How to Grow Adenium From Stem Cuttings

 

The Adenium plant which is also called desert rose is actually a beautiful flowering succulent plant that is known for its thick swollen stem, colorful blooms, and the plant has the ability to thrive in hot climates. A lot of gardeners actually grow the Adenium plants from seeds, but growing the plant from stem cuttings are one of the fastest and the easiest ways to produce a new plant that really looks exactly like the parent plant. Growing the Adenium plant from stem cuttings also helps the Adenium plant bloom earlier than the seed-grown Adenium plants.

Furthermore, if you really want to multiply your Adenium plants at home, this article actually explains everything you need to know about growing Adenium plant, from selecting the Adenium plant stem cutting to caring for the young Adenium plant.

Why Grow The Adenium Plant From Stem Cuttings?

Growing the Adenium plant from cuttings has a lot of advantages:

·  Growing Adenium plant from cuttings ensure faster growth compared to growing them from seeds

·  Growing Adenium plant from cuttings ensure early flowering

·  The new Adenium plant actually keeps the same flower color and characteristics as the parent plant

·  Growing Adenium plant from cuttings is an easy method for beginners

·  Growing Adenium plant from cuttings has low cost because you use part of an existing plant

On the other hand the Adenium plant grown from cuttings may not develop the large swollen caudex base as strongly as seed-grown plants. Be that as it may, they are still attractive and healthy plants.

The Best Time to Take Adenium Plant Cuttings

One of the best time to propagate Adenium plant from stem cuttings is during warm weather condition when the Adenium plant is actively growing. Actually Spring and early summer are the best because warm temperatures can encourage quick rooting.

Make sure you avoid taking the Adenium plant cuttings during the cold or rainy seasons because excess moisture can easily cause the plant stem to rot before roots form.

Materials You Need To Get Started

Before starting you need to gather all these materials:

·  You need a good and healthy Adenium plant

·  You need a sharp pruning shears or knife

·  You need a small pot or container

·  You need a well-draining potting mix

·  A rooting hormone (this one is optional)

·  A good gloves

·  A good watering can

The Adenium plant produces a milky sap that can actually irritate the skin, so wearing gloves is highly recommended.

Also read: How to Grow Tulips From Seeds

Choosing the Right Adenium Plants Stem Cutting

Make sure you select a healthy Adenium plant branch from the parent plant. The Adenium stem should:

·  Be green in color and also healthy

·  Adenium plant branch should have no signs of disease or pests

·  Adenium plant branch should be about six to eight inches long

·  Adenium plant branch should be slightly mature, not too soft or too old

Using strong the Adenium plant cuttings can actually increase the chances of successful rooting.

How to Take the Adenium Plant Cutting

You can use a clean sharp knife or a pruning shears to cut the Adenium plant stem. Just make a clean cut just below a leaf node.

After cutting:

1.    You can remove the leaves from the lower part of the Adenium plant stem.

2.    You need to let the cutting dry in a shaded place for about two to three days.

3.    You need to allow the cut end to form a callus.

Actually this drying period is extremely very vital because it helps prevent stem rot.

Preparing the Potting Mix For Planting

The Adenium plants actually dislike heavy wet soil. The rooting medium must drain water fast.

A good potting mix can contain the following:

·  Perlite

·  Coco coir

·  Cactus or succulent soil

·  Coarse sand

You can easily mix an equal part of sand and succulent soil to ensure good drainage.

Make sure you avoid using ordinary garden soil because it can retains too much moisture.

Planting the Adenium Plant Cutting

Once the Adenium plant cutting has dried and formed a callus:

1.    You can easily fill a small contain with the prepared potting mix.

2.    You need to dip the cut end into rooting hormone if available.

3.    You need to insert the Adenium cutting about two to three inches into the soil.

4.    Make sure you press the soil gently around the Adenium plant stem to keep it upright.

Don’t water the Adenium plant heavily immediately after planting.

Watering the Adenium Plant Cutting

You need to water the Adenium plant lightly after planting. Make sure the soil is slightly moist but never soggy.

Don’t forget that too much water is the main reason the Adenium plant cuttings fail. Since the Adenium plant cutting has no roots yet, excessive moisture can easily cause rot.

A good rule is:

·  To water the plant only when the soil feels dry

·  To also avoid daily watering

·  To also reduce watering on the plants during cloudy weather

Providing the Right Environment For The Adenium Plants

Make sure you place the container in a warm bright location. The Adenium plant cuttings root best in temperatures that is between 25°C and 35°C.

Make sure the Adenium cutting receive:

·  A bright indirect sunlight at first

·  A proper and good airflow

·  A warm temperatures

Try as much as possible to avoid harsh direct afternoon sun immediately after planting the Adenium because it may stress the plant cutting before roots develop.

Adenium Plant Root Development

The Adenium plant stem cuttings usually develop roots within two to six weeks depending on the temperature and humidity condition.

The signs that rooting has started are:

·  The Adenium plant new leaf growth

·  The firm plant stem

·  The Adenium plant resistance when gently pulled

Once the Adenium plant roots are established you can gradually expose the Adenium plant to more sunlight.

Transplanting the Young Adenium Plant

After the Adenium plant cutting has rooted well you can carefully move it into a slightly larger container.

Make sure you choose a pot with drainage holes in other to prevent waterlogging. The Terracotta pots actually work especially well because they really help excess moisture evaporate.

You can use a succulent or cactus soil mix during the transplanting.

Sunlight Requirements For Adenium Plants

The mature Adenium plants really love sunlight. Once the Adenium plant rooted cutting becomes stable, you need to provide at least six hours of sunlight daily.

Adequate sunlight really helps:

·  To encourage the plant flowering

·  To strengthen the plant stems

·  To prevent weak growth on the plant

·  To improve overall health of the plant

If the Adenium plant is grown indoors, you can place the Adenium plant near a sunny window.

Fertilizing The Adenium Plant

After the rooting and the active growth of the plant begin, you can easily feed the plant with fertilizer.

You can use:

·  A good balanced liquid fertilizer

·  A low nitrogen fertilizer for the flowering Adenium plants

·  Fertilizer every two to four weeks during growing season

Make sure you avoid over-fertilizing because it can easily damage the Adenium plant roots or produce excessive leafy growth instead of flowers.

Pruning and Shaping The Adenium Plant

Pruning the Adenium plant helps the plant become bushier and produce more flowers.

Make sure you trim the long branches occasionally in other to encourage side shoots. Make sure you always use clean the tools and also allow the cut surfaces to dry properly.

Pruning the Adenium plants is best done during the active growth periods of the plant.

Also read: How to Grow Hibiscus From Cuttings

The Common Problems When Growing Adenium Plant Cuttings

1. Stem Rot

Actually stem rot is the most common issue with Adenium plant.

The causes are:

·  Overwatering of the plant

·  Also poor drainage

·  High humidity condition

·  Planting the Adenium before callusing

Ways to avoid rot:

·  You can easily use fast-draining soil

·  Make sure you water the plant sparingly

·  Let the Adenium plant cuttings dry before planting

2. Yellowing of Leaves

The yellowing of leaves may result from:

·  Too much water on the plant

·  Poor sunlight on the plant

·  Stress after planting the Adenium cuttings

Generally, the Adenium plant recovers once proper care is provided for the plant.

3. Slow Rooting

Slow rooting on the Adenium plant can really happen in cool weather condition. Warm temperatures actually speed up the Adenium plant root growth significantly.