Desert rose as bonsai

[Mortalis]

I have recently acquired a desert rose. I am having a hard time locating any real information about it.

My questions are these

What is the correct watering of this tree. I have found information saying it can survive neglect but how much water does it like.

How often do you fertilize it.

Is in possible to make a good bonsai with this material.

 

[greerhw]

Sorry, but desert rose is not and never will be a bonsai, just a lovely flower.....

keep it green,
Harry

 

[emorrin]

The Desert Rose is more or less a succulent. I have mine in 100% NAPA #8822 Floor Dry and only water it once a week. It is not a "traditional" bonsai species. I cannot see why it cannot be made one though. The roots are thick and fleshy so it may take a couple of root prunes to get it into a shallow pot. I still have mine in a deeper pot but will work on getting it into a shallow pot next year or the year after. They can be grown indoors near a bright window (west or east depending upon which side gets the most sun). They do however do better outdoors.

Here are a few sites with some good info on this species:


http://www.tropicanursery.com/adenium/cultivation.htm
http://mgonline.com/articles/desertrose.aspx
http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/Fe...ose/adenium.htm

 

[Rick Moquin]

I have recently acquired a desert rose. I am having a hard time locating any real information about it.

My questions are these

What is the correct watering of this tree. I have found information saying it can survive neglect but how much water does it like.

How often do you fertilize it.

Is in possible to make a good bonsai with this material.

The first link by Emorin is probably the best on the net.

As mentioned adenium obessum is a succulent and requires water sparingly, it's reserve is in it's hump. Kept indoors once every couple of weeks or so.

Once a month except when in bloom

Although they are nice, they make terrible bonsai, although some fine specimens can be found in Asia. Our climate does not support decent bonsaiable growth.

 

[pauldogx]

Do a google search on Susan Amoy. She does alot of succulent bonsai. She is located in New York.
I am not sure if she has a website or not. She will certainly be able to answer your questions. She did a great presentation on succulent Bonsai at the Mid-Atlantic convention this spring.