Are you looking for a true exotic? Then bring the desert rose into your home. It looks great and is easy to plant.
The desert rose (Adenium obesum) originally comes from very hot, dry areas. In order to survive in the African steppe, she developed the principle of storing water in the trunk. The trunk takes on unusual shapes. If you want to plant a desert rose in your home, you have the choice between ungrafted plants and specimens grafted onto oleander. Both types need a bright, sunny and wind-protected location. However, the variants differ for the earth.
Prepare substrate and vessel
Desert roses are best planted in spring, because that corresponds to the natural rhythm of life of the plants. Depending on whether you want to plant an ungrafted plant or a grafted desert rose, you need different substrate.
➛ Ungrafted Desert Roses need a well drained substrate. A 40:60 mixture of normal soil and fill material works well. You can use pumice, sand, coconut fibers, small pieces of wood or perlite as filling material. So that the look is right, use coarse sand as the top layer, possibly mixed with soil. Alternatively, you can also use cactus soil. You can also achieve very good results with substrates such as Seramis or Lechuza, which always ensure good water drainage. The mineral composition meets the needs of the desert rose.
➛ Place grafted plants in normal garden or potting soil, which should also be loose and permeable.
The irrigation water must always be able to run off well. This is particularly important for the ungrafted desert rose. Therefore, put a thick drainage layer in the bucket. Of course, a drainage hole in the vessel is also necessary.
» Tip: If you want to repot your desert rose, then take the plant out of the old pot. Let them dry and then shake off the previous substrate from the roots. Then check the roots for rottingand remove suspicious root parts before replanting the desert rose.
Watering desert roses correctly
After planting, you only need to water very little, even potted plants for a week or two. Too much water after planting often means the premature death of the plant. Use low-lime water at room temperature and always allow the upper substrate layer to dry slightly. You can water grafted desert roses more vigorously.
As soon as the plant has established itself, water it more during the summer months and use a weak dose of cactus fertilizer every two weeks. But even then let the substrate dry in between! From autumn on, reduce the water supply and in winter do not water at all.
The right place for the desert rose
The desert rose develops best when it is warm, bright and sheltered, because the exotic plant does not like draughts. A sunny south-facing window, for example, is perfect. From an outside temperature of at least 12 degrees, the plant can also go outside. But please get used to the changed conditions slowly! To do this, first place them in the fresh air for just an hour. You can then gradually extend the time outdoors until the plant can remain outside entirely.