What is the secret of the desert rose? How often should it be watered? 9 essential care tips

A Desert rose is one of the best known ornamental plants and used today, mainly for their beauty and exotic appearance. It is beautiful and can be used to decorate any environment, making the place more beautiful and attractive.

However, to be successful in cultivation, you need to know the characteristics of the species and know how to care for it properly. We will help you with this. Then read this text until the end to learn more about the desert rose and how to grow it properly.

What is the desert rose?

The desert rose is a plant species, scientifically described as Adenium obese which belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Originally it grows in the Sahel, an area slightly south of the Sahara Desert, in Africa, in countries such as Senegal and Sudan. But it is also possible to find the species in other regions of Africa and in Sudan.

In a natural environment, this is a large plant, reaching up to 5 meters in height. The width also draws attention and can reach 1.5 meters.

Therefore, it has large locations. However, for ornamental purposes there are techniques for cultivating the species in smaller spaces. This way it is possible to have a desert rose in potsso you can admire its beauty at any time.

What are the characteristics of the desert rose?

Basically, the desert rose is a succulent shrub with a very thick stem at its base. This happens because the plant comes from dry regions and accumulates water.

The large leaves with a spiral arrangement also characterize this plant. These have a very similar appearance to leather. When exposed to colder seasons, leaves may fall. The species also has tubular flowers with 5 petals, which can be of several different colors, such as:

• Branco;
• Rosa;
• Lilac;
• Red;
• Wine;
• Black, which may or may not have white details.

Due to the natural conditions of the plant’s origin, the Desert rose does well in very hot locations, with dry, very drained soil. Therefore, if you live in a cold place, it is very likely that your plants will not survive.

What is the meaning of the desert rose?

A desert rose carries with it a deep meaning. According to belief, This flower is a divine symbol that guides the lost to find their way.

It’s like a comforting message that even in adversity, there is beauty and hope that drives us to persevere. Just like the desert rose blooms in arid landswe too find the strength to move forward, inspired by his message of overcoming.

Desert rose catalog

If you want to have a desert rose, you need to learn to recognize this plant. It is important to know that it is very similar to the Adenium multiforme.

It is important to know how to differentiate the two so there is no confusion. The first issue is that the desert rose has a narrower trunk, in addition to going dormant during the winter. Therefore, it blooms between the months of May and August.

The petals are also different, of varying size, with a sharp appearance, as if it were a star. The color is reddish, but there are white borders.

There is also the Adenium somalense, which grows in Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania. This species is very large, reaching up to 15 meters in height. The wide trunk also draws attention.

There is still the Adenium socotranum, which is rarer, being the result of crosses between other species. It is also a large species, reaching 10 meters in height and 8 in diameter.

A Adenium arabica also has characteristics similar to the desert rose, while the Adenium oleifolium It is smaller and reaches a maximum of 1 meter in diameter, with slow growth.

Finally, you should know that there is still Adenium boehmianum, which grows in Namibia and southern Angola, which is a slow-growing poisonous species that takes years to flower.

How do you care for a desert rose?

O ccultivation of the desert rose requires prior knowledge to be successful. Only by knowing the needs of the plant is it possible to take good care of it and guarantee its vitality and durability.

1. Where to plant?

Ornamental species can be placed in a vase, but care must be taken when choosing the container. As it is a dry climate plant, Desert rose doesn’t like very wet soil. That’s why, The pot must have several holes for drainage.

2. Essential tips for preparing the vase

Preparing the pot correctly is essential to ensure the plant’s good growth. The first point is to keep in mind that its stem is strong and thick, as are its roots.

Then, line the bottom with stones and TNT to prevent the roots from exiting through the drainage holes. This avoids problems as the plant grows.

You will also need a substrate that simulates dry soil conditions. To do this, it is ideal to mix earth, coarse sand and earthworm humus, materials that are very easy to find.

But if your idea is to be specific, it is possible to obtain even more suitable materials in gardening stores. A ideal mix for desert rose is as follows:

• 65% vermiculite;
• 10% coconut fiber;
• 10% sand;
• 15% organic material

Adequate soil is essential to ensure good water drainage and thus prevent the roots from rotting.

Furthermore, it is important to leave the vase in a place with direct sunlight, where the temperature is always very high. This species does not survive at temperatures below 14 °C.

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3. How to make desert rose cuttings?

4. How often should the desert rose be watered?

As you have already seen, the Desert rose is a dry and hot climate plant. Therefore, excess humidity can lead to death. Of course the plant needs water, but if the soil is constantly wet, the roots will rot.

That’s why, Dip your finger into the potting soil every day. When you feel that the soil is really dry, then it is the right time to irrigate the plant..

And pay attention to the winter period, as the plant must be kept inactive. To do this, simply water the pot once a month. Don’t worry because the species is adapted to dryness.

5. Pruning and necessary care

The desert rose may be very beautiful, but its sap is toxic, with the potential to cause discomfort, nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Therefore, in addition to keeping it out of the reach of children and animals, you must be very careful when cutting leaves and flowers. Avoid contact with the skin and, above all, with the eyes and mouth as much as possible.

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6. Flowering

It is more common than desert rose bloom in springbut depending on the temperature and solar incidence this can also happen in summer and autumn.

7. Where to leave the desert rose?

A desert rose loves a sunbath! This plant is naturally passionate about heat, since its roots originate in hot climates. To keep you radiant, just find a sunny space and avoid temperatures below 14°C. It’s like giving a hug of light and warmth to this beautiful desert plant!

8. How to transplant

It is recommended that you do the desert rose replanting every two or three years at least. When doing this, it is recommended that you leave the base of the stem a little higher, leaving the roots visible.

9. Beware of Fake Desert Rose Seeds

The desert rose is a very beautiful plant, which has been widely used in decoration and ornamentation. Therefore, there is a market that revolves around it and there are also people with bad intentions who want to make money from it.

There are many people who sell seeds of other species. So, only buy from reliable suppliers, especially if you are looking for a specific flower color. As has already been said, the desert rose can have different flower colorsincluding black, which is rarer.

The way of cultivation is also very important for those who are going to purchase the plant already in a pot. It is important that cultivation has been done properly so that you can guarantee the exact color of the plant you are looking for.

Currently, it is common for cultivation to be carried out in controlled greenhouses. It is essential to ensure that there is no possibility of different crossings so that you can be sure of the color of the plant you purchased.

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What is the secret of the desert rose?

To make the desert rose small, the same bonsai technique is used.

A Desert rose is originally a large species, adapted for planting in pots. However, if you want to have a specimen like those in magazines and on the internet, you need to work hard so that it acquires the characteristic thick stem.

Therefore, the treatment is the same as that used for bonsai, which includes replanting, cutting roots and upper shoots, in addition to avoiding pests and fungi. Once every two years, it is essential to carefully remove the roots from the pot and add more substrate.

It is important to survey the roots during this process. This is an interesting technique used by bonsai artists, which makes the plant more beautiful and eye-catching. But remember that this is a plant that has toxic sap, making it dangerous for animals and humans. Therefore, handle with care and always wear gloves.

Conclusion

The desert rose is a very beautiful species, which has been widely used in ornamentation and is easy to maintain. It comes from an arid environment and can survive in extreme conditions of dryness and heat. But it doesn’t live well in low temperatures.

If you enjoyed getting to know the desert rose and want to have some vases in your home, use all the tips in this text to grow yours. Anyway, see more about plants in Decoration.

Updated and edited by Laila Lopes