Desert Rose (not even related to the Rose), Mock Azalea, Impala Lily, Kudu Lily, Sabi Star (multiforum), or Adenium belong to the Apocynaceae family which includes: Allamanda, Oleander, Plumeria, Thevetia, Mandevilla, and Catharanthus.

 

     Adeniums are experiencing a huge famous growth and in great demand due mainly to the Hybriding. In the past, there were just common pink obesum, now the color range is variety with white through reds, pinks, yellows, peaches, burgundies, black reds, and black purples. Add to this stripes, shadings, ruffled petals, and even variegated leaves, it is easy to see why Adenium is growing so rapidly in popularity.

 

     Not only the beautifully flowers and leaves, Adeniums are also famous and high demand due to the beautiful unique swollen caudexes which are; boehmianum, oleifolium, socotranum, somalense, and swazicum. Those were Breeding and Hybridizing in Thailand until got its named in Thai such as; Petchmuangkong (PMK), Petchbanna (PBN), Rachineepandok (RCN), Petchnawang (PNW), and some in English name such as; Black Giant (BG), Black Knight (BK), etc.

 

     Adeniums are easier to grow than most people realize. Adeniums do not like to be over-watered (or it will lose leaves), and will give beautiful flower displays with little or no extra effort.

 

     Climate, Adeniums will grow happily in full sun in even colder climates as long as it is not left out in the cold (in between 54-61 degrees) during winter or prolonged rainy periods. Generally, grown in pots, excellent for Bonsai, yet left to grow, it will grace any patio, balcony, or in front yard with its unusual swollen caudexes and beautiful bunch blooms.

 

     Caring for Adeniums, they can be grown in a pot with good drainage, Adenium is easy to look after. Adenium here grow in a mixture that is 1 part peat, 1 part good river sand, 1 part quilken. Water sparingly and preferably in the morning. For feeding, monthly during spring and summer with controlled release fertilizer, as well as organic fertilizer. Pruning is primarily to keep in style.

 

 

(History)

 

     Adenium Obesum originated from East Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, is succulent and stand the heat in desert, called Desert Rose. First period, Adenium were found in the middle of the year 1752, by German scientist name P.Forsskai, in the middle of Kenya, and in the middle of Tanzania, which there was a report in the year 1753, the year he passed away and the year he was only 31 years old.

 

     After all, the report was studied by Josef August Schultes, Austrian. There was an argued between scientist due to the coming of new Plumaria, so there is and explanation between Plumaria and Adenium Obesum by the Department of Botany, Cracow university, to declined the differences, until accepted by all in the named of Adenium Obesum.

 

     6 years later, Johann Jakob Roemer from Zurich University, Switzerland, arranged type of flower by using Linnaeus system, and accepted named Adenium Obesum to print in the year 1820. Therefore, it has its named Adenium Obesum (Forssk) Roem & Schult.

 

     In Thailand expected that Adenium Obesum had arrived not less than 70 years ago. Even there is no proving that who had brought it. But it may believe that it had brought by Royal trip after they had visited other countries, by seeing Adenium Obesum.

 

 

(Characteristic)

 

     Adenium Obesum is in Apocynaceae family, Adenium lineage, common name, Mock Azalea, Desert Rose, Impala Lily, Kudu Lily, and Sabi Star (multiforum). There are plant in this family around 215 leanage, included perennial, bushes, until succulent such as Allamanda spp., Plumaria spp., Thevetia spp., and Caharanthus spp.).

 

     Adenium Obesum has 5 subspecies;

 

1. Adenium Obesum ssp. Boehmianum (Schinz) G. Rowley
2. Adenium Obesum ssp. Oleifolium (Stapf) G. Rowley
3. Adenium Obesum ssp. Socotranum (Vierh) Lavranos
4. Adenium Obesum ssp. Somalense (Falf.f.) G. Rowley
5. Adenium Obesum ssp. Swazicum (Stapf) G. Rowley

 

 

(Seedling)

 

     Equipments

 

1.      Seedling equipments;

1.1  Instant peat or

1.2  Good river sand mixed with coconut fuzz (quilken) 1:1 or

1.3  Loose soil mixed with coconut fuzz (quilken) 1:1

 

     2. Tray or short pot

     3. Sharp ended stick (for making holes)

 

(Processing)

 

1.      Fulfilled tray or pot with seedling equipment to spread out evenly, using sharp ended stick to make holes vertically.

2.      Place seed in middle of hole.

3.      Covered hole with seedling equipment thinly (or ¼ inch deep), then poured with mixed water and fungicide (if necessary).

4.      Place tray in nursery or under 50% sun filtered roof, water 1-2 times a day, takes around 3-14 days for germination.

 

 

(Nursing)

 

     While seedling has 3-5 leaves, started to give fertilizer by spraying plants every 5 days. These keeps seedling healthy, and fast growing. After 4 weeks, 4-6 leaves seedling, is a suitable time to transfer to bigger pot and suitable to bring out to full sun.