expense.

 

Went out today for the afternoon and left my greenhouse top on my baby Adeniums ... I was horrified when I came home and discovered them 'burnt' ...

 

Was they in full sun?