Desert rose Question

[chefmateo]

I've been playing with desert rose for several years..but I've run into a first. I was pruning back the long leggy growth for cuttings & leaving the shorter stuff closest to the caudex like usual. In my haste, I accidentally knocked off the little bud of leaves that was just starting to grow at the base & now I have a "naked" caudex with no leaves. My question is: will this eventually bud back or will I have to graft a new leader/branch onto this plant? Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Forsoothe!]

If this was a grafted variety, and you knocked off the lowest bud on the scion, then it would bud out from the rootstock, if it is healthy. Time will tell.

 

[chefmateo]

I got this particular one at Lowe's a couple years ago. It's been growing unchecked all this time..so I'd say other than this mishap..it's healthy. I do have some killer Thai varietals that I was considering taking a cutting or two & perhaps grafting into this caudex & perhaps have a multiple colored specimen. I've NEVER done any grafting...so I'm hesitant to attempt. Also..I've seen the flat graft technique on some youtube videos..however this one would require a "V" cut or some kind of notched graft to work...since there isn't a flat place to graft onto. Either way..if you say it'll come back..I may play it safe & just leave it alone. But the possibilities have me quite intrigued .

 

[Forsoothe!]

They are tough. Full sun & water. Too much drought will send them into dormancy which lasts for ~3 months.

 

[Dzhokar]

It will bud back. I cut all the growing tips from mine and they always do. Even from the caudex sometimes.

 

[chefmateo]

It is with great exclamation & relief that my desert rose is making a comeback!! Thank you to all who added to my post & may many horticultural blessings be bestowed upon yall!(I am in Texas )

 

[Dzhokar]

With a vengeance

 

[Forsoothe!]

The pruning looks a little... amateurish. Did you just break them off? On a serious tree those breaks would never heal right and would be vectors for disease that would eventually be the demise of the tree.

 

[Dzhokar]

The pruning looks a little... amateurish. Did you just break them off? On a serious tree those breaks would never heal right and would be vectors for disease that would eventually be the demise of the tree.

I wasn't going to say anything, hehe, but if it was mine I'd do a clean cut right under that knob then dry and seal the wound.
It will probably be fine but in more humid climates Adeniums tend to be prone to rot at pruning points.

 

[lehigh4me]

I use Titebond III waterproof exterior wood glue to seal the wounds on my desert roses. Works great.

 

[Carol 83]

Looks a little like ET sprouting a beard, lol. Glad it's bouncing back for you.