Joyful

Day 344: Given that most of the year is spent nursing along what appears to be 12-18" long sticks with a few leaves at the top, spraying them daily and watering the soil only when the pots become quite light, I have reason to be joyful when my Adeniums come into bloom. Indeed, "Joyful" is this one's varietal name, and it should be noted that all or nearly all of the large-flowered types of Desert Rose are grafted plants or reproduced with cuttings, although the question of "chicken or egg" sticks in my mind because somewhere there surely was a seed which produced the first plant with 3" flowers. In any event, I have not seen non-grafted plants with supersized blossoms for sale, although I have seen the small-flowered African native species offered. That said, anyone walking past my sunny, south-side kitchen window would probably wonder why I have sticks in flower pots occupying the ledge. Well, this is why.

Adenium Joyful

Day 267: Adenium "Joyful" joins "Plum Beauty" in filling my kitchen window with its showy flowers now, each bloom 2.5-3" across, albeit held aloft on nearly leafless 16" stems. What these "Desert Roses" lack in the foliage department is more than made up for by their floral displays. That said, daily misting has made an substantial improvement in the quality of new leaves, although I still feel they might benefit from even more frequent misting, maybe twice a day (at least when the window gets the hottest sun). Currently, I'm trying to find the right balance in demands for the spray bottle. Who needs it more? The plants or the kitten? It's become my Weapon of Choice for reminding the small hellcat of his manners.

Joyful Adenium

Day 237: I began my small collection (three, if the truth be told) of Adeniums with "Joyful," and it does a good job of living up to its name. This is the reward adenium fans get for tending a few leaves at the top of a potful of sticks: glorious outsized flowers which last a week or two before they begin to fade. The plants come into bloom two or three times each year, to be followed by a period of new foliage development. Almost invariably, one layer of leaves will drop as the stalk hardens and becomes more woody at the points of attachment, leaving the Adenium aficionado with taller sticks and roughly the same number of leaves. A succulent caudex forms at the base of the plant, a swollen stump from which the stems arise. Hybrid plants (those bred for their showy flowers) generally do not develop a caudex and are grafted onto non-hybrid stock. A desert plant, Adenium likes its soil on the dry side. During the non-blooming period, watering should only be done when the pot feels light when it is lifted. During the flowering period, watering can be increased, but soil should still be kept on the dry side. Adeniums demand phosphorus to flourish, but are sensitive to other fertilizer salts. If your plant drops too many leaves or if the leaves are wrinkled or discoloured, flush the soil thoroughly with water and then allow it to dry almost completely before watering again.

Aptly Named "Joyful"

Day 22: Adenium obesum "Joyful" is living up to its name. It is an intermittent bloomer (i.e., it blooms when it feels like it, as opposed to being on a seasonal schedule) and in the year I've owned it, it has put on three abundant flushes of trumpet-shaped flowers fully two inches in diameter or more. The flowers are borne atop sturdy stems which arise from a thickened trunk known as a caudex. Many of the Adenium hybrids available commercially will have been grafted onto a well-formed, mature caudex to increase market appeal. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, Adeniums like it hot and dry. Overwatering will cause root rot. While they are undemanding with respect to watering, they should be monitored frequently for evidence of pests, in particular red-spider and scale. "Joyful" has proven so rewarding for me that I will undoubtedly be adding more Adeniums to my collection in the future.

A Spectacular Show

Day 224: I have to admit that Adenium obesum "Joyful" is putting on a much more spectacular show than I'd expected. The first flower began opening two weeks ago and was in full display a few days later. That first bloom is not yet showing signs of wilting, and two more have opened beneath it with more developing on the primary stem. The second stem also has buds, although they're still small at this point. If the pattern of development holds true (and there's no reason it should not), the blooming season for this remarkable succulent will cover more than a month. Adeniums require special attention with respect to water requirements, demanding dry conditions in the dormant time and more frequent watering when the plant is growing/blooming. If I am successful in keeping this one alive for a year, I will certainly be considering adding more Adeniums to my collection.

Aptly Named Adenium "Joyful"

Day 214: "Joyful" is an apt name for this particular cultivar of Adenium obesum, a succulent found wild in sub-Saharan Africa. Many hybrids are available through specialty plant suppliers, but those most commonly available are likely to be the product of grafting onto sturdier true-species stock and would not develop the thickened base (caudex) if left to develop on their own from seed. Adeniums must be treated with some attention to their seasonal water requirements in order to be grown successfully. During the blooming cycle, they require more water; during the months of winter dormancy, they should be managed like cacti, allowing the soil to go nearly dry between waterings. A potting soil which drains well is essential. Otherwise, they may develop root-rot. This is a plant which loves it hot and dry! Set it in a sunny window and prepare to enjoy a spectacular display.