Adenium plant, belonging to the Dogbane family (Apocynaceae), is native to the deserts
of south and east Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In their native
environment, Adeniums flower in late winter, producing an abundance of pink to
red somewhat tubular flowers that, if pollinated, produce long fingerlike
double fruits. Oleander is in this family and the similarity in flower is
obvious. But unlike oleander, Adenium obesum is a succulent plant. It is able
to store water in its stem and branches to sustain it through seasons of little
or no rainfall. It is this succulent characteristic that makes it most
interesting in appearance and also makes it ideally suited to container culture
here in the arid southwest.
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| Adenium |
Light
Requirements: Adenium obesum needs the maximum amount of light available, up to
and including full sun, during its growing season. Here in the Southwest our
growing season can safely be considered to extend from April through October.
During this time, Adeniums
should be grown in very bright light and if the plant is large enough, in full,
blazing sun. Bright light in this case does not mean a south or even a west
window in the home. For the very best growth these plants should be grown
outdoors in filtered sunlight like that under the canopy of a sparsely branched
tree (mesquite), or near the edge of the canopy of a more densely branched tree
(blue palo verde). If the specimen is of sufficient size, it can be grown in
full sun. As a general rule, if the plant requires a ten-inch or larger pot, it
should do well in full sun. This is not to say that large plants have to have
full sun. They will perform quite well in light shade.
At the end of the
growing season, with the lowering of temperatures, Adeniums will drop their
leaves (usually) and go dormant. It is at this time that the plants can and
should be brought indoors because of the possibility of freezing temperatures.
They do not need much light at this time, but they should not be put in the
dark. Preferably, a south or west window would be best, but any bright location
in the home should suffice. In warmer areas in the Southwest, a covered porch
near the house will work for overwintering Adeniums.
It is important to note that the plant must be returned to proper light
conditions prior to resuming growth in spring. If it starts to leaf out and
grow indoors (this is possible all winter long if house temperatures are too
high) these leaves will sunburn and probably drop off when put outside.
However, if this does occur the plant will usually recover quickly and simply
re-leaf with sun adapted leaves. It is also possible to sunburn the stems if
the plant is put out into full sunlight too quickly or before it has leaves.
This is more serious but can be avoided by easing it out into full sun, or
taking steps to temporarily shade the stems in some way (e.g. cut branches from
any available tree or shrub and lay them against the stem for several days).
Under some conditions, Adeniums can be grown indoors, but only in rooms that
have a multitude of windows (and preferably a skylight) with extremely bright
light and good air movement. It is also recommended that the container be
periodically rotated to prevent one-sided growth. If grown indoors, the plant
probably won’t go dormant in the fall unless water is withheld.
Reference : Adenium Basic Care
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