Growing adenium from seeds

Adenium (another common name is desert rose) is an amazing representative of the world of tropical flora, appreciated for its extraordinary decorative effect during flowering. During this period, the plant is covered with bright large flowers, giving it a very spectacular look. This delightful succulent can be grown from seeds that form in elongated pods. What are the nuances of growing adenium by the seed method?

The method of growing these succulents from seeds has both its pros and cons. This feature should be taken into account when intending to grow such an exotic plant as adenium in this way.

One of the obvious benefits of seed propagation of this flower is that seed specimens develop and grow with greater intensity... Florists also note that in such adeniums, caudex or stem root is very quickly formed - a lignified thickened area on the border between the stem and the roots. Thanks to this, the plant branches better and stronger, and its owner can modify the shape of the aerial part of the adenium at his own discretion.

The rapid development of the stem root and, as a consequence, the active formation of the aerial part, act as objective prerequisites for the exot to bloom earlier than planned. So, there are cases when adeniums grown from seeds bloomed already in the first year of their life (8–12 months after sowing). However, most often, the flowering of these seed-obtained succulents occurs at 2 or even 3 years.

Other advantages of the seed propagation method include its simplicity and availability. Even a novice and inexperienced florist who has not previously been involved in the cultivation of exotic plants can grow tropical succulents in this way.

However, here it should also be noted the disadvantages inherent in the seed method of reproduction of adeniums. First of all, this concerns the difficulties in acquiring fresh seeds suitable for germination. One of the important conditions for the successful and heaped formation of seedlings is the freshness of the planting material. Old seeds, stored for a year or more, most often turn out to be unviable.

Given this, florists recommend that you be very careful when purchasing seeds from online stores that do not provide information on the age of the planting material. When buying adenium seeds in flower shops, you should pay attention to the recommended shelf life. If the shelf life reaches several years, it is better to refuse to purchase planting material. Optimally, if the shelf life does not exceed one year.

In addition, in some cases, when growing adeniums from seeds, varietal characteristics may not be preserved.

Before sowing seeds, it is necessary not only to properly prepare and process the planting material, but also the soil.The preparatory stage is very important, since the health and quality development of seedlings largely depends on it.

Desert Rose Seeds look very modest. Visually, they look like small (1-1.5 centimeters long) rough sticks with pubescent ends. Seed color is light brown or brownish gray.

Fresh seeds germinate very quickly: the first shoots, as a rule, appear on days 2-3. In rare cases, seedlings are formed on the 5-7th day. At the same time, not only fast, but also good germination is characteristic of fresh planting material, which can be achieved by proper seed preparation.

Usually, preparation is carried out in several stages, providing antibacterial, antifungal and stimulating treatments. For antibacterial treatment, the planting material is soaked in a warm solution of potassium permanganate for about 40 minutes.

Antifungal treatment involves the use of fungicidal preparations. Most often, flower growers use funds "Fundazol" or "Fitosporin". The duration of seed treatment with fungicides is usually at least half an hour.

The final stage of preparation involves a treatment that stimulates the germination of seedlings. It is desirable, but optional, so some growers do without it.

To stimulate growth, use drugs "Epin", "Energin" or "Epin Extra", which are effective biological stimulants.

In the global network, you can find many recipes for preparing a soil mixture for germinating the seeds of an exotic succulent - adenium. In order for the planting material to germinate without any particular difficulties, it needs light, moisture and air permeable soil with weak or neutral acidity.

The easiest way to prepare a suitable seed germination mixture is to mix cactus soil with ingredients that improve drainage: crushed charcoal, crushed expanded clay, perlite or coarse sand. For the preparation of the soil mixture, soil and drainage components are used, mixed in equal proportions.

A more complex method for preparing a substrate involves mixing the following ingredients:

• coconut fiber (can be replaced with ready-made soil for succulents) - 2 parts;
• deciduous-humus earth - 1 part;
• crushed expanded clay - 1 part;
• perlite - 0.5 parts.

Crushed charcoal and coarse sand are added to the resulting mixture, which will make the substrate looser and provide good aeration of the roots for future seedlings.

Preparing the soil mixture of the required acidity and looseness, do not forget about disinfecting treatment. So, the sand is pre-calcined on a fire or steamed with boiling water already in the mixture. Some growers spill the substrate with a hot pink solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.

The container in which it is planned to sow the seeds is also subjected to processing. It is also scalded with boiling water or disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Before planting adenium seeds at home, a drainage layer is first laid on the bottom of the container (container). A wet substrate is poured over it, which is leveled, but not compacted.

Next, seeds are spread on the surface of the substrate. To plant them correctly, the seeds are placed on the ground horizontally (wide side) with an interval of about 3 centimeters from each other., after which they are slightly pressed down.When all the planting material is placed in a container, sprinkle the seeds with a small layer of substrate (no more than 1 centimeter thick).

The container is closed with a lid or covered with plastic wrap, and then sent to a very warm place.

The container with crops must be ventilated daily. To do this, remove the lid from the container or remove the film for about half an hour. It is important to ensure that the container with crops is not exposed to drafts and direct sunlight.

Every day, the surface of the substrate should be sprayed with soft, settled water at room temperature. To create the most comfortable conditions for germinating seeds, experienced growers recommend using the bottom heating of the container.

To ensure a friendly and quick emergence of shoots, the temperature in the room should be kept at least 32 °. At about the same temperature regime, adenium seeds germinate in their natural environment - the African tropics.

After the emergence of seedlings, further instructions for growing adeniums include the following steps, implemented step by step, namely:

• placing a container with seedlings in a bright and warm place;
• a gradual increase in the residence time of seedlings in an open container (without a lid);
• maintaining adequate lighting and constant temperature;
• picking seedlings into separate containers 2-3 months after sowing.

Transplanting mature seedlings into new pots is carried out together with an earthen clod. By using the transplanting method, the grower will help young plants avoid severe stress and root damage. For transplanting, it is allowed to use the same composition of the substrate that was used for germinating seeds.

After a pick, young adeniums should be in a room with a stable temperature, good lighting and sufficient air humidity. It is extremely important to protect them from accidental drafts, cold snaps and sudden changes in temperature. If the seeds were germinated in a season with a short daylight hours, you should also take care of additional lighting of the plants.

Despite the exotic origins of adeniums, growing them is relatively easy. One of the most unpretentious species that takes root even among inexperienced growers is obesum (thick adenium).

In order for plants to delight with their full development and regular flowering, optimal living conditions should be created for them, close to their natural environment. This assumes the fulfillment of the following requirements:

• sufficient illumination;
• optimal temperature conditions;
• compliance with the regime of watering and feeding.

These tropical succulents are very light-demanding. For normal development, adeniums need daylight hours, the duration of which is at least 12 hours. The use of special lamps allows you to compensate for the lack of natural light.

To grow healthy and regularly flowering succulents, it is important to maintain a stable indoor temperature. The most comfortable for them is the temperature range within 30-33 °. A short drop in temperature within 5 ° is not dangerous for these plants, however, strong drops should be avoided. It is also not recommended to increase the room temperature over 38 °. Such conditions cause severe discomfort to adeniums and can provoke their wilting.

Watering the plants is required regularly, but in moderation. These representatives of the tropical flora painfully tolerate the increased humidity of the substrate, which often causes rotting of their roots. During the period of intensive development of the succulent, as well as in hot weather, the frequency of watering must be increased. In this case, it is important to ensure that the soil mixture in the pot does not dry out, but is slightly damp. It is not necessary to spray the plants in hot weather.

During the rest period, the frequency of watering is significantly reduced. Also, adeniums are watered much less often in the cool season. The need for the next watering is indicated by a completely dried out substrate.

Plants obtained from seeds can be fed as early as 2-3 months of life.

Often, beginner growers complain that their adenium grows poorly and for a long time, does not form flower ovaries, and looks lethargic and painful. Most often, this happens due to a violation of the rules of care.

Such symptoms can occur when the plant is overcooled, which often happens when the room is carelessly ventilated. Sometimes such situations arise in the case of placing adeniums on the balcony and a sudden cold snap at night.

Lack of lighting is another common cause of poor growth in tropical succulents. For normal development, they need abundant, but soft lighting. Direct sunlight is harmful to plants: they can cause burns and thermal damage to leaves and delicate buds.

If all the rules for caring for a flower are followed, it is necessary to subject it to a thorough examination for traces of diseases and pests. You should also check the condition of the substrate, in which whole colonies of parasites are often formed.