This unusual succulent will be an instant conversation starter in your summer garden
Desert rose ( Adenium obesum , Zones 10b–12 ) is a slow - growing succulent that delivers attractively deep pink bloom throughout the summertime in the Southwest . you’re able to now chance loanblend that have orange , red , and undress heyday , but pink is still the most common color of bloom that you ’ll come up available . This industrial plant , also known as sabi star and mock azalea , originates from Africa , Madagascar , and the Middle East , which is why it flourish in warm desert climate . If you live below Zone 10b , you ’ll have to bring it indoors for the wintertime . While this may be a houseplant for most of us during the winter , it ’s extremely mutual in the Southwest and fly high outdoors in the summer .
Beware of overwatering and sunburn
Caring for your desert rose can be a mo tricksy at first . Knowing how much piddle it take and when will make or break your success . Since it ’s a succulent , it does alright with some dry spells , but overwatering will cause it to rot . However , its native comeuppance have rainy periods that move its growth jet . As a result , you should water it on a regular basis in the springtime and summer , although you will still want the soil to dry out out between waterings . It loves warmheartedness and sunshine , but the leaf can sear in the summertime heat , so finding it some midday shade will prove very beneficial . Its soil character is also very important to its wellness . It demand well - draining cactus grease mixed with some lava rock or sand to invalidate root rot .
Fertilize at the right time, and beware of bugs
inseminate your desert uprise during its growing period ( spring and summertime ) with a half dose of a 20 - 20 - 20 industrial plant solid food , but be sure to stop the fertilisation during the wintertime when it goes dormant . While caring for your plant , keep an eye out for mealy glitch , spider mites , and scale leaf . If you see any of these pest , I recommend using a cotton swab soaked in alcohol to address the problem areas . If necessary , spray your intact plant with alcohol to clear out the pests . Use a ratio of 1 part alcohol and 7 parts water when spraying to defeat all pests while debar drying out the plant .
Guard yourself, your kids, and your pets against sap
Desert rise , although stunning , can be exceedingly toxic to both humans and pets . The plant produces a milky sap that contains lethal toxins . I extremely recommend wearing baseball mitt when handling your desert rose . If you have peculiar pets , please keep the industrial plant out of grasp . To give you an idea of the carefulness you involve to take when growing this industrial plant , the sap contains cardiac glycoside — which is used to make poison arrows in Africa for large biz hunting , .
Propagation yields mixed results
Although I ’ve never tried propagating a desert rose , it is possible . you’re able to use branch cutting to propagate this flora , although what you may regain is that the new works will not get a stock , which is the large swollen tree trunk this plant is know for . The propagated stems run to be cheeseparing and less characteristic of a typical desert develop .
Desert rose is truly a gorgeous plant that will ineluctably be a conversation slice within your garden or dwelling house . It has been said to resemble a bonsai with its unique , vain trunk and crownlike flower structure . Whether in bloom or not , desert rose offer sinful visual pursuit . You will not be disappointed by lend this succulent to your garden .
— Sheila Schultz and Laurel Startzel are a female parent - girl duo who founded Denver Dirty fille Container Gardening while experience in Denver and have remain their commercial enterprise since proceed to Tucson , Arizona .
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Desert rose blooms with stunning, hot pink, hibiscus-like flowers all through the warmer months of the year.Photo: Bernard Spragg
Certain cultivars bloom with orange or red flowers.Photo: Laurel Startzel
Desert rose plants grown from seed develop large, swollen trunks called caudices that grow larger and rounder as plants age. Propagated plants may be missing this distinctive feature.Photo: Laurel Startzel
