or... Desert Rose
I was gifted one a couple of years ago but it didn't last long. I thought it was finicky and come to find out I was somewhat right. My neighbor has a huge one in a pot on his patio. I marvel at it when I plant sit for them occasionally and wonder how his grew and my small one didn't. His has a very pale pink flower. I learned that they are a little hard to find in the stores and they can be a little pricey.
I also learned recently, that my boss, besides being a Christmas magician, interior decorator deluxe, and a good cook... he is also a master gardener. A few weeks ago, he excitedly showed me some pics on his phone of his newest "adenium obesesum". He uses correct botanical names for all his plants, even the beautiful artificial ones in the store. So, when he showed me the pics I said..."oh, a desert rose?" He got so animated and said "you know what it is?" A conversation followed about my attempt at one and how I was so puzzled by them. (I will add, now that I have been reading and watching videos on the internet, I ask myself why I didn't read about them before?) They are very interesting and the more I read the more I think that the botanical name of adenium obesum really is adenium obsession. Because, I think you could get obsessed by these!
Anyway, back to Paul the Master...he told me Lowes had them for 18.98, which he said was shocking and "they must not know what kind of plant these really are because usually this size is 40.00"! Naturally, because I'm like a sheep and tend to flock towards things, I went to Lowes the first chance I got. Actually, It was the day before Mother's Day and I told Chuck I'd like to get one.
So, as you can see, I didn't get just one...I got three. Although, one is going to be a housewarming gift for a friend. Also, I'm not sure I should compare myself to a sheep, as I believe they are not the brightest animal. Side note to back up that statement: when we lived in Montrose and the open farm land was still all around our house, the farmers would bring sheep in during the fall to eat down all of the old crops. More often than not, one sheep would start to run and they would all join the crowd and run like crazy to follow the first one who seemed to know where he was going. The first one would run himself right into the corner of the fencing while all the others plowed into him. This wasn't just a few either. Like maybe a hundred! Boom, boom, boom, they all just piled into each other and then would look around and finally the last ones "in" would turn around and mosey off allowing the others to follow. I can't tell you how many times we would see that happen. So, as I said, comparing myself to a sheep might be a baaad idea.
These desert rose plants however, I'm hoping are a good idea and I hope I can keep them alive!
Now, I grabbed a few photos off the internet because I want you to see how magnificently unusual these can be. They are native to Africa and people grow them like a bonsai tree. I find the trunks weird and interesting.
Look how big this one is. You are suppose to cut them back each spring to encourage the elephant like trunk to grow bigger and more gnarly. I'm guessing some of these are prize possessions when they achieve such a grand trunk and blooms that are so full!
Isn't this crazy?
Here are some in Africa. Native to the desert there.
We'll see how I do with mine. Paul says he waters them EVERY day. Our air conditioner repairman who was here last week (I'll share that story later) spotted them on my table out front and he got so excited! "You have adeniums?" He pulled out his phone and started showing me pics of his! He gave me a quick lesson on caring for them. Told me mine needed water immediately and said he waters his every OTHER day. Every day. Every other day. My neighbor says a good soaking once a week. So, I'm a little confused about the watering. Mine have already lost a few leaves that turn yellow overnight. A sign of stress and not watering properly. Paul says, just have fun and don't worry about it. If you kill it, "which you will" he said, you just try again. So suddenly, adenium talk is all around me. Well, who knew? It's like I just found out a secret underground club or something.
I'll let you know how it goes. If any survive. I can't imagine cutting them down at least half way next spring if they are still hanging in there. That will be a curious event.
Adenium obesums.
Learning something new all the time.
read about them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adenium_obesum
norma
